The national defense budget as the basis for the “Austrian Armed Forces Development Plan 2032+”.

“The State Defense Financing Act offers the basis for a longer-term financing perspective for the Federal Army, which goes beyond the federal financial framework. This meant that last year we were able to make significant progress in many military areas in the implementation or introduction of necessary measures in the 'Austrian Armed Forces Development Plan 2032+',” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.

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The procurement of state-of-the-art new weapon systems, keyword “Sky Shield” or helicopters, as well as performance-related pay, combined with social benefits adapted to the standards of the 21st century, should be an incentive for young people to choose the military profession. Intensive personnel recruitment began last year with the “Mission Forward”.

Domestic operations

As part of the security police operation “Migration” and the guarding of critical infrastructure in Vienna, the Federal Army provided 336.700 (370.640) man-days, apprehended around 22.350 (60.000) strangers seeking help and around 70 smugglers (100). (The numbers in brackets refer to 2022.) What should be highlighted is the extension of the guarding of critical infrastructure in Vienna, currently with around 150 people, until the end of February 2024.

Auslandseinsätz to

There are currently almost 900 soldiers deployed abroad in 15 missions; including 31 women. The strongest contingents are in Kosovo (KFOR 304), in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR 301) and in Lebanon (UNIFIL 226). A special feature was the dispatch of crisis support teams to the Middle East, primarily members of the hunting command, to support the evacuation operation of Austrian citizens.

Air Force

Over 14.000 flight hours were flown by the air force without any accidents. Two airspace security operations (World Economic Forum in Davos and visit by the Israeli President) were the highlights of the aviation missions. A helicopter element with an S-70 “Black Hawk” and an AB 212 as well as a Pilatus Porter PC-6 are deployed abroad (EUFOR/ALTHEA). As part of the modernization of the helicopter fleet, the fifth (of 36) AW169 “Lion” is now available. landed in Austria.

Infrastructure

As part of the Villach spatial planning, the decision was made to merge the troops stationed in Villach, the Pioneer Battalion 1 from the Rohr and Hensel Barracks and the Command Support Battalion 1 from the Lutschounig Barracks, into a new large barracks. Around 370 million euros are being invested in the construction of the most modern barracks in Austria. In addition to this major project, a large number of other construction measures were implemented or initiated. This ranges from the greening of the façade of the Vienna Stift barracks to the expansion of the campus at the Theresian Military Academy, the new building of the barracks in Mistelbach, and the new construction of the position house in the Van Swieten barracks.

The sustainability of 100 properties (“black-out precaution”) is being further advanced. Scheduled completion at the end of 2025.

Mining service

In 1.042 missions, the demining service recovered and defused 50.858 kilograms of war material. Of these, around 100 kilograms were taken from Austria's lakes during three diving missions. In September alone, 16 USSR unexploded bombs from World War II (2 x 4 kilograms, 100 x 12 kilograms) were born and disposed of at a construction site near Enzersdorf-Fischa.

Cyber ​​Defense

Due to the current political tensions in and around Europe, there is an increased risk situation, including in cyberspace. Every second, several security-relevant events are detected and, for the most part, averted automatically. Furthermore, around 30.000 new vulnerabilities were discovered. The need of the hour was and is therefore to provide the experts in the armed forces with the most modern technology in order to be able to effectively counter threats in cyberspace.