The armed forces have adopted a new communications system

The handover of the new “Tactical Communication Network” (TCN) communications system took place on Monday, March 18, 2024. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner handed over the new system to the Command Support School in the presence of Major General Harald Vodosek and Major General Hermann Kaponig.

The communication system creates essential prerequisites for digitalization. In addition, the successor to the telecommunications Pinzgauer, the IVECO Multirole Utility Vehicle (MUV) “Noriker”, was presented for the first time. 185 of these are to be delivered in different variations by 2025. The first 55 units are already with the troops.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “Communication and digitalization are two essential factors that we must pay close attention to. This makes it even more important to invest in an excellent system with military robustness. I am very pleased that with the handover of the new communication system 'Tactical Communication Network' we have created further prerequisites for digitalization and thus for a modern armed forces. And with the new IVECO MUV 'Noriker' vehicle we have found a unique replacement for our Pinzgauer. This is a quantum leap for our armed forces!”

The “Tactical Communication Network” is a new deployable communication system. The system meets the requirements of modern data and voice communication that is based on military robustness. It forms a digital command network that promptly provides information and orders as well as an up-to-date picture of the situation. 388 sets were purchased for the transmission elements. These are installed in swap bodies, shelters and containers and used in operating, transport and storage boxes.

Successor to the Pinzgauer presented

In addition to the TCN, the successor to the telecommunications Pinzgauer, the IVECO Multirole Utility Vehicle (MUV) “Noriker”, was presented for the first time. The 180 hp vehicle, with a maximum permissible total weight of seven tons, was purchased in different versions. In addition to the telecommunications devices, the vehicle will be used in NBC defense, as an analysis vehicle and in the rescue element. These vehicles are all unprotected and have no on-board weapons. The first 55 units are already in use by the leadership supporters. The remaining 185 vehicles are to be handed over to the troops by 2025. With the support of the domestic infrastructure and the materials used by the companies EMPL and CanCom, the Austrian value chain is around 80%.

The leadership support school is the central training facility for leadership support staff. The focus is on the specialist training of officers, non-commissioned officers and the specialist civilian employees. The cyber basic military service training for the east of Austria is also located here. The leadership support school is also responsible for creating the necessary foundations for training and teaching as well as various regulations and for providing technical contributions.