Austria's Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) held the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the infrastructure in front of the "Hall IV" at Brumowski Air Base in Langenlebarn on Tuesday. This is needed because three more S-70 “Black Hawk” will be stationed. In addition, four apprentices, two young women and two young men, were honored for their graduation as aircraft technicians with distinction or good success.

The army's "Black Hawk" fleet is currently being upgraded and expanded. Of the nine helicopters stationed in Austria, three have already been retrofitted and brought up to the latest technical standard; another six are approaching. Three additional "Black Hawks" have already been purchased and are currently being technically upgraded and will then complete the fleet to twelve helicopters.

The Brumowski air base in Langenlebarn is currently being prepared for the operation of the then larger and technically more sophisticated "Black Hawk" squadron. With the expansion of the infrastructure in the "Hall IV" area, the prerequisites for optimal operation of the S-70 "Black Hawk" are created. In addition, the Armed Forces have long been investing in high-quality training for their aircraft technicians. Four apprentices, two young women and two men, have recently successfully completed this demanding and exciting training, three of them with excellent results, one apprentice with good results. In the future, all four of them will strengthen the aircraft hangar in Langenlebarn and contribute their specialist knowledge to the maintenance of the helicopters.

“With the arrival of three more S-70 'Black Hawk' both infrastructural and personnel measures are necessary. Today's groundbreaking for the extension of the necessary storage areas with all technical facilities is an important step in this direction. I am also particularly pleased to be able to congratulate four young people today on their excellent completion of their apprenticeship training. And most importantly, their commitment to continue making their aerospace engineering skills available to us," said Secretary of Defense Tanner.

The S-70 "Black Hawk" is a multi-role helicopter with two engines, each producing 1.940 hp. This drive gives the helicopter excellent high-mountain suitability. The helicopter, which is used successfully in 24 countries worldwide, offers its occupants a high level of protection and safety (crash resistance) and is characterized by low personnel and maintenance costs.