Austria's Military Might: A Comprehensive Overview

Austria does have a military, known as the Austrian Armed Forces or Bundesheer, which consists of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists. The Austrian military is divided into the air force, land-based forces, special forces, and cyber forces. The country's military budget is 1.0% of national GDP (approximately €3.317 billion in 2023) and its main constitutional tasks include protecting the country's institutions and population, maintaining internal security, and providing assistance during natural disasters.

Austria's military history

The Great Turkish War and the 18th Century

Austria played a prominent role in the Great Turkish War, securing several notable victories. This was followed by renewed conflict with France along the Grand Alliance, where Austria and its allies managed to secure victories in Turin and Blenheim, and successfully crushed uprisings in Hungary and Bavaria.

In the 18th century, Austria faced invasions from the Ottoman Empire, with the military genius Prince Eugene of Savoy leading successful defences in the battles of Petrovaradin and Belgrade, expanding Austria to its greatest territorial extent. However, the Austrian military skill declined in the 1730s, resulting in crushing defeats against the French and Ottomans at Guastalla and Grocka, leading to significant territorial losses.

The Napoleonic Wars

During the Napoleonic Wars, Austria initially suffered setbacks, with Napoleon Bonaparte defeating the Austrians in North Italy. Despite attempts at military reforms, Austria continued to face defeats at the hands of Napoleon's forces at Marengo and Hohenlinden. The Napoleonic Wars were highly unpopular in Austria, and the country eventually joined forces with Britain, ultimately contributing to Napoleon's defeat and surrender.

Post-Napoleonic Wars to World War I

After the Napoleonic Wars, Austria enjoyed a relatively peaceful period from 1816 to 1847, dealing primarily with minor rebellions and naval expeditions in Morocco and Egypt. However, in 1848, Austria faced two dangerous revolutions, requiring the mobilisation of its army. The country's military strength was weakened by these revolutions, and it became isolated after the Crimean War to avoid another Hungarian revolution.

In the second half of the 19th century, Austria was engaged in various conflicts, including the Second Schleswig War against Denmark and the war against Sardinia, which resulted in French intervention and a decisive Austrian defeat at Solferino. The most significant conflict during this period was the war against Prussia for German leadership, which Austria lost due to superior Prussian leadership, troops, and resources. This marked the beginning of Austria's permanent military decline.

World War I and Interwar Years

From 1867 to 1918, the Austro-Hungarian Army served as the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During World War I, the Austro-Hungarian military faced setbacks on multiple fronts, including the Serbian Front and the Italian Front. Despite some initial victories, the Austro-Hungarian army became dependent on German support and ultimately suffered heavy losses.

After World War I, the military forces of Austria were known as the Volkswehr ("People's Defence") until 1921. In 1921, the name was changed to the Bundesheer ("Federal Army"), which it has been known as since. During the interwar years, Austria maintained a relatively small standing army and focused on protecting its neutrality.

World War II

During World War II, many Austrians served in the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS. Elements of the Austrian Army were integrated into various divisions of the Wehrmacht. In 1945, with the end of World War II, Austria was occupied and underwent denazification.

Current military strength

The Austrian Armed Forces, also known as the Bundesheer or Federal Army, is the combined military force of Austria. In 2024, Austria ranked 71 out of 145 countries in the Global Firepower review, which assesses countries' Power Index scores. Austria's Power Index score was 1.2351, with a score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional.

Austria's military consists of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists, giving a total military personnel estimate of 141,600. The military budget is 1% of national GDP (including pensions) or €3.317 billion (2023, without pensions).

Austria's air force, or Luftstreitkräfte, is considered a constituent part of the army. The air force has a range of aircraft, including:

• 15 Eurofighter Typhoons
• 28 Saab 105 trainers, which double as reconnaissance and close air support planes
• 23 AB 212 helicopters used as light transport
• 24 French Alouette III used as search-and-rescue helicopters
• 10 OH-58B Kiowa used as light scout helicopters
• 9 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
• 3 C-130K Hercules transport aircraft

The Austrian military also has a Special Operations group known as the Jagdkommando. The duties of this elite unit include counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency.

In terms of land forces, Austria has:

• 58 tanks
• 848 vehicles
• 53 self-propelled artillery
• 0 towed artillery
• 0 MLRS (Rocket Artillery)

Austria is constitutionally non-aligned and is not a member of NATO, but it joined NATO's Partnership for Peace framework. The Austrian military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons systems from European countries and the USA.

Military equipment

The Austrian Armed Forces, also known as the Bundesheer, have a wide variety of equipment. In recent years, Austria has spent significant sums of money on modernising its military arsenal.

Infantry Equipment

The Austrian Armed Forces' standard-issue assault rifle is the StG 77 A1 MOD, which is currently being upgraded. The standard-issue pistol is the Gen 3 semi-automatic pistol, which was upgraded to this standard between 2002 and 2003. The Steyr AUG rifle is also used by the Jagdkommando, the Austrian Armed Forces' Special Operations group.

Vehicles

The Austrian Armed Forces have a range of vehicles, including:

• Armoured fighting vehicles—in 2023, the Austrian Armed Forces decided to upgrade their existing fleet of Leopard 2 tanks to the Leopard 2NV standard.
• Infantry fighting vehicles—the Austrian Armed Forces ordered 112 IFVs in 1999, which entered service in 2002.
• Armoured personnel carriers—the Austrian Armed Forces have ordered 36 Mannschaft Transportpanzer Pandur Evo vehicles, to be delivered by the end of 2025.
• Infantry mobility vehicles—the Austrian Armed Forces have 150 Iveco LMVs, which entered service in 2008.
• Armoured recovery vehicles—the Austrian Armed Forces have the Bergepanzer M-88 A1 and the Greif A1 armoured recovery vehicles.
• Light utility vehicles—the Austrian Armed Forces have Puch G300 diesel vehicles, which are to be replaced by the Iveco MUV M70.20.
• Self-propelled howitzers—the Austrian Armed Forces have the Rechenstellenpanzer M109.

Aircraft

The Austrian Armed Forces have a range of aircraft, including:

• Military transport aircraft—the Austrian Armed Forces have three Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, which were delivered between 2003 and 2004.
• Military trainer aircraft—the Austrian Armed Forces have Pilatus PC-6B Porter and PC-7 Turbo Trainer aircraft.
• Observation helicopters—the Austrian Armed Forces have 10 AB212 helicopters in service, which underwent modernisation between 2010 and 2016.
• Utility helicopters—the Austrian Armed Forces have 9 Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk helicopters, which were delivered in 2002.

Naval Squadron

From 1958 to 2006, the Austrian Armed Forces operated a naval squadron of patrol boats on the River Danube. This duty has now been assumed by the Bundespolizei (Federal Police).

Compulsory military service

The Austrian Armed Forces, or Bundesheer, is the combined military force of Austria. It consists of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists.

Male citizens receive a letter on or shortly after their 17th birthday ordering them to attend a "Stellung", which is an assessment of their fitness to participate in military service. It is possible to apply for exemption from military service, and exemptions are liberally granted. For example, students, apprentices, and those living permanently abroad are not required to start their national service immediately. Additionally, Austrian citizens who have already completed compulsory military service for another country may be exempted, although this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Male citizens have the right to choose alternative service instead of military service, such as working with certain NGOs. Conscientious objectors, who refuse to use armed force against people due to reasons of conscience, can opt for alternative public service, but they will be unable to obtain a gun license for 15 years.

Those undertaking compulsory military service are paid a monthly salary of €238.31, plus an allowance of €124.77 (as of 2024). After completing their initial military training, conscripts may be called up to active service until their 50th birthday.

The Austrian Armed Forces are divided into the air force, land-based forces, special forces, and cyber forces. In times of peace, the forces include professional soldiers, employees, and conscripts, with militia soldiers also included in the task force organisation.

Military budget

The Austrian Armed Forces, also known as the Bundesheer or "Federal Army", have a military budget of 1.0% of the national GDP, which equates to €3.317 billion (as of 2023, without pensions). This budget covers a military force consisting of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists.

The Austrian military budget has historically been subject to changes in response to shifting geopolitical circumstances. For instance, following World War II, Austria issued a Declaration of Neutrality in 1955, committing to never joining a military alliance. This stance influenced the military's primary objective of safeguarding the country's neutrality.

In recent decades, the Austrian military has increasingly collaborated with border police to manage the influx of undocumented migrants crossing Austrian borders. Additionally, the conflict in the neighbouring Balkans led to the removal of restrictions on the Austrian military's weaponry range, which had been previously imposed by the Austrian State Treaty.

Austria's military expenditure as a percentage of GDP is tracked by organisations like the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Frequently asked questions