Austria's Military Might: Size And Strength Overview

Austria's military, known as the Austrian Armed Forces or Bundesheer, consists of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists. The country's military budget is 1.0% of its national GDP, which is approximately €3.317 billion. In 2020, Austria's military size was 23,000, a 4.55% increase from the previous year. In the annual Global Firepower review for 2025, Austria is ranked 68 out of 145 countries.

Austria's military personnel numbers

In 2020, Austria's military size was recorded at 23,000, a 4.55% increase from 2019, which had a military size of 22,000. The year 2018 saw another increase, with a military size of 22,850, representing an 8.81% rise from 2017. However, in 2017, there was a decline to 21,000 military personnel, a 6.25% drop from the previous year.

Historically, Austria's military has undergone several changes. In 1993, the total active complement of the armed forces was 52,000, including 20,000 to 30,000 conscripts undergoing training. The army had 46,000 personnel on active duty, with an estimated 19,500 conscripts, while the air force had 6,000 personnel, including 2,400 conscripts.

The Austrian Armed Forces, also known as the Bundesheer or "Federal Army," have a long history dating back to 1918 when the Republic of German-Austria established the Volkswehr ("People's Defence"). The Bundesheer has been the country's official military since 1920, and its main purpose has been to protect Austria's neutrality, as declared in 1955.

Austria's military budget

Austria's military, known as the Austrian Armed Forces or Bundesheer, has seen a few changes in recent years. In 2006, conscription was reduced to a total of six months, and mandatory reserve training was abolished. This has led to a lack of new reservists for the army reserve battalions. The military has also been modernizing its arsenal, purchasing Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Ulan and Pandur infantry fighting vehicles, and Eurofighter Typhoon multi-purpose combat aircraft.

Austria's air force

The Austrian Air Force (German: Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte, lit. 'Austrian Air Combat Force') is a component part of the Austrian Armed Forces. It was created in May 1955 by the victorious Allied powers, subject to restrictions on its use of guided missiles. The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 committed Austria to permanent neutrality.

The Austrian Air Force has three main tasks: maintaining the sovereignty of its airspace, providing reconnaissance, transport, liaison and combat support for its ground forces, and acting in an emergency relief capacity both at home and abroad.

The Air Force protects Austria’s airspace and supports the Land Forces with transport capacities and reconnaissance. These tasks are performed by means of a large variety of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, stationary radar installations, and air-defence systems.

The Austrian Air Force is divided into two brigade-level formations: the Air Surveillance Command (Kommando Luftraumüberwachung) in Salzburg, which is tasked with defending Austrian airspace, and the Air Support Command (Kommando Luftunterstützung) in Hörsching Air Base, which has helicopters and transport planes.

The Air Surveillance Command in Salzburg includes:

• The Airspace Surveillance Wing, based at Zeltweg Air Base
• Fighter Squadron 1, which uses Eurofighter Typhoon jets
• Fighter Squadron 2, which also uses Eurofighter Typhoon jets
• The Radar Battalion, based in Salzburg
• Air Defense Battalion 2, based in Zeltweg
• Maintenance Facility 2, based at Zeltweg Air Base

The Air Support Command, based at Hörsching Air Base, includes:

• The Air Support Wing, based at Langenlebarn Air Base
• The Medium Transport Helicopter Squadron, which has 9 S-70A-42 Black Hawk helicopters
• The Light Utility Helicopter Squadron, which operates 11 OH-58B Kiowa helicopters
• The Light Air Transport Squadron, which has 8 PC-6 Porter planes
• The Air Reconnaissance Squadron, which uses various drones
• The Liaison Helicopter Squadron, based in Aigen im Ennstal, which has 16 Alouette III helicopters
• The Light Transport Helicopter Squadron 1, based at Hörsching Air Base, which has 12 AB 212 helicopters
• The Light Transport Helicopter Squadron 2, also based at Hörsching Air Base, which has 11 AB 212 helicopters
• The Air Transport Squadron, based at Hörsching Air Base, which operates 3 C-130K Hercules planes
• Maintenance Facility 1, based at Langenlebarn Air Base
• Maintenance Facility 3, based at Hörsching Air Base

The Austrian Air Force uses a variety of aircraft, including:

• Eurofighter Typhoon jets
• Saab 35 Draken jets (retired in 2005)
• Cessna L-19A Bird Dog observation and liaison aircraft
• Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
• Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter planes
• AgustaWestland AW169 helicopters
• Agusta-Bell AB 204, AB-206, and AB-212 helicopters
• Alouette III helicopters
• OH-58B Kiowa helicopters

Austria's land forces

The Austrian Armed Forces (German: Bundesheer, lit. 'Federal Army') are the combined military forces of Austria. The Land Forces constitute the bulk of the Austrian Armed Forces and are highly versatile due to their training and equipment.

The Land Forces consist of four brigades and nine provincial military commands, which oversee territorial areas of responsibility. The four brigades are:

• 3rd Infantry Brigade (Ready Reaction Brigade)
• 4th Mechanised Infantry Brigade
• 6th Mountain Brigade
• 7th Infantry Brigade

The 3rd Infantry Brigade is rapidly available for deployment domestically and abroad, with its soldiers specialising in operations in built-up areas. The 4th Mechanised Infantry Brigade includes the mechanised units of the Austrian Armed Forces and is earmarked for robust operations. The 6th Mountain Brigade specialises in operations in mid-range and high mountainous areas, and the 7th Infantry Brigade is a light infantry brigade with air-mobile and air-transport capabilities. Its soldiers are earmarked for international and domestic operations.

The nine provincial military commands of the federal provinces serve as indispensable links between the Austrian Armed Forces and civilian authorities, as well as other first responders. Their main tasks include leading forces during assistance, disaster-relief, and law-enforcement assistance operations. Each provincial military command has an infantry battalion and a ready-reserve infantry battalion at its disposal. They are also responsible for territorial administration and public information.

Austria's military history

The Austrian Empire and its predecessor, the Archduchy of Austria, was one of the most prevalent states in Europe throughout its history.

The Great Turkish War

Austria secured a series of victories in the Great Turkish War, but soon found itself at war with France along the Grand Alliance. Despite this, Austria and its allies managed to win battles at Turin and Blenheim, and crushed uprisings in Hungary and Bavaria. However, the French victory at Denain secured the Bourbon throne in Spain. The Austrians fought well and enjoyed great territorial gains in the Treaty of Rastatt.

1716 Ottoman Invasion

In 1716 the Ottomans once again invaded Austria, but were outmatched by the military genius Prince Eugene of Savoy, who defeated them in the battles of Petrovaradin and Belgrade, expanding Austria to its greatest territorial extent.

1730s

In the 1730s the skill of Austrian soldiers and generals would temporarily decline. Crushing defeats against the French and Ottomans at Guastalla and Grocka caused the Austrians to lose most of their previously gained territories.

1740s

In 1740, Prussia invaded Silesia to become a great power. Austria's defeat against such a small country convinced many other countries to finally partition it. Prussia, France, Spain, Bavaria, Saxony, Naples, Sardinia and Modena then formed an alliance to wipe out Austria. The invasion of Austria went well, with Upper Austria and Bohemia falling quickly. However, Ludwig Andreas von Khevenhüller was appointed commander-in-chief and launched a massive offensive that annihilated huge parts of the Franco-Bavarian armies. Munich was taken, but Prussia was still able to take Silesia. The war ended in 1748.

Maria Theresa's Reforms

Maria Theresa began massive military reforms. When the Seven Years' War started, Prussia enjoyed initial success by conquering Saxony and Prague. However, the Austrians took advantage of their poor performance and defeated the Prussians at Kolín and Hochkirch. The Prussians were so close to defeat that only the Miracle of the House of Brandenburg saved them from certain destruction. Prussia beat Austria at Torgau and so the war became an inconclusive stalemate.

Post-Napoleonic Wars to World War I

After the Seven Years' War, Austria didn't see many military actions. It joined the Polish partitions, fought another inconclusive struggle against Prussia, and beat the Ottomans with help from Russia in the Austro-Turkish War.

French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Austria entered the French Revolutionary Wars and successfully defended German territories. However, Napoleon Bonaparte crushed the Austrians in North Italy. The 2nd Coalition War went no better, with humiliating defeats at Marengo and Hohenlinden. The Napoleonic Wars became unpopular in Austria, but Britain convinced them to join. When Austria finally joined in 1805, its army capitulated at Ulm and was defeated with the Russians at Austerlitz. Archduke Charles tried to make reforms to make the Austrian army more effective, and although not completed, the Austrians inflicted Napoleon's first major defeat at Aspern-Essling. Napoleon was still able to defeat Archduke Charles at Wagram and force him to sue for peace. Austria then joined the French invasion of Russia, and after the French disaster, rejoined the Coalition. The Austrians took part in the German and Italian campaigns and forced Napoleon to surrender.

Post-Napoleonic Wars to World War I

Austria enjoyed a peaceful period from 1816 to 1847. It put down some minor rebellions and naval expeditions in Morocco and Egypt. In 1848, Austria faced two dangerous revolutions and the army was needed again. While Joseph Radetzky von Radetz beat the Italians at Custoza and Novara, Austrian commanders in Hungary needed Russian help.

The revolutions significantly weakened Austria, and it became isolated after the Crimean War to avoid another Hungarian revolution. Sardinia then successfully provoked Austria to declare war on them, resulting in France intervening and decisively defeating Austria at Solferino.

Second Schleswig War

Austria joined the Second Schleswig War to defeat Denmark. While Prussia suffered initial defeats against Denmark at Mysunde and Jasmund, Austria beat them at Königshügel, Sankelmark, Vejle and Heligoland. However, Prussia managed to secure a decisive victory against Denmark at Dybbøl.

Austro-Prussian War

Austria and Prussia quickly broke their alliance and fought against each other for German leadership. Due to superior Prussian leadership, better-trained troops, a more developed economy, faster railways, and faster rifles, the Prussians won decisively at Königgrätz. Although Austria was successful against Italy, they were unable to stop the Prussian advance. This war caused Austria to lose German leadership and marked the beginning of Austria's permanent military decline.

World War I

From 1867 to 1918, the Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was composed of the common army, the Austrian Landwehr, and the Hungarian Honvéd. This army existed from the establishment of the Dual Monarchy in 1867 until the end of World War I in 1918. The army first saw action in the Austro-Hungarian campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878 and the Boxer Rebellion.

In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbo-Bosnian student named Gavrilo Princip. The Austro-Hungarian military leader Conrad von Hötzendorf saw it as a chance to attack Serbia. When Serbia failed to accept all ultimatum terms, Austria-Hungary struck.

The Serbian Front ended in failure for Austria-Hungary, and German and Bulgarian help was required in 1915. However, Austria-Hungary successfully took Montenegro in 1916. Despite early victories at Kraśnik and Komarów, the Austro-Hungarians quickly lost the entirety of Galicia. With German help, the Russians were repelled from most of the region. However, the Brusilov offensive utterly mauled the Austro-Hungarian army, which became completely dependent on the Germans for the rest of the war.

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