Ruqayyah Snyder
EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is Austria's primary counter-terrorism special operations tactical unit. It is not part of the Austrian Federal Police but is directly under the control of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. The unit's headquarters is located in Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, and it has sub-offices in Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck, with small field offices in Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Feldkirch. This structure allows the units to be deployed anywhere in Austria in less than 70 minutes. The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism, and hostage rescue crisis management, among others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra; "Task Force Cobra") |
| Type | Police tactical unit |
| Control | Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior |
| Headquarters | Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria |
| Departments | Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck |
| Field Offices | Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Feldkirch |
| Teams per Department | 4 |
| Teams per Field Office | 2 |
| Deployment Time | Anywhere in Austria in under 70 minutes |
| Training Duration | 6 months |
| Training Activities | Marksmanship, tactical training, sports, driver courses, abseiling/rappelling, parachuting, diving, explosives, sniping |
| Armament | Austrian weaponry (Steyr-manufactured weapons, Glock pistols), foreign-produced arms |
| Operations | Hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, high-risk tactical law enforcement, protection of high-level meeting areas, riot control, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
EKO Cobra's formation and history
EKO Cobra, or Einsatzkommando Cobra, is Austria's primary counter-terrorism special operations tactical unit. It was formed in 1978 as a direct response to the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The unit's name was changed from GEK (Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando) to EKO Cobra in 2002 by the Federal Ministry of Interior.
EKO Cobra is not part of the Austrian Federal Police but is directly under the control of the Austrian Federal Ministry for the Interior. Its headquarters is located in Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, and it has sub-offices in Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck, with small field offices in Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Feldkirch. This structure allows the units to be deployed anywhere in Austria in less than 70 minutes.
The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military operations, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, executive protection, and high-risk tactical law enforcement situations. They are equipped with a variety of weaponry and equipment, including Austrian and foreign-produced arms, and their officers wear grey or black coveralls during tactical operations.
EKO Cobra has been involved in numerous operations, including a hostage rescue in the Graz-Karlau Prison in 1996 and the evacuation of Austrians and other EU citizens from Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon War. They are also the only counter-terrorism unit to have ended a hijacking while the aircraft was still in the air. On October 17, 1996, four EKO Cobra officers were escorting deported prisoners to Lagos when a Nigerian man threatened the cockpit crew and demanded a diversion. The team overpowered the man and handed him over to the authorities upon landing.
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The unit's structure and organisation
EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is a police tactical unit of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. It is not part of the Austrian Federal Police but is directly under the control of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The unit's headquarters is located in Wiener Neustadt (Lower Austria) and performs all administrative activities and training for the EKO Cobra officers. The unit has a unique structure, with departments in Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck, and small field offices in Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Feldkirch. Each department consists of four teams, while each field office has two teams. This strategic structure enables rapid deployment, allowing the units to reach any location in Austria within 70 minutes.
The history of the EKO Cobra unit dates back to the formation of the Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando Bad Vöslau by the regional police authority of Lower Austria. Their initial mandate was to protect East European Jews migrating through Austria to Israel from terrorist threats. Over time, the unit's tactical skills gained recognition, leading to its expansion beyond regional duties. In 1978, a pivotal step was taken to establish the unit within the Ministry of the Interior, solidifying its status as a national entity. The name "Cobra" was coined by the press, inspired by the US TV series "Mission: Impossible," which aired in German as "Kobra, übernehmen Sie."
The EKO Cobra unit has a comprehensive selection process and training program. Any member of the Austrian Federal Police can apply to join the unit. The rigorous tests include medical examinations, psychological evaluations, and demanding physical trials. Those who successfully pass these tests undergo an intensive six-month specialized training curriculum. This training covers various areas, such as marksmanship, tactical skills, sports, driver courses, and abseiling/rappelling. After completing this initial training phase, recruits can pursue further specialisation in parachuting, diving, explosives, or sniping.
EKO Cobra is primarily equipped with Austrian weaponry, particularly those manufactured by Steyr. This includes the Steyr AUG (StG 77) assault rifle, the Steyr SSG 69 sniper rifle (including a sound-suppressed variant), and the 9mm Steyr TMP machine pistol. They also utilise Austrian Glock pistols as sidearms, with the Glock 17 and Glock 19 being the most common choices. Additionally, the unit has access to foreign-produced arms to supplement their arsenal when needed.
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Training and specialisation
EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is an elite special unit of the Austrian police. It is Austria's primary counter-terrorism tactical unit. It was formed in 1978 as a response to the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The unit's headquarters is located in Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, and performs all administrative activities and training for the EKO Cobra officers.
The training for EKO Cobra officers is rigorous and specialised, lasting six months. It includes marksmanship, tactical training, sports, driver courses, and abseiling/rappelling. After completing the initial training, recruits can further specialise in fields such as parachuting, diving, explosives, or sniping. The unit is known for its expertise in handling high-risk situations, including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and operating in difficult-to-access terrain. They are equipped with a range of weaponry, mainly of Austrian manufacture, including Steyr-manufactured weapons such as assault rifles, sniper rifles, and machine pistols. Additionally, they have access to foreign-produced arms.
The structure of EKO Cobra allows for rapid deployment across Austria. The unit has departments in Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck, with smaller field offices in Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Feldkirch. Each department contains four teams, and each field office has two teams, enabling them to reach any location in Austria within 70 minutes. This efficient deployment system ensures that EKO Cobra can respond swiftly to crisis situations, making them a crucial asset in counter-terrorism and tactical operations.
EKO Cobra's expertise extends beyond land-based operations, as they also have air marshals as part of their team. Their versatility and adaptability enhance their effectiveness in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue missions. The unit has successfully handled complex situations, including a hostage rescue during a hijacking while the aircraft was still in the air, demonstrating their capability to manage high-stakes and dynamic scenarios.
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Operations and deployments
EKO Cobra, or Einsatzkommando Cobra, is an elite special unit of the Austrian police. It is a police antiterrorism SWAT-type unit that is available to local police elements for serious tactical situations, terrorism, and kidnapping. It is an internationally recognized antiterrorist unit active at both national and international levels.
EKO Cobra was formed in 1978 as a response to the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The unit's name was changed from GEK (Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando) to EKO Cobra in 2002. The unit has approximately 450 members, all of whom have completed rigorous training programs and are highly skilled in various fields such as rope work, parachuting, diving, explosives, and sniping.
EKO Cobra has a wide range of operational responsibilities, including anti-irregular military operations, the apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, executive protection, and high-risk tactical law enforcement situations. They are equipped with a variety of weaponry, mainly of Austrian manufacture, including Steyr-manufactured weapons and Austrian Glock pistols.
Some notable operations and deployments of EKO Cobra include:
- 1996: EKO Cobra operatives were involved in a hostage rescue at Graz-Karlau Prison, where they successfully ended a hijacking while the aircraft was still in the air.
- 2006: During the Lebanon War, EKO Cobra assisted in the evacuation of Austrians and other EU citizens from Lebanon.
- 2013: 135 EKO Cobra operatives were involved in the search for Alois Huber, who killed three police officers and one Red Cross EMT in Lower Austria.
- 2017: 20 EKO Cobra operatives were involved in ending severe riots in the Schanzenviertel area during the G20 Hamburg summit, with three operatives wounded.
- 2020: EKO Cobra assisted in the manhunt for the remaining suspect involved in the Vienna attack.
- 2024: EKO Cobra assisted with the arrest of suspects in a foiled Vienna terrorism plot targeting a concert by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
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Equipment and weaponry
EKO Cobra is armed mainly with Austrian weaponry, but foreign-produced arms are also used. Most of their weapons are manufactured by Steyr, including the Steyr AUG (military designation: StG 77) assault rifle, the sniper rifle Steyr SSG 69 (including a sound-suppressed variant), and the 9mm Steyr TMP machine pistol. Austrian-made Glock pistols are used as sidearms, with the most common being the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum calibre. The Glock 18, with full-auto capability, is also used.
Other weapons in the EKO Cobra arsenal include the Manurhin MR 73 revolver, the Franchi SPAS-12, Remington 870 and Heckler & Koch M512 shotguns, the H&K MP5A3 or Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine guns, and the MZP-1 40 mm grenade launcher. The unit's choice of weaponry depends on the specific situation and requirements of the mission.
During tactical operations, EKO Cobra officers wear grey or black coveralls along with their tactical gear. The unit's operators are highly trained in a variety of fields, including marksmanship, tactical training, sports, driving, abseiling/rappelling, hand-to-hand combat, and language skills. After completing their initial six-month training program, recruits can further specialize in fields such as parachuting, diving, explosives, or sniping.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cobra Team in Austria, also known as EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) or Task Force Cobra, is a police tactical unit of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. It is not part of the Austrian Federal Police but is directly under the control of the Austrian Federal Ministry for the Interior.
The Cobra Team's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, high-risk tactical law enforcement, and executive protection.
The Cobra Team was formed in 1978 as a response to the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The name "Cobra" was coined by the press, referencing the US TV series Mission: Impossible, which aired in German as "Kobra, übernehmen Sie". The Cobra Team is the only counter-terrorism unit to end a hijacking while the aircraft was still in the air.
