Military of Austria
Encyclopedia : M : MI : MIL : Military of Austria
| Military of Austria | |
|---|---|
| Military manpower | |
| Military age | 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for voluntary service; from 2006 compulsory military service obligation will be reduced from 8 months to 6 (July 2005) |
| Availability | males age 15–49: 1,914,800 (2005 est.) |
| Fit for military service | males age 15–49: 1,550,441 (2005 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually | males: 48,967 (2005 est.) |
| Active troops | |
| Military expenditures | |
| Amount | $1.497 billion (FY01/02) |
| Percent of GDP | 0.9% (2004) |
The name of the Military of Austria is Bundesheer ("Federal Army"). For a short while between 1918 and 1921 the Austrian semi-regular army was called Volkswehr (peoples defence), fighting against Slovenian indigenous inhabitants in Carinthia. Since then (with the exception of the period 1938-1945, when Austria was a part of Nazi Germany; see also Anschluss) it has been known as "Bundesheer". The Austrian Army did develop a defence plan in 1938 against Germany, but due to political decisions it was never carried out.
In 1955, Austria declared her Everlasting Neutrality and made neutrality a constitutional law. The main purpose of the Austrian military since then has been the protection of Austria's neutrality. The branches are Land Forces (KdoLdSK) and Air Forces (KdoLuSK).
With the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military has been increasingly used to safeguard Austrian borders against illegal immigrants. The war in the neighbouring Balkans had resulted in the restrictions on the Austrian military's range of weaponry, imposed by a 1955 international treaty, being lifted.
Austria's support of the US-led coalition in the 1991 Gulf War, as well as Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 are seen as a weakening of Austria's neutrality, and possibly the first steps to joining a (future) European military alliance.
Recently, Austria has spent considerable amounts of money modernizing its military arsenal. Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Ulan and Pandur infantry fighting vehicles, C-130 Hercules transport planes, UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters, and Eurofighter Typhoon multi-purpose combat aircraft have been (or are being) purchased.
Traditions
Some of the traditions of the old Austro-Hungarian Army continues to be carried on in Bundesheer. For example, the most famous Regiment of all, the "Hoch und Deutschmeister Regiment", is now known as Jaegerregiment Wien based in "Maria Theresien Kaserne" after Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Also nearly every other Regiment of the Bundesheer has to carry on traditions of the famous Austro-Hungarian regiments like "Kaiserjäger", "Rainer", ...Reference
- ''CIA World Factbook, 2005
See also
- The term Austrian army may also refer to the army of the Austrian Empire or the Austro-Hungarian Army.
External links
- [Ministry of Defence (BMLV)]
- [Overview over the Austrian Armed Forces]
- [BHI.AT - Austrians greatest Army Webmagazine]
- [Austrian Army reforms spawn hybrid recce and artillery units]
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