Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, together with the Mayor of Wiener Neustadt, Klaus Schneeberger, and Army Real Estate Director Johannes Sailer (-> Interview with Militär Aktuell) presented the master plan for the construction and modernization of the airfield barracks. The fundamental redesign of the infrastructure for the special operations forces of the Armed Forceshunting command. A net total of 350 million euros is to be invested and the project is expected to be completed in 2030.
In addition to the construction of new buildings in solid construction, the outdoor facilities are also being extensively renovated. This includes the renewal of the boundary structures, including fences and walls, in order to meet current safety requirements.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “Our soldiers need modern barracks in order to meet future requirements. We are investing in modern military infrastructure in order to strengthen the operational readiness of the special forces sustainably and for the future. This comprehensive investment not only improves the operational readiness of the Armed Forces, but also makes an important contribution to Austria’s security and sustainability. This creates the basis for a future-proof infrastructure that meets the high requirements of modern special forces – for the protection of our future.”
State-of-the-art infrastructure for the special units
In total, the project comprises the renovation of a gross floor area of 27,500 square meters as well as new buildings covering an area of 63,500 square meters. The comprehensive measures range from the renewal of information technology to climate-friendly heating via a central geothermal system.
Particular attention is paid to the sustainable design of the entire construction project. The measures are carried out in accordance with the “klimaaktiv criteria silver standard” in order to keep the ecological footprint of the project as low as possible. Wherever appropriate, refurbishment is used instead of new construction in order to use resources efficiently. In addition, the unsealing of surfaces to recover natural seepage areas is being promoted, which benefits both the environment and the region’s water balance.
The requirements for the new infrastructure were defined in close cooperation with the hunting command. These specifications were incorporated into the tender for the construction project so that the modern infrastructure is optimally tailored to the needs of the special forces.
Milestone for Austria’s security
With this construction project, the Austrian Armed Forces will take a significant step towards a future-proof and sustainable infrastructure. This investment in Austria’s security is “a decisive step towards meeting the high demands faced by our special forces at home and abroad”, as stated in a recent press release from the Austrian Armed Forces. The modernization is therefore “a key project within the framework of the Armed Forces’ long-term strategy and underlines the importance of a modern and efficient infrastructure for the security and defence of the country”.
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