Today, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister visited the multinational exercise multinational exercise “Trias 25”. On site, the two ministers saw for themselves the synergy effects of this large-scale joint exercise.
After two weeks of preparation, troop deployment and concrete exercise preparations, the exercise began on April 15 and will continue until May 9.
Soldiers from the Swiss Army are currently training in Allentsteig. Swiss Army together with units of the Austrian Armed Forces and the German Armed Forces. The exercise at the Allentsteig military training area in Lower Austria is the first of its kind on this scale.
“Particularly in view of security policy developments worldwide, it is more important than ever to work together even more closely across borders in the area of defense and security policy. Switzerland and Austria have a lot in common in the military field: in addition to joint training – such as the ‘Trias 25’ exercise – both countries are also jointly committed to peace in missions abroad,” says Tanner.
Her Swiss counterpart Martin Pfister was positively surprised: “I am impressed by the organization and implementation of the troop exercise in Austria. I would like to thank the Austrian Armed Forces for their support during this exercise in Allentsteig. It is particularly important to work together internationally. This underlines the D-A-CH format and further cooperation.”
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First meeting between Austria and Switzerland
During her visit, Defense Minister Tanner met Switzerland’s new Defense Minister, Federal Councillor Martin Pfister, for whom the visit to Austria was his first trip abroad. After a brief exchange on current security policy issues and developments in the area of defense in both countries, the ministers were given a presentation on the course of the exercise and the cooperation between the soldiers.
Around 950 Swiss, 150 German and 200 Austrian soldiers are taking part in the exercise. In addition to all-terrain vehicles, combat and infantry fighting vehicles and drones will also be used. The size and infrastructure of the Allentsteig military training area make it possible to carry out joint exercises with mechanized forces in this exercise structure.
Tanner continued: “This major multinational exercise also shows that the investments we have made in recent years have paid off for the benefit of the practising troops. The infrastructure in Allentsteig not only offers the soldiers modern accommodation, but also highly developed training facilities. I am particularly pleased about the cooperation with the Swiss and German soldiers at one of the largest military training areas in Europe – here in Austria.”
“Trias 25” – a multinational exercise
The joint exercise under the tried-and-tested cooperation of the D-A-CH format is a further highlight for expanding the capabilities and achieving further synergy effects of the deployed forces. The ability to cooperate with armed forces from other armed forces in 2025 is ensured both in the area of logistics – through participation in EUBG2025 – and through “Trias 25”, in the area of robust deployment. There is intensive cooperation between the countries.
There are 150 projects with Switzerland alone, governed by 13 bilateral agreements. In April 2024, an Austrian contingent took part in the international international cyber exercise “Locked Shields 24” in Switzerland. took part. Cooperation with the German Bundeswehr has been intensive for decades. For example, Austrian troops repeatedly exercise at Germany’s military training areas, mainly as part of preparations for joint international operations. For example, in November and December 2024 in preparation for EUBG25 at the Bergen military training area in Lower Saxony.
Here you can find more army news, here to further news about the Swiss Armed Forces and here to further reports on the German Armed Forces.
