A few weeks ago, the National Council passed the so-called RKE Act (Resilience of Critical Infrastructure). The resolution was passed with the votes of the coalition parties and the Greens and represents an important step towards strengthening security in Austria – and also includes the area of drone defense.
The new law forms a central basis for the protection of particularly sensitive facilities. The focus here is on companies and facilities that provide essential services for the population – for example in the areas of transport and supply. These include power plants, airports and other important infrastructure facilities.
Comprehensive drone defense strategy is being further developed
Numerous operational measures to defend against drones have already been implemented in recent years. For example, a drone detection system has been installed at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, a drone defense center has been set up at the Directorate for Special Forces of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, and the Austrian Armed Forces has a range of military defense measures at its disposal.
The existing drone defense strategy will be further developed on the basis of existing legal and extensive operational measures. The comprehensive drone strategy will also take into account the common European security architecture. The aim is to adapt existing and future protective measures to the changing threat scenarios.
“The goal is clear: to protect people and the necessary supply facilities in our country. In doing so, we are assuming responsibility and making an important contribution to security in Austria,” emphasized Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger made it clear: “The recent incidents in Europe show how vulnerable critical facilities have become. When we protect our infrastructure, we protect the people who rely on it – in hospitals, in the energy supply, when traveling. Resilience means being prepared – nationally and in close cooperation with our European partners. With the further development of drone defense, we are making a contribution to strengthening our security and freedom.”
“Drones have been part of our everyday lives for many years, but the last few weeks have shown that we need to act to protect against malicious use. In order to find answers to the constantly changing threat situation, we as the Ministry of Mobility are joining forces and working even more closely with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense. The aim is to protect our critical infrastructures from threats in the best possible way – in my area, this primarily concerns transport infrastructures: from airports and railroad stations to road infrastructure, bridges and tunnels, through to ports and facilities on the Danube waterway,” said Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke.
Team der 7. Jägerbrigade reüssiert bei der „Cambrian Patrol”
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner emphasized: “Drones are one of the greatest threats of our time. Numerous incidents on European soil show this: We must protect our country and people from this threat (-> Poland shoots down Russian drones). The Austrian Armed Forces recognized these risks very early on and have been working on protective measures for several years. The drone strategy is an important building block for further improving this protection. Anyone who wants to maintain peace must be able to protect this peace and also our neutrality.”
“Drones offer great opportunities, but also present us with new security policy challenges. It is becoming increasingly clear that protection against misuse is not the task of a single authority. It is a challenge for the entire state. Our common goal is to guarantee freedom and security in equal measure – and to protect our democracy,” said State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried.
Here for more news about the Austrian Armed Forces and here to our drone topic area with all the latest news on the subject.
