In Langenlebarn, the Austrian Armed Forces a new AW169 simulator from
Leonardo
and at the same time comprehensively modernized its maintenance facilities for the Black Hawk fleet.
The rotors don’t roar and yet the virtual cockpit tilts slightly to the right. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner sits in the AW169 simulator from Italian manufacturer Leonardo (
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), next to her is Brigadier Wolfgang Luttenberger (
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). from the Air Support Command. A representative of Leonardo stands within sight and explains the course of a simulated emergency procedure. Tanner concentrates on the displays on the screens, Luttenberger observes the virtual flight.
Only then do we go out into the real infrastructure. It smells of paint and fresh varnish in the new maintenance wing. The walls are sparkling white. There are already desks and computers in some offices, but they have not yet been switched on. Army staff guide visitors through rooms that they themselves will only move into in a few weeks’ time.
A total of around 44 million euros was invested in Langenlebarn. A large part of this was spent on the new simulator building for the AW169 helicopter. In future, several training systems will run in parallel: a full-flight simulator with night vision capability for pilot training and emergency procedures, a flight navigation procedure trainer for procedure training, a flat-panel trainer for basic training and a computer-aided training system. Routine operations will start on 1 January 2026. A simulator building of the same design is currently being built at the Aigen site and is also scheduled to be handed over in 2026.
Tanner emphasizes the responsibility of handling public funds. “This is taxpayers’ money. That’s why we must always remain transparent.” She made it clear that investments of this magnitude should not take place behind barracks gates and that the public must be able to understand what the money is being used for.
The construction measures were implemented unusually quickly. Those responsible speak of a “turbo project”. “Ground-breaking ceremony on 8 January 2024, completion at the end of July 2025. Acceptance, handover and furnishing in August and September 2025.”
Brigadier Luttenberger draws a comparison: “Applied to the automotive industry, we used to drive a Golf 1 and have now arrived at the Tesla.” Technological progress is overdue. “This is a social change that has long since permeated the armed forces and must also do so.”
The maintenance infrastructure was also expanded: from the new construction of the tried-and-tested workshop facility to the expansion and renovation of the hangar for the S70 Black Hawk and the expansion of hangar 4, which includes a painting room, paint mixing room, technical room and sandblasting cabin.
“It’s about turning the armed forces into a modern army, becoming capable of defending ourselves and also being able to make our contribution in the event of disasters.”
Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner
Meanwhile, Federal Minister Tanner makes it clear that the renewal is not only aimed at the core military mission. “It is about turning the armed forces into a modern army, becoming capable of defense and also being able to make our contribution when disasters occur.”
New barracks in Villach and Mistelbach, modernized hangars at the Vogler air base in Hörsching and a massive expansion in Wiener Neustadt. Many other locations also currently resemble a construction site that requires
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