The soldiers of the Austrian Armed Forces have already completed 10,300,000 hours of service this year.
“When our soldiers are needed, they are tirelessly ready with their expertise to ensure Austria’s security,” says Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner proudly. “The Austrian Armed Forces are on duty for the population around the clock. It has demonstrated this since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and provides support where help is needed. My aim is to invest where it is necessary: in security. An investment in a modern and up-to-date armed forces is an investment in the protection of soldiers and, above all, in the security of Austria.” Since March, an average of almost 1,000 soldiers have been deployed against Covid-19 every day, clocking up more than 4,500,000 hours in around 190,000 man-days. They supported the health authorities, carried out checks at the borders and airports in Schwechat, Graz and Salzburg and helped with contact tracing. The militia was deployed for the first time in the history of the Second Republic. Together, the 1,400 militia soldiers put in 1,325,000 man-hours to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. The militia soldiers also drove around 1.5 million kilometers in 300 army vehicles. 319,000 portions of food were provided for the soldiers during the deployment. As a result of the crisis, deferment soldiers were also deployed for the first time to provide support: 2,300 conscripts whose basic military service was extended by three months from the October 2019 enlistment date. The soldiers received an appreciation bonus of 380 euros from Minister Tanner. The Austrian Armed Forces continue to protect Austrian border crossings as part of the “Migration” security police assistance mission.
With around 1,850 man-days and a total of 21,500 man-hours, the Armed Forces were able to help the population with forest fires, flooding and storm damage, among other things. The helicopters flew 125 flight hours, dropped 807,000 liters of extinguishing water and transported 164 people and 22.9 tons of material. Around 1,100 soldiers and civilian staff provided around 88,700 person-hours of paid support, including at the Foreign Ministry hotline, the postal logistics centers in Hagenbrunn and Inzersdorf and at food companies.
