The National Defense Committee dealt with the one-year volunteer training and the future of the Army History Museum.
On October 7, 2025, the National Defense Committee of the National Council, the expert body for all issues relating to the
the armed forces
militia and defense policy. There was broad support for making the one-year volunteer training course more attractive. In future, graduates may be awarded the rank of ensign. A motion to this effect was supported by all parliamentary groups. The decision is now to be made by the
military service commission
be prepared. This body was established in 2025 and is made up of experts and representatives from various social groups. It advises parliament on the further development of military and civilian service.
The FPÖ also pushed for an extension of basic military service, compulsory militia exercises and an amendment to the National Defense Financing Act. The current budget path is not sufficient to achieve the planned two percent of GDP for the armed forces, criticized Volker Reifenberger (FPÖ). Robert Laimer (SPÖ), Douglas Hoyos-Trauttmansdorff (NEOS) and David Stögmüller (Greens) also advocated a revision of the law.
The future of the Museum of Military History was also discussed. The background to this were fears and debates about a possible spin-off, which had caused uncertainty among the public. Gernot Darmann (FPÖ) therefore expressly demanded that the museum should remain within the Ministry of Defense. Harald Servus (ÖVP), Petra Tanzler (SPÖ) and Hoyos-Trauttmansdorff emphasized that there were no such plans. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) explained that the HGM should rather be strengthened and receive new staff.
The Greens introduced two additional initiatives: stricter transparency rules for countertrade in the arms sector and a clear commitment from Austria at EU level in the event of further Russian escalations. Stögmüller called for mandatory registers and controls. Support for more transparency also came from Christian Schandor (FPÖ) and Maria Neumann (ÖVP). When it came to the EU security strategy, however, Stögmüller met with resistance: Laimer insisted on neutrality, Michael Gmaindl (FPÖ) rejected the motion, while Friedrich Ofenauer (ÖVP) emphasized that Austria must work closely with the EU countries.
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