The National Council session on 16 May began with a question and answer session directed at Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, focusing on various procurement processes, the new security strategy, the recruitment of additional personnel and closer cooperation between neutral countries in Europe.
The Minister expressly endorsed Austria’s Austria’s participation in the European Sky Shield Initiativeas it is necessary to be able to protect itself against threats from the airspace. This is a procurement cooperation, as no country can make these investments alone. In general, based on the current risk picture (-> The Austrian Armed Forces present the risk picture 2024), everything must be done to be technically and personnel-wise prepared for all challenges and threat situations.
Better protection of airspace with Sky Shield
Numerous questions revolved around Austria’s participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a project launched by Germany to develop an improved European air defense system. The daily pictures from Ukraine (-> current news from the war in Ukraine) clearly illustrate that existing gaps in this area need to be closed, Tanner was convinced. It was particularly important for a neutral country like Austria to be involved in this procurement cooperation. https://militaeraktuell.at/norwegen-erhoeht-sein-verteidigungsbudget/ The Minister assured MP Robert Laimer (SPÖ) that the International Law Office of the Foreign Ministry had of course been involved in this project in advance. There were also no international law or constitutional experts who had seen any problems in terms of neutrality (-> Guest commentary by former Defense Minister Werner Fasslabend: Is Sky Shield compatible with Austria’s neutrality?). In response to the concerns expressed by Volker Reifenberger (FPÖ), Tanner clarified that the decisions would continue to be made by Austria and that the exchange of radar data as part of the Gold Hood system was based on existing agreements with individual neighboring countries. The latter are also to be expanded further. Regarding the paper signed by Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Malta on the NATO Western European Partners signed by Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Malta, which was discussed by MEP Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic (Greens), Tanner explained that the neutral countries in particular play an important role in European security and defense policy. Up to 1,200 Austrian soldiers were doing an excellent job in the individual missions. However, some threats made it necessary to interlock more closely, argued the head of department. She also reminded the audience that cooperation with NATO within the framework of Partnership for Peace had been in place for more than three decades. In the new format, a community of values consisting of neutral countries had come together to address issues such as the rule of law, the protection of civilians and women in armed conflicts and climate protection. The individual cooperation of individual countries with NATO remains unaffected by this. Tanner therefore also emphatically rejected the assertion by FPÖ representative Petra Steger that she was “working more and more unabashedly to actually abolish neutrality”.
Tanner told Douglas Hoyos-Trauttmansdorff (NEOS) that the draft for the part of the new security strategy for which the defense department is responsible has now been available for six months. This also included measures to combat climate change, such as the promotion of energy self-sufficient barracks (question from MP Astrid Rössler, Greens). Now it is the turn of the other ministries to assume their responsibility with regard to the security strategy.
Federal Armed Forces to become a modern army
With regard to the “Reconstruction Plan 2032+” mentioned by Member of Parliament Friedrich Ofenauer (ÖVP), the Minister explained in more detail that better and more long-term planning was now possible on the basis of the National Defense Financing Act. A number of procurement processes are already underway, including the purchase of state-of-the-art helicopters (LeonardoBlack Hawk), Pandur tanks (-> 225 new Pandur tanks for the armed forces) or Dingo vehicles with weapon stations. A total of 18 billion euros is to be invested over the next four years as part of the “Mission Forward”, with government-to-government business being prioritized above all. However, the procurement of a total of 250 Pandur tanks is an extension of the framework contract, the head of department informed MP Douglas Hoyos-Trauttmansdorff (NEOS). With regard to the Hercules transport aircraft mentioned by Rudolf Silvan (SPÖ), Tanner conceded that they would “reach the end of their technical life” in 2030. For this reason, a decision has already been decision has already been made to purchase four of the successor model C-390 from Embraerwhich will be purchased in cooperation with the Netherlands and are expected to be delivered by 2028.
Personnel: increasing the proportion of women
In 2013, the majority of Austrians voted clearly and unequivocally in favor of compulsory military service, which Tanner believes was absolutely necessary. It was a model that many other countries now also wanted to return to. According to Tanner, it was regrettable that for a long time the basic conscripts, who “donate” six months of their lives to the country, had not been shown the appropriate appreciation. The working time of 45 hours net was clearly regulated, the minister told FPÖ mandatary Volker Reifenberger, and an extension was only possible under precisely defined conditions. The aim of no longer involving conscripts in security police assistance missions (-> current news about assistance missions) had also been achieved, explained Tanner in response to a question from MP Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS). https://militaeraktuell.at/survival-experte-heinz-eichinger-im-interview/ In principle, Tanner considered the issue of personnel to be central, which is why intensive efforts are being made to significantly increase the proportion of women. For this reason, the introduction of voluntary basic military service for women last year was of crucial importance, she confirmed to Romana Deckenbacher (ÖVP) and Petra Wimmer (SPÖ). To date, more than 200 people have already signed up and 180 female soldiers have already enlisted. Other important steps were the expansion of mentoring programs, the introduction of new training courses and, above all, the increase in pay after more than ten years. With the “Heer on Tour” project, the aim is to inspire even more people and make the Armed Forces as an attractive employer. In addition, increased efforts are being made to increase the retention rate of cadre and civilian staff. The Minister was pleased to point out that initial successes were already becoming apparent. Tanner agreed with Axel Kassegger (FPÖ) that there were also challenges in the area of the militia, where “more training is needed again”. Around 200 exercises are planned for this year alone. One of the largest of these, called “Protective Shield 24” involving 4,000 soldiers and with international participation, will take place from June 10 to 21, the Minister informed MP Andreas Minnich (ÖVP). In response to MP Eva Blimlinger (Greens), who pointed out the close relationship between the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, Robert Brieger, and the FPÖ, Tanner stated that he had already said everything about this. In any case, her department had a zero-tolerance policy for anything to do with right-wing extremist ideas. Finally, the Minister responded to a question from MP Süleyman Zorba (Greens), who asked about the Foreign Ministry’s support for its mission to outlaw fully autonomous lethal weapons systems internationally. For her, too, there was no question that this issue had to be regulated under European law.
In any case, it should be ensured that “at the end of the day” the decisions on the use of these weapons systems are always made by people, Tanner emphasized.
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