Provided the weather cooperates, visitors to the traditional exhibition of the Austrian Armed Forces on National Day in Vienna’s city center can look forward to an impressive program and a prominent “visit from the future” – in the form of two planned new additions to the red-white-red air force: a C-390M transport aircraft and two M-346 Advanced Jet Trainers.
From 11.00 a.m., the program includes a parade with flyover and march-in of the recruits. Afterwards, from 11.30 a.m., the swearing-in of the recruits will take place on Heldenplatz – accompanied by a presentation of armored vehicles of the Austrian Armed Forces.
Four Eurofighters are expected to be on display during the flyover. Also in the air: two M-346 Master Advanced Jet Trainers, which are are at the top of the army’s procurement list. The aircraft arrived at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg on Friday. Although the corresponding government-to-government contract with Italy has not yet been signed, the purchase is considered almost certain.
Another highlight in the skies of Vienna will be a C-390M transport aircraft from Embraer, which can be seen over Austria for the first time – as Austrian Wings exclusively reports. The army is procuring four aircraft of this type in a joint procurement process with the Netherlands and Sweden.the first aircraft is already under construction. The specimen presented in Vienna comes from the Portuguese air force and landed in Linz on Saturday.
Only one Leonardo AW169 multi-role helicopter is on display in the static display this year. Of the total of 36 machines ordered have been delivered to the air force so far. A Black Hawk was also on display at Heldenplatz during the “Day of Schools” on Wednesday. Once again on display will be a Leopard main battle tank of the Austrian Armed Forces in the “Leopardine” look.
Welchen Beitrag leistet Österreich zur Verteidigung des Westens?
After the taps at 5 p.m., the armoured vehicles will move off again – a symbolic end to a day on which the Austrian Armed Forces will show, at least in the air, where the journey towards modernization and capability development is heading.
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