Austria - Fliegerdivision - Austrian Air Force - Modernization
The Air Force protects Austria’s airspace and supports the Land Forces with about 100 combat, transport, reconnaissance and other aircraft, incluind a large helicopter fleet. Those as well as many more tasks are performed by means of a large variety of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, stationary radar installations, and air-defence systems.
A state must also ensure the safety of the population in the air. In Austria, the air force of the Federal Army is responsible for this. After intruding aircraft have been located and identified, the fighter aviation force is deployed. If necessary, the planes are pushed aside or forced to land. In the event of an emergency, the interceptors are equipped with missiles. Through airspace surveillance, the Federal Army makes a significant contribution to maintaining state sovereignty and protecting the population. As a permanent mission, the Austrian airspace is monitored around the clock by specialists.
The aerial reconnaissance assets of the air support force and their existing fire support capabilities for troops deployed on the ground enable rapid response and flexible operational management. In addition, it makes it more difficult for the opponent to have unrecognized and unhindered freedom of movement. Logistical support in operations and in the course of disaster relief, air transport of civilians and soldiers as well as patient transport.
An increased budget from 2020 will allow the Federal Army's renewal course to continue in 2021. The decades-long investment backlog will be gradually reduced and the army will be made "fit for the future" to meet the security policy challenges of the 21st century.
In September 2018, the last two of a total of four single-engine DA40 NG training aircraft were handed over to the Austrian Armed Forces. All four aircraft are stationed in Zeltweg and are used in aviation and instrument flight training as part of military pilot training. Defense Minister Mario Kunasek said: "With the procurement of the four new training aircraft, a first important step has been taken towards modernizing military pilot training. Further measures will follow." The aircraft were taken over by Lieutenant Colonel Reinhard Kraft, commander of the aviation and anti-aircraft troop school in Langenlebarn. The Diamond Aircraft training aircraft are used, among other things, for the instrument flight training of the Pilatus PC7 flight instructors and operational pilots and for the assessment of flying aptitude.
As the backbone of military air transport, the AB-212 helicopters are an indispensable component in the Austrian Armed Forces. The fleet consists of 23 helicopters and 50 pilots. She is stationed in Linz-Hörsching. A total of 115,000 flight hours had been completed by 2021. Modernization of the aircraft will begin in June 2010 and be completed within four years. A maximum of six helicopters will be modernized at the same time by the Agusta company near Rome, so that part of the fleet remains available. A counter-business volume of 50 percent of the contract value for ten years was agreed with the company.
"The helicopters will therefore be fully operational for another 25 years - that corresponds to around 100,000 flight hours," said Defense Minister Norbert Darabos April 19, 2010 in Vienna's Maria Theresa Barracks. The investment amount is around 63 million euros. “This investment shows that step by step investments are being made in equipping the troops and thus in protecting the soldiers,” said Darabos.
With the purchase of 18 "Leonardo" AW169 and the availability of the first helicopter in 2022, the performance of the Austrian helicopter fleet will be raised to a new level. The first Leonardo AW169 helicopter was handed over to the air force in December 2022. In December 2021, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner signed the option to purchase a total of 36 helicopters and these will be delivered by 2028.
"The modernization of the air force has gained momentum. With the new 'Lion' helicopters, the performance of our air force will be further improved and with it the protection and safety of the population. It was definitely the right choice to buy a total of 36 helicopters, because with "The different configurations can cover a wide range of tasks," said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. The multi-purpose helicopter "Leonardo" is particularly powerful and therefore ideal for operations in the mountains. It can also fly at night or in bad weather conditions. Its possible uses range from troop transport, disaster relief and emergency response to firefighting, mountain rescue and medical evacuation flights to air protection in the armed version.
All Austrian S-70 “Black Hawks” are stationed at the Brumowski air host in Langenlebarn. On September 21, 2002, the first flight of a Federal Army "Black Hawk" took place in Austria. After two decades, the aircraft of the Austrian Armed Forces have logged around 30,000 flight hours and transported around 250,000 passengers and 27,000 tonnes of freight. The "Black Hawk" proven itself as a powerful and reliable helicopter in numerous missions at home and abroad, including when fighting forest fires in Hirschwang an der Rax.
On 22 February 2022, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner handed over the third upgraded S-70 "Black Hawk" transport helicopter to the troops at Brumowski Air Base. On June 1, 2017, the contract was signed with the company "ACE Aeronautics" from the USA - whose offer, in addition to the replacement of individual technical components with limited usability, provided for a completely new cockpit and still emerged as the best bidder in the competition. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: "I am very pleased that we have succeeded in giving new impetus to this necessary modernization of our 'Black Hawk' helicopters. The third is here, two are on the way to the USA and the remaining four will be in Austria. With the purchase of three more 'Black Hawks', we should have all twelve available in Austria in 2025 using the latest state-of-the-art technology."
With this modification, the entire system, i.e. the entire cockpit, is replaced instead of individual avionics systems. Systems were also replaced that would only have to be replaced in the coming years. This means that no further upgrade is necessary over a long period of time. Due to this measure, it is to be expected that the availability and selective replacement of components will require significantly less technical and therefore financial effort in the future.
The Austrian Ministry of Defense announced September 21, 2023 the decision to select the C-390 Millennium aircraft as its new tactical transport solution. Embraer is honored to be chosen to support this important Air Force in Europe. Austria joins Brazil, Portugal, Hungary and the Netherlands as future operator of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission platform, an aircraft that is rapidly redefining the standards of tactical transport in the world defense market. Embraer is ready to support the Austrian Ministry of Defense and Air Force in order to meet the demanding requirements of their acquisition process and prepared to further strengthen the relationship with this nation.
Phaseout of the Drakens was scheduled to begin about 1995, and studies were under way to select a replacement, one that can be configured for both air defense and ground support missions. Possible replacements for the Draken were the United States F-16 and F/A-18. In addition to the two squadrons of Drakens, the air force had thirty-one Saab 105Oe fighters available for reconnaissance and close air support of ground troops; however, eight Saabs, borrowed from the combat squadrons, were regularly employed as jet conversion trainers. Acquired in 1970-72 after service in the Swedish air force, the subsonic Saabs were of limited value in a combat role. The Central Flying School at Zeltweg was equipped with Saab 91D Safirs and Saab 105Oes, while transport pilots train on PC7s. Austrian pilots are sent to northern Sweden for training in operation of the Drakens.
In July 2002 the Austrian government selected the European-built Eurofighter Typhoon to replace its aging fleet of jet fighters. The government’s murky 2002 decision – one never properly explained to the public – that had all the earmarks of a devious deal and has raised more questions than answers over the next five years. The contract could be worth up to $1.76 billion if Austria opted for the full order of 24 planes. The order was the first confirmed export for the Eurofighter, which had 620 orders from the countries that are building it. In order to secure the contract, EADS agreed to initiate counter deals worth €4 billion for Austrian companies. Agreeing to offset business worth twice the original contract is quite unusual - Airbus, then EADS, really wanted to make this first sale.
On 25 November 2005, after more than 17 years of flawless service, 500 alerted take-offs and 23,545 hours of logged flight on behalf of the Austrian Air Force's pilots on Saab's Draken 35OE, the prominent delta wings take their leave and thus round off a major chapter of aviation in the Austrian Armed Forces. The Air Force organized a festivity in honor of the Draken in Zeltweg, Upper Styria, which was the second air base apart from Graz having Drakens stationed. Günther Platter, Minister of Defence, cordially welcomed his predecessors in office, Friedhelm Frischenschlager, Helmut Krünes, Robert Lichal and Herbert Scheibner. Officially, all Draken aircraft were grounded permanently starting from 31 December. The Drakens' fiftieth anniversary marked the fighters' end of service - coincidentally, the Army is of the same age.
On 30 June 2008 Austria handed back its twelve F-5 "Tiger" interceptor planes to the Swiss Air Force. Since July 2004, the Austrian Armed Forces had been leasing the planes to bridge the gap between the retirement of the ageing Saab Drakens and the new Eurofighter jets that Austria was receiving. Before the flyout, the Austrian Minister of Defence Norbert Darabos emphasised the special relationship between Austria and Switzerland. Among other things, he mentioned the seamless co-operation during the operation to protect the European Football Championships held in the two countries in June 2008.
During the four years of service in Austria, the F-5 "Tigers" totaled over 5,000 flying hours, providing air patrols to protect numerous events, including visits by U.S. President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI. The jets were maintained and operated by personnel of the Austrian Armed Forces. Air policing and air defence operations are now performed by the new Eurofighters. The jets are stationed at the military airbase in Zeltweg/Styria and they are operated by the Überwachungsgeschwader (surveillance squadron).
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