Military & Security

Military - note

The main duties of the military involve national defense and maintaining Austria's neutrality; it also has certain responsibilities related to domestic security and disaster response. Each of the nine federal states is equipped with a military command that serves as a liaison between military forces and civil authorities. The primary functions of these commands encompass providing military aid during disasters and assisting security police operations.

Austria's military plays a role in international peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. Since 1955, Austria has been constitutionally non-aligned in military matters, yet it is a member of the EU and actively engages in EU peacekeeping and crisis management efforts as part of the EU Common Security and Defense Policy. Although Austria is not a NATO member, it became part of NATO's Partnership for Peace initiative in 1995 and is involved in several NATO-led crisis management and peacekeeping missions. Since 1960, over 100,000 personnel from the Austrian military and civilian sector have participated in more than 50 international peace support and humanitarian missions (2025).

Military deployments

210 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 100 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 160 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025).

Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer): Land Forces, Air Force, Cyber Forces, Special Operations Forces, Militia (reserves) (2025).

Military service age and obligation

Individuals are required to register at the age of 17, which is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; men over 18 are obligated to complete compulsory military service, while women have the option to volunteer. Compulsory service lasts for 6 months, or alternatively, individuals may choose civil/community service (Zivildienst) for 9 months (2025).

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The military's arsenal comprises a combination of domestically manufactured and imported weapons from European nations and the United States; the Austrian defense industry produces various types of equipment and collaborates with other countries (2025).

Military and security service personnel strengths

Approximately 22,000 active personnel in the Armed Forces (which includes about 14,000 regular troops and roughly 8,000 reservists/militia undergoing refresher training) (2025).