Austrian Armed Forces

Quick Facts: Who was Austrian Armed Forces?

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Austrian Armed Forces

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The combined military forces of the Republic of Austria, focused on neutrality.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Austrian Armed Forces (Austrian German: Bundesheer, lit. 'Federal Army') are the combined military forces of Austria. The military consists of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists. The military budget is 1.0% of national GDP (including pensions) or €3.317 billion (2023, without pensions). In 1918, the Republic of German-Austria established a military known as the German-Austrian People's Militia or Deutschösterreichische Volkswehr ("People's Defence").

Career & Major Achievements

Volkswehr forces took part in military confrontations with Royal Yugoslav Army troops which occupied parts of Carinthia that Austria claimed as its own. In 1920, after the Republic of German-Austria transitioned into the First Austrian Republic, the new regime changed the military's name to the Bundesheer ("Federal Army"), which it has been known by ever since. In 1938, Bundesheer officers led by Alfred Jansa developed a military operation plan to defend against a potential invasion by Nazi Germany, which ultimately went unused due to a lack of political willpower when the Germans annexed Austria in the same year during the Anschluss. Under German rule, the Bundesheer was disbanded, and many Austrians served during World War II in the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS (Austrian SS). World War II role of the "Bundesheer": Elements of Austrian Army became 9th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht) Elements of Austrian Army became 44th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) 4th Austrian Division became the 45th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) 5th and 7th Austrian Divisions became the 3rd Mountain Division (Wehrmacht) 6th Austrian Division became the 2nd Mountain Division (Wehrmacht) In 1955, Austria issued its Declaration of Neutrality, meaning that it would never join a military alliance.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Austrian Armed Forces' main purpose since then has been the protection of Austria's neutrality. Its relationship with NATO is limited to the Partnership for Peace programme. With the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military have increasingly assisted the border police in controlling the influx of undocumented migrants through Austrian borders. The war in the neighbouring Balkans resulted in the lifting of the restrictions on the range of weaponry of the Austrian military that had been imposed by the Austrian State Treaty. On 1 March 1978, the "Wehrgesetz 1978" became law, which encompassed the "Heeresgliederung 1978" plan to grow the Austrian Armed Forces to 384,000 (84,000 active, 300,000 militia) by the early 1990s to be able to fully employ the Austrian Raumverteidigung concept.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1918: 1918 Milestone — In 1918, the Republic of German-Austria established a military known as the German-Austrian People's Militia or Deutschösterreichische Volkswehr ("People's Defence").
2. 1920: 1920 Milestone — In 1920, after the Republic of German-Austria transitioned into the First Austrian Republic, the new regime changed the military's name to the Bundesheer ("Federal Army"), which it has been known by ever since.
3. 1938: 1938 Milestone — In 1938, Bundesheer officers led by Alfred Jansa developed a military operation plan to defend against a potential invasion by Nazi Germany, which ultimately went unused due to a lack of political willpower when the Germans annexed Austria in the same year during the Anschluss.
4. 1955: 1955 Milestone — World War II role of the "Bundesheer": Elements of Austrian Army became 9th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht) Elements of Austrian Army became 44th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) 4th Austrian Division became the 45th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) 5th and 7th Austrian Divisions became the 3rd Mountain Division (Wehrmacht) 6th Austrian Division became the 2nd Mountain Division (Wehrmacht) In 1955, Austria issued its Declaration of Neutrality, meaning that it would never join a military alliance.
5. 1978: 1978 Milestone — On 1 March 1978, the "Wehrgesetz 1978" became law, which encompassed the "Heeresgliederung 1978" plan to grow the Austrian Armed Forces to 384,000 (84,000 active, 300,000 militia) by the early 1990s to be able to fully employ the Austrian Raumverteidigung concept.
6. 2023: 2023 Milestone — 317 billion (2023, without pensions).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Austrian Armed Forces

True or False: “Did the Austrian Armed Forces ever participate in a major offensive operation against a neighboring country?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The primary historical focus of the Bundesheer has been on defending Austria's neutrality and resisting potential invasions rather than launching large-scale offensives.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Austrian Armed Forces