33 international exercises with over 1,500 soldiers planned for 2025

In 2025, the Federal Army will exercise with a total of 1,514 soldiers in 33 international exercises – that corresponds to an average of three exercises per month. These take place, among others, in cooperation with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, the NATO Partnership for Peace and other international partners. The exercises affect all areas of the armed forces: from the fighter command, to explosive ordnance disposal, the “Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit” (AFDRU) and the EU battle group, to the remaining parts of the land and air forces.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “The security of our country is the top priority. 33 exercises are planned for the coming year, which are an important part of the Armed Forces’ preparation for possible crisis situations. They strengthen both the operational readiness of the troops and the defense capability of our country. International cooperation in particular plays an important role in overcoming future challenges together.”

The United Nations’ Disaster Relief Exercises will begin in Italy in April 2025. Until September, forest fire fighting, water treatment and the detection of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons will be trained in various countries during the series of exercises. 350 soldiers take part. The Austrian participants are experts and specialist staff from the NBC defense center and parts of the “Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit”. Particular attention is paid to the skills and capacities in the field of “Urban Search And Rescue” (USAR).

Another exercise is the “Ardent Defender”, which is carried out by the “Joint Counter-Explosive Threat Task Force” of the Canadian Armed Forces in Canada. Canada, Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Austria are taking part in the 18-day exercise. The focus is on international cooperation in the area of ​​explosive ordnance defense and crisis management in a multinational environment.

Three of the 33 exercises take place with 388 participants in collaboration with international organizations. A further three exercises will be carried out by the European Union with a planned deployment of 270 soldiers. 105 people are practicing as part of the NATO Partnership for Peace. 751 soldiers are taking part in 24 exercises as part of bi- and multinational cooperation.