Support services: help and training benefits at the same time
Vienna (OTS) – In 2023, the Federal Army completed a total of 271 support services across Austria: 4,282 soldiers supported civilian emergency organizations and the population with almost 37,000 hours. The Federal Army provides military infrastructure – for example for police operations – as well as food for troops and accommodation for rescue organizations or supports major events.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “The support services are not only invaluable for the training of our soldiers, but also offer a direct benefit for society. The provision of military resources for public purposes shows the dual benefit of these services: the operational readiness of the armed forces is strengthened, while society benefits from the additional support for civilian challenges. This shows that military capabilities can be used for the benefit of society as a whole.”
Most of the support services in 2023 resulted from the provision and shared use of military infrastructure for authorities or emergency services: the Federal Army carried out 237 support services in these areas. For example, the Federal Army makes military properties available for training purposes. In total, the army pioneers carried out 15 support services last year: four in Upper Austria and Salzburg, three in Carinthia, two in Tyrol and one each in Lower Austria and Styria. These include, for example, the construction, dismantling and renovation of bridges. These support services had an important training and further education benefit for the soldiers. This enabled them to deepen their knowledge and skills to carry out national military defense tasks.
Federal state balance sheet 2023
Most support services were provided in Lower Austria with a total of 76 missions. For example, soldiers built a Bailey bridge in the Rehberg area. In Salzburg there were 70 achievements: Among other things, soldiers blew up a rock in the Muhr municipality. The Federal Army carried out 38 support services in Upper Austria: pioneers built a bridge in Kleinzell and in St. Georgen im Attergau. In Tyrol, 29 support services were provided. Fourteen support services took place in Burgenland and eleven in Carinthia. The Federal Army primarily provided military infrastructure to the state police departments for training purposes. There were 14 support services in Styria: In Weinzödl, for example, a rock slab was removed. Seven support services took place in Vienna – including for police dog training. Overall, in 2023, the focus was on support services through the provision of infrastructure, for example for police training.
So far, the extent of support in 2024 is at a similar level to 2023. For example, soldiers have built a temporary bridge over the Lammer in Salzburg or partially dismantled Panzerigel in Carinthia.
Support service or assistance?
In addition to support services, the Federal Army also goes on assistance missions. Authorities call on soldiers when their own human and material resources are no longer sufficient. The Federal Army covers the costs of assistance missions – in contrast to support services, which may only be provided by the Ministry of Defense if the legal requirements for an assistance mission do not exist and at the same time there is a significant training benefit or a clearly recognizable military policy added value for the Federal Army. Then personnel and army equipment, such as excavators or engineer machines, can be deployed. The applicant bears the costs of support services.
Further information on domestic operations is available here: https://www.bundesheer.at/factsheets-1/factsheet-inlandseinsatz
Questions & Contact:
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