On October 17, 2024, the 175th anniversary of the Felixdorf im Steinfeld shooting and testing range in Ebenfurth was celebrated in the presence of Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. As part of the anniversary celebration, in addition to the historical development of the firing range, its performance in sniping was also presented: the demonstrations included, among other things, exercises with the Leopard 2 main battle tank, the Ulan infantry fighting vehicle and the M-109 self-propelled howitzer, as well as rappelling from a Black Hawk helicopter and firing flares. The Steinfeld – the area where the firing range is located – is a central training area for the Federal Army.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “175 years of the Felixdorf shooting and testing range – that means 175 years of progress, security and groundbreaking developments in the service of our national defense. The knowledge gained here has made a significant contribution to equipping and protecting our soldiers in the best possible way. This anniversary is a proud moment that shows us how important it is to preserve what has been tried and tested and at the same time look forward to innovation. Today underlines the importance of this facility and the people who work every day to ensure that the armed forces are operational and protected.”
Shooting tests have been taking place on the current site of the Felixdorf shooting range since 1849. Experts from the Office for Armaments and Defense Technology have been using modern measurement and testing technology to ensure the safe testing, introduction and adaptation of weapons and ammunition for the Federal Army for decades. The shooting range with modern shooting, blasting and testing facilities is unique in Austria and Europe. With one of the longest shooting channels in Europe, the shooting range enables experiments to be carried out without environmental influences and in the dark. Key weapons technology developments were finalized at the firing range, such as the 77 assault rifle and the 80 pistol, which are used worldwide.
The firing range is an indispensable component for the armed forces and plays a central role in operational preparation. The area in Steinfeld is also used by the Jagdkommando, the special unit of the Federal Army, for their operational training. It is also used by the Ministry of Defense’s demining service to safely dispose of war relics from the Second World War. In addition, the disarmament stand of the Ministry of the Interior’s defusing service is available.
OTS ORIGINAL TEXT PRESS RELEASE UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SENDER FOR CONTENT – WWW.OTS.AT | NLA