For the 29th time, the Austrian Federal Army traditionally presented itself around the national holiday with an information and performance show in Vienna’s city center – and this year also in Salzburg’s Schwarzenberg barracks. Hundreds of thousands of visitors found out about job and career opportunities and the latest developments in the armed forces. Soldiers presented the new “Pandur Evolution” personnel carrier, the “Ulan” infantry fighting vehicle, the newly purchased AW 169 “Leonardo” helicopter, the Eurofighter and the future “Skyranger” air defense system.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner said at Heldenplatz: “We often take it for granted that we live in peace, in freedom and in a democracy. If we look beyond our borders, we see that this is not something to be taken for granted. And the Austrians know what they get from neutrality. Only once or twice in the past have we forgotten that it is also about being able to defend them with all the means available. Anyone who visits the Federal Army’s exhibition in Vienna and Salzburg will see that the Federal Army is on its ‘Mission Forward’ due to the budgetary resources – towards a modern army with new equipment in the air, on land and in the water with the appropriate equipment and Weapons, modern communication devices for our soldiers. However, all this equipment would not help us if there were not people who could operate this equipment.”
Retrofitting and personnel offensive
This year, the Federal Army once again presented numerous career opportunities and showed what it means to be a soldier or what opportunities there are, for example in the area of apprenticeship training or further education and training. Tanner: “The biggest challenge for the Defense Department in the coming years will be personnel and personnel recruitment. This affects both professional soldiers and civilian employees but especially the militia. Therefore, the focus of this year’s exhibition is on recruiting personnel.”
Four days of information
The “Teaching Career Platform” opened the four-day information event on October 23, 2024 in Vienna. The Federal Army, together with the Austrian Integration Fund and the Vienna Education Directorate, informed over 3,000 students at Heldenplatz about career opportunities with apprenticeships.
On “School Day”, October 25th, 1,300 students from 40 schools in downtown Vienna visited to find out about military service and the numerous career opportunities.
On the national holiday, wreath-laying ceremony at Heldenplatz by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the federal government opened the celebrations for the national holiday. Hundreds of thousands of visitors who came to the historic square attended the inauguration of 1,119 recruits, 26 of whom were women, who took the pledge of loyalty to the Republic of Austria. At the same time, 700 military servants, seven of whom were women, were sworn in in Salzburg.
Visitors found out more in Vienna at Heldenplatz, at the Burgtheater, on the Freyung and Am Hof at theme islands such as “Military National Defense”, where brigades and battalions from all over Austria, the military police and the hunting command presented themselves. Military experts explained the “ÖBH2032+ development plan” and Eurofighter pilots provided information about air traffic surveillance. In the “Career in the Armed Forces” section, the Army Personnel Office provided information about job opportunities. The Guard provided a deep insight into everyday life as a military servant. The “Helicopter” theme island showed the new AW-169 “Leonardo”. In the “Sport in the Armed Forces” section, competitive army athletes informed visitors about training opportunities. “Foreign operations” was discussed by experts from the foreign operations base together with the “Association of Austrian Peacekeepers”. The topic island “Medical care in action” offered insights into military medicine. The mountain troops operated a climbing tower and a zip line above Heroes’ Square. Militiamen provided information on “Militia recruits militia”.
The exhibition in the Schwarzenberg barracks in Salzburg showed an overview of the types of helicopters used by the armed forces. Eurofighters flew over the information show, and a combat demonstration showed military national defense. Air force soldiers presented air surveillance and anti-aircraft systems. The “Polaris” hot air balloon in the army design was a popular photo motif. Parachutists from the Jagdkommando explained their special equipment. Electronic drone defense experts presented the Federal Army’s responses to drone threats. Military dog handlers demonstrated operational scenarios in which protection and search dogs solved dangerous situations. Logisticians offered insights into Army workshops. Experts presented developments in cyberspace and news in information and communication technology.
On October 27th, the Federal Army will be showing an information show at Heldenplatz, Am Hof and the Burgtheater. The program can be found at nationalfeiertag24.at.
More than 1,500 army members, including professional and militia soldiers, military servicemen and civilian employees, ensured that everything ran smoothly around this year’s national holiday in Vienna and Salzburg.
Armed Forces information and fitness animation right into your living room
This year, the Federal Army once again cooperated with the ORF, which broadcast the national holiday live on television in Vienna and, for the first time, in Salzburg – so that even those who could not make it to the exhibition in person could find out more. Furthermore, the Federal Army, together with the ORF, took part in the exercise initiative “We move Austria”, which – launched by the ORF – motivates the Austrian population to exercise and sport and thus promote mental and physical health. On the national holiday, there were animated participation stations, including one from the Austrian football team “Vienna Vikings” with their cheerleaders.
Free photos You can find information about the information events in Vienna and Salzburg at National Day 2024 | flickr.