Military of Austria
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The name of the Military of Austria is Bundesheer ("Federal army"). In 1955, Austria declared her Everlasting Neutrality and made neutrality a constitutional law. The main purpose of the Austrian military since then has been the protection of Austria's neutrality. The branches are Land Forces (KdoLdSK) and Air Forces (KdoLuSK).
With the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military has been increasingly used to safeguard Austrian borders against illegal immigrants.
Austria's support of the US-led coalition in the 1991 Gulf War, as well as Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 are seen as a weakening of Austria's neutrality, and possibly the first steps to joining a (future) European military alliance or NATO.
Recently, Austria has spent considerable amounts of money modernizing its military arsenal. Leopard 2 main battle tanks, ULAN and Pandur infantry fighting vehicles, C-130 Hercules transport planes, UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters, and Eurofighter Typhoon multi-purpose combat aircraft have been (or are being) purchased.
Reference
- CIA World Factbook, 2005
See also
- The term Austrian army may also refer to the army of the Austrian Empire or the Austro-Hungarian Army.de:Österreichisches Bundesheer