The name of the Military of Austria is Bundesheer ("Federal Army"). For a short while between 1918 and 1921 the Austrian semi-regular army was called Volkswehr (peoples defence), fighting against Slovenian occupation forces in Carinthia. Since then (with the exception of the period 1938-1945, when Austria was a part of Nazi Germany; see also Anschluss) it has been known as "Bundesheer". The Austrian Army did develop a defence plan in 1938 against Germany, but due to political decisions it was never carried out. 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Carinthia (German Kärnten, Slovenian KoroÅ¡ka) is a Austrian state or Land, located in the south of Austria. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... German troops march into Austria on 12 March 1938. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

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). 1955 (MCMLV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A neutral country takes no side in a war between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them. ...

With the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military has been increasingly used to safeguard Austrian borders against illegal immigrants. The war in the neighbouring Balkans had resulted in the restrictions on the Austrian military's range of weaponry, imposed by a 1955 international treaty, being lifted. Combatants {{{combatant1}}} {{{combatant2}}} Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} {{{notes}}} The Cold War was the protracted geostrategic, economic and ideological struggle that emerged after World War II between the global superpowers of the Soviet Union and the United States, supported by their respective and emerging alliance partners. ... It has been suggested that Timeline of Yugoslavia be merged into this article or section. ... 1955 (MCMLV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. 1991 (MCMXCI in Roman) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants U.S.-led coalition Iraq Commanders General Norman Schwarzkopf, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell Saddam Hussein Strength 660,000 600,000+ Casualties 345 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 - 100,000 dead, 100,000 - 300,000 wounded {{{notes}}} The 1991 Gulf War was a conflict... 1995 (MCMXCV in Roman) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The NATO flag NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for collective security established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, D.C., on...

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. The Leopard 2 is a German main battle tank built by the German company Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann, developed in the early 1970s and first entering service in 1979, replacing the earlier Leopard in the MBT role in the Bundeswehr. ... Pandurs in the Austrian army were created in the 18th century and they were a non-linear (irregular) infantry, whose main objective was to assassinate enemy officers, conduct guerrilla warfare, and to fight in extended formations. ... A Warrior vehicle with UN markings, during the making of the eponymous film. ... Lockheed C-130H Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop aircraft that serves as the main tactical airlifter for military forces worldwide. ... The Sikorsky UH(Utility Helicopter)-60 Black Hawk is twin-turbine engine, single rotor, semimonocoque fuselage, rotary wing helicopter. ... British Eurofighter Development Aircraft (DA) The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multi-role canard-delta strike fighter aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, Eurofighter GmbH, formed in 1983. ...

Traditions

Some of the traditions of the old Austro-Hungarian Army continues to be carried on in Bundesheer. For example, the most famous Regiment of all, the "Hoch und Deutschmeister Regiment", is now known as Landwehrstammregiment "Maria Theresien Kaserne" after Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. H.I.M. Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, Great Principess of Transylvania, Duchess of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla Maria Theresa (May 13, 1717 – November 29, 1780) was the first and only female head of the Habsburg dynasty. ...

Reference

• CIA World Factbook, 2005

World Factbook 2004 cover The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. ...

See also

• The term Austrian army may also refer to the army of the Austrian Empire or the Austro-Hungarian Army.

Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy The Crown Austrian Emperor, formerly Crown Holy Roman Emperor The Austrian Empire is the name of Austria during the time from 1804 - 1867. ... The Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. ...

External links

• Ministry of Defence (BMLV)
• BHI.AT - Austrians greatest Army Webmagazine