Austria plans to order long-range air defense systems
21 November, 2023 Launcher of the Patriot PAC-3MSE anti-aircraft missile system. Photo credits: U.S. Army
The Austrian government plans to order long-range air defense systems to bolster European air defense. Defense News reported on this. The decision follows Austria's recent accession to the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative, which aims to set up integrated and interoperable air defenses amid a full-scale war in Ukraine.
The country should decide on the purchase of a specific model of air defense system by 2025, with the contract to be signed in 2026.
Arrow-3 air defense system. Photo credits: IAI
According to the plan, the new systems will be part of the Austrian Armed Forces in 2027 and will provide NATO's northern flank with additional capabilities. During a November 16 conference in Vienna, the government decided to start looking for suitable systems on its own and not to join the German order for Arrow-3 systems.
The prime candidates are widely believed to be the American-made Patriot PAC-3MSE system or the American-Israeli Arrow 3. In addition to long-range systems, Austria signed a contract to purchase the German IRIS-T short-range air defense system. The system will help set up a layered defense and provide new capabilities to the Austrian Armed Forces.
GDF anti-aircraft gun of the Austrian Armed Forces.
Photo from the network
Until 1990, Austria was prohibited by its 1955 state treaty from possessing any weapons with a range greater than 30 kilometers. At present, Austria's ground-based air defenses consist only of "shortest-range" systems, namely MISTRAL missiles and 35mm anti-aircraft cannons. Militarnyi previously reported that Finland had purchased David's Sling missile defense systems from Israel.
The deal, which is being called historic, is estimated to be worth about EUR317 million. According to the agreement, Israel will transfer Israeli-American missiles, launchers, and radars made in Israel to Finland. The purchase consists of a main contract worth approximately EUR213 million and the immediate exercise of options related to the main contract for EUR103 million.
No other details of the deal and the number of systems were disclosed by either party.