Austria Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 64th
MPR SCORE: 520
MPR Index: 0.2053 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.7531 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.185 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Austria ranks 64th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). As a constitutionally neutral state in Central Europe, Austria’s defense policy is centered on territorial protection, civil defense, and internal stability. The Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) are structured for national defense and crisis response rather than offensive operations, and Austria does not participate in NATO military structures.
Strengths: Neutral Defensive Force with Alpine and Civil Capabilities
Mountain Warfare and Territorial Defense: Austria maintains elite Gebirgsjäger (mountain infantry) trained for high-altitude operations, enabling robust defense in alpine terrain.
Civil Protection and Disaster Relief: The Bundesheer plays a leading role in disaster response, flood relief, and pandemic support, with integrated logistics and engineering units.
Professional Conscription Model: Austria combines professional troops with a mandatory conscription system, maintaining a broad-trained civilian reserve and a high level of readiness for national emergencies.
EU Security Cooperation: While not a NATO member, Austria collaborates closely with EU defense initiatives, conducting joint exercises and intelligence-sharing with Germany, Switzerland, and other neutral or allied European nations.
Why Austria Is Still Ranked Just 64th
1. Small Force and Limited Modernization
Austria fields a modest-sized military with aging platforms.
Active personnel under 25,000, with limited heavy armor
Core ground force built around light infantry and limited mechanized units
Modernization projects for vehicles, helicopters, and drones remain underfunded
2. No Strategic or Expeditionary Capability
Austria’s force structure is strictly defensive and lacks power projection tools.
No strategic lift, offensive missile systems, or air refueling
Air Force operates Saab 105 and Eurofighter Typhoon for national airspace control only
No capacity to engage in high-intensity or out-of-area conflict without allied support
3. Constitutional Neutrality and Limited Alliance Integration
Austria’s neutrality constrains international defense alignment.
Not a NATO member; avoids participation in most offensive coalition operations
Relies on bilateral or EU-based defense pacts, not full-spectrum collective defense
Minimal exposure to modern multinational combat environments
Conclusion
Austria maintains a capable and reliable national defense force tailored to homeland protection, civil support, and alpine warfare. However, in the context of the MPR—which emphasizes global power projection, autonomous deterrence, and force depth—Austria ranks 64th, limited by its neutrality, small force size, and non-expeditionary doctrine.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 22,000
Reserve Personnel: 55,000
Paramilitary Forces: 8,000 (Federal Police & Special Forces)
Army Personnel: 18,000
Air Force Personnel: 4,000
Navy Personnel: N/A (Landlocked)
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 56 (Leopard 2A4)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 800+ (Pandur II, Ulan IFVs)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 120+ (M109A5, mortars)
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 15 (Eurofighter Typhoon)
Helicopters: 40+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Eurofighter Typhoon: 15
Saab 105OE (Trainer & Light Attack): 8 (being phased out)
C-130K Hercules: 3 (transport)
S-70 Black Hawk: 12 (utility helicopter)
Alouette III: 15+ (light transport, reconnaissance)
Naval Forces
None (Austria is landlocked, with no naval assets)
Missile Capabilities
Austria does not maintain strategic missile forces but focuses on air defense and anti-tank systems, including:
Mistral MANPADS (Surface-to-Air Missiles)
RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missiles (Coastal Defense)
Spike-LR Anti-Tank Missiles
Strategic Partnerships
Austria adheres to military neutrality but cooperates with EU security initiatives and maintains a bilateral defense relationship with Germany and Switzerland. It contributes to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping and participates in EU Battlegroups for crisis management.
Military History & Combat Experience
Austria’s military history reflects its transformation from an imperial power to a neutral republic focused on territorial defense. While modern Austria has not engaged in major warfare since World War II, its historical legacy includes centuries of regional and continental conflict.
Austro-Hungarian Empire and 19th Century Conflicts (1804–1918): As part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria fought in multiple major European wars, including the Napoleonic Wars, the Austro-Prussian War (1866), and the Franco-Austrian War. The military was organized around large conscripted armies and multi-ethnic formations spanning Central and Eastern Europe.
World War I (1914–1918): Austria-Hungary was a principal member of the Central Powers, fighting on multiple fronts including Serbia, Italy, and Russia. The war placed enormous strain on the empire and contributed to its collapse. The post-war treaties dismantled the empire and reduced Austria to a small, landlocked republic with limited military capacity.
Interwar Period and Anschluss (1919–1938): The First Austrian Republic maintained a small defensive army under severe restrictions from the Treaty of Saint-Germain. In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany (Anschluss), and its armed forces were absorbed into the Wehrmacht without resistance.
World War II and Aftermath (1939–1945): As part of Nazi Germany, Austrian troops fought in all major theaters of the war. Following Germany’s defeat, Austria was occupied by Allied powers and underwent demilitarization and denazification, eventually regaining sovereignty in 1955 under strict neutrality.
Post-War Neutrality and the Bundesheer (1955–Present): The Austrian State Treaty (1955) restored Austria’s independence under the condition of permanent neutrality. The Bundesheer was re-established as a national defense force with a defensive doctrine. It has since engaged in UN peacekeeping (notably in Cyprus, Golan Heights, and Bosnia) and domestic disaster response but avoids offensive military operations.
Disaster Relief and Civil Support Operations (2000s–Present): Austrian forces routinely support civil authorities during natural disasters, floods, pandemics, and border crises, deploying engineers, transport, and logistics units as part of homeland security efforts.
Austria’s military experience is rooted in imperial history and shaped by its post-war neutrality. While it does not participate in high-intensity coalition combat, the Bundesheer is respected for its professionalism in peacekeeping, civil support, and territorial defense, maintaining readiness in the context of a non-aligned, defensive national strategy.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~9.1 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~3.0 million
Geographic Area: 83,879 km²
Land Boundaries: 2,524 km
Bordering Countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Temperate; Alpine in the west and south, continental in the east
Terrain: Mostly mountainous (Alps); eastern lowlands and basins
Natural Resources: Iron ore, oil, timber, copper, lignite, magnesite, salt, hydropower
Proven Oil Reserves: ~150 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~1.0 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$4.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.9%
GDP (PPP): ~$600 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$66,000
External Debt: ~$290 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradually increasing amid regional tensions and modernization
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (6 months); voluntary for women
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, disaster relief, EU missions, border protection
Military Industry Base: Moderate; includes armored vehicles, ammunition, and electronics
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing under EU cyber initiatives
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Six regional military commands under Austrian Armed Forces
Missile Inventory Highlights: Mistral, RBS-70 NG, Spike
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: High readiness; mobilization in 15–30 days
Reservist Force Size: ~95,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Cooperates with ESA; civil and environmental satellites
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence (DSN), Military Intelligence Office
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: EU, OSCE, regional bilateral pacts
Airports (Total): ~56
Major Military Airports: Zeltweg AB, Langenlebarn AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~30 vessels (riverine)
Major Ports: None (landlocked; Danube river access)
Naval Infrastructure: None
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~5,800 km
Roadways: ~200,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~15,000 barrels per day
Energy Imports: High dependence on EU energy grid and foreign oil/gas
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains ~90-day reserves as per IEA
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Includes armored vehicles (Pandur), rifles, optics, and air defense components
Military Installations (Domestic): Key bases in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None (neutrality policy)
Defense Alliances: Neutral; EU CSDP participant
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-130K; relies on EU/NATO pooling
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Limited but nationally coordinated
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Focused on Alpine warfare, surveillance, sensors
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: OMV (energy), ÖBB (rail), AVL List (automotive), Rosenbauer (emergency equipment)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Vienna
Founding Date: July 27, 1955 (re-establishment of sovereignty and neutrality)
System of Government: Federal parliamentary republic
