Austria is planning to extend its military service from six to nine months, in response to the growing security threat in Europe since the start of the Ukraine war.
The Federal Chancellery said in a July 27 statement that the additional three-month period will be comprised of mandatory troop exercises and basic military service.
Subsequent military exercises must also be undertaken within 10 years of conscripts’ initial service.
Along with extending the term, pay would be increased to 1,000 euros ($1,140) a month and leave days would be introduced for conscripts.
At around their 18th birthday, Austrian men and boys have a choice between joining the military or a civilian service where they work at institutions such as retirement homes or for the ambulance service.
The government also approved changes to civil service that would see a voluntary extension from nine to 11 months.
However, the chancellery said that if there are too few conscripts available, “a legal mechanism will automatically take effect, making civilian service mandatory for 11 months.”
The Federal Government approved the reforms during the summer meeting of the Council of Ministers in the Schwarzenberg Barracks in Wals-Siezenheim, Salzburg.
However, making those changes will require passing legislation with a two-thirds majority in parliament.
The coalition government will need the support of other parties, such as the Greens or right-wing Freedom Party.
Security Conditions in Europe
The federal government said the aim was to strengthen defense and boost military service.
Austria is a member of the European Union, but not a member of NATO and remains neutral.
Its armed forces serve mainly as a civil protection force that assists other services during natural disasters or conducts border controls to intercept illegal immigrants.
However, for years Vienna has been trying to better equip and prepare its armed services, which the authorities have said would be unable to defend Austria against a serious attack by an outside force.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker told a press conference at a military barracks outside Salzburg that the security conditions on the continent “have changed fundamentally in the past years, months and weeks.”
“The dream of a lasting peace in Europe shattered … with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine,” he said.
Some new threats facing Austria, he said, include cyberwarfare and hybrid threats, which include sabotage and propaganda.
“These developments show clearly that Austria must take charge to a greater extent of its own capabilities for self-reliance and protection of the population,” Stocker said.
National Service
Several countries across Europe have in recent years reformed their military and voluntary services in response to the perceived growing threat of aggression from Russia.
Recruits will be paid for their 10 months of service, during which they will receive military training, including how to handle weapons. They will only be expected to serve on French soil.
The law stops short of conscription but leaves the option open if a voluntary drive fails to produce the required number of military personnel.
