Austrian Air Force
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Contents |
[edit] History
The Austrian Air Force (de: Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte) was formed in May 1955 by the victorious Allied powers, it was formed as part of the now fully independent Austrian armed forces. Like Germany, there were some restrictions on it, like not being able to use air-to-air (AAMs) or surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) until the 1990s.
Training pilots started out with a few Yak 11 Moose and Yak 18 Max aircraft donated by the Soviet Union. It then started getting cheap aircraft from the United States under the Military Assistance Program (MAP), but Austria had to buy its first aircraft consisting of Piper PA-18s, Zlin 126s, Cessna 172s, Cessna 182s, Vampires, Magisters, Alouette IIs and Sikorsky S-55s. Only Italy donated five Fiat G-46's. Until between 1958 and 1960 Austria purchased under the MAP 62 aircraft, but with no fighter aircraft.
In 1985 Austria purchased 24 reconditioned J 35 Draken. Also several Saab 105OE trainer air crafts were bought. The Draken protected the southern border of Austria in 1991 during the fist Balkan War between Slovenia and Serbia, when Serbian fighters crossed the border without permission.
After the avalanche in Galtür in 1999, it became apparent that the Austrian Air Force's helicopter compliment were too few in numbers and too limited in design. Therefore, several US built Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were purchased, to be used for transportation during disasters.
In 2003 Austria's transport capability was boosted when they purchased three C-130 Hercules from the Royal Air Force. These aircraft were needed for the demanding quest of UN peacekeepers in which Austria played a role in.
Today the Saab Draken are being replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon, as the Draken are no longer supported by Saab. Before the first delivery of Typhoons, scheduled in 2007, F-5 Tiger II are being leased from Switzerland as a stopgap measure. Still, the Eurofighter purchase is a controversy in Austria, with defense minister Norbert Darabos trying to back out of the Eurofighter contract because of the high costs.
[edit] Air Force Bases
The Austrian Air Force has ten air force bases strategically placed throughout the country. The locations and details of the bases are listed below.
-Schwaz is situated in western Austria. The base consists of six grass runways. The aircraft based at Schwaz are as followed: Pilatus PC-6 trainers, Pilatus PC-7 trainers, OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, and Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters.
-Linz is located in northern Austria near Germany. The airport is mainly civil but the Austrian Air force has a small detachment located at the airport. The aircraft based at Linz are as followed: Bell 212 helicopters, Saab 105 Trainer/Attack aircraft, and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
-Aigen im Ennstal is located in central Austria. Aigen is one of Austria's smaller bases, consisting of Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters. Aigen is responsible for maintenance and modification of Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters.
-Klagenfurt is situated in southern Austria near Slovenia. The aircraft stationed at Klagenfurt are as followed: OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, Pilatus PC-6 trainers, and Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters.
-Zeltweg is located in south-central Austria near the city of Graz. The base consists of most of Austria's Saab 105 Trainer/Attack aircraft. It is also the home of some of the Pilatus PC-7 trainers.
-The city of Graz is located in south-central Austria. Graz-Thalerhof Airport is mainly civil but the Austrian Air force is also stationed there. Graz is home to Saab 105 Trainer/Attack aircraft, but more importantly it is the home of Austria's Northrop F-5 fighter jets(leased from the Swiss until the Eurofighter Typhoon deliveries begin.) When the Eurofighter Typhoon are delivered they will be based at Graz.
-Allensteig is situated in northern Austria near the Czech Republic. Being a smaller base, it consists of only a few OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.
-Tulln is located in eastern Austria. Tulln is one of Austria's larger bases. It is home to the new UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters, as well as Bell 212 utility helicopters, Pilatus PC-6 trainers, and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.
-Wiener Neustadt is located just south of Vienna. The base consists of Pilatus PC-6 trainers, and Shorts SC.7 Skyvan transport aircraft used to train parachutists.
-Punitz is situated in south-east Austria near the Hungarian border. It's main task is search and rescue and therefore it is composed of Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters since they are recognised for their mountain rescue capabilities and adaptability.
[edit] Inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aérospatiale Alouette III |  France |
Utility helicopter | SA 316A | 24 | |
| Bell 206 |  Italy United States |
Utility helicopter | Agusta AB206A OH-58B Kiowa |
11 11 |
|
| Bell 212 | Italy United States |
Utility helicopter | Agusta AB212 Bell 212 |
22 11 |
|
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules | United States |
Transport | C-130K | 3 | |
| Northrop F-5 Tiger II | United States |
Fighter | F-5E | 12 | Leased from Switzerland pending Eurofighter Typhoon deliveries. |
| Pilatus PC-6 |  Switzerland |
Utility | PC-6/B | 12 | |
| Pilatus PC-7 | Switzerland |
Trainer | 16 | ||
| Saab 105 |  Sweden |
Attack | 105ÖE | 28 | |
| Shorts SC.7 Skyvan |  United Kingdom |
Transport | 2 | ||
| Sikorsky S-70 | United States |
Utility helicopter | S-70A | 9 |
[edit] References
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
