THE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

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ANNUAL REPORT 2018

THE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

FOR THE FEDERAL ARME D FORCES

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FOR THE FEDERAL ARME D FORCES

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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Editorial: Published annually, pursuant to section 11, para 4, Rules of Procedure of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces, in conjunction with section 4, para 5, 2001 Defence Act, Federal Law Gazette I No. 146/2001, as amended.

Responsible for the content: Executive Chairman, MP Dr. Reinhard Bösch, and Chairman, former MP Otto Pendl and Chairman MP Mag. Michael Hammer.

Office: 1090 Vienna, Roßauer Lände 1 Telephone: +43 50201 10 21050, +43 1 3198089 Fax: +43 50201 10 17142

E-mail: [email protected]

Photographs: Office of the Parliamentary Director: Thomas Jantzen, Photo Simonis, Parliamentary Commission on the Austrian Armed Forces,

Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence/ Armed Forces Photo and Video Production Service,

Office of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces, 10ICOAF

Print: Armed Forces Printing Office, 1030 Vienna, Arsenal Barracks

Translation: Austrian Armed Forces Language Institute, 1070 Vienna, Stiftskaserne

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Preface by the Presidium

The rights of soldiers and their best possible training and equipment are of great concern to the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces.

Considerable improvements are required in terms of infrastructure, equipment and service regulations.

The Austrian Armed Forces need modern and efficient equipment. First steps in procurement and provision were initiated, including for example, the improvement of mobility and force protection: procurement of off-road trucks and multi-purpose vehicles including tractor units, flatbed trailers, cranes etc., an upgrade to the armour of the existing Pandur fleet and the fielding of the Pandur Evolution armoured personnel carriers, the Hägglunds high-mountain universal transport vehicles, the Mammut CBRN decontamination systems, reconnaissance equipment and electric remote-controlled weapons stations for armoured multi-purpose vehicles.

Based on a Government decision of 22 August 2018 a helicopter package will be implemented.

The Federal Government’s programme states the measures necessary to ensure that the Austrian Armed Forces can successfully accomplish their tasks. This calls for adequate financing.

In the closing remarks of his speech held at the turn of 2018/2019, the Federal President stated, among other things, that the political leaders are responsible for providing the resources necessary to ensure the status of the Armed Forces laid down in the constitution.

In 2018 the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces initiated 267 complaints proceedings. In the previous year, there were 393. The causes of the complaints were directed principally at personnel matters and such ones pertaining to training and routine duty, inadequate infrastructure and deficiencies in the equipment. In close co-operation with the Federal Minister of Defence, problems connected with complaints lodged were often already resolved in the investigation stage in a manner satisfactory to the complainant. The intervention by the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces often quickly remedied aired grievances and thus in many cases contributed to an improvement of the work climate.

Therefore, sincere thanks are given to the following persons, offices and institutions for their cooperation: the Presidium of the National Council, the National Defence Committee, the

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representatives, the personnel representatives, the military chaplains, internationally comparable parliamentary institutions for the supervision of armed forces, including those within the framework of the International Conference of Ombudsman Institutions for the Armed Forces.

A very special thank you is given to the soldiers of the Austrian Armed Forces for their dedicated service both in Austria and abroad.

Vienna, 13 February 2019

Presidium of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces

Former MP Otto Pendl Chairman

MP

Dr. Reinhard Bösch Executive Chairman

MP

Mag. Michael Hammer Chairman

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I. Presidium of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces 2018

Term of office from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020

Chairman MP Mag. Michael Hammer

Executive Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces from 01 January 2017 to 31 December 2018

Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces from 21 January 2015 to 31 December 2016 and since 1 January 2019

Chairman MP Dr. Reinhard Bösch

Executive Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces since 1 January 2019

Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces from 21 January 2015 to 31 December 2018

Chairman former MP Otto Pendl

Executive Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces from 21 January 2015 to 31 December 2016

Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces since 1 January 2017

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II. The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces 2018

Presidium:

MP Mag. Michael Hammer, Executive Chairman ... People's Party MP Dr. Reinhard Bösch, Chairman ... Freedom Party

Former MP Otto Pendl, Chairman, ... Social Democratic Party Members:

Former MP Mag. Gisela Wurm ... Social Democratic Party Christian Schiesser, ... Social Democratic Party Former MP Mag. Bernd Schönegger ... People's Party

Former MP Oswald Klikovits ... People's Party Delegate to the provincial parliament Manfred Haidinger

(since 23 Jan 2018) ... Freedom Party Member of the district representation Nikolaus Kunrath ... Greens

Sonja Stiller, MA MA, ... formerly Team Stronach Former Federal Minister Dr. Friedhelm Frischenschlager .... NEOS

Substitute members:

MP Rudolf Plessl (since 14 September 2018) ... Social Democratic Party Delegate to the provincial parliament Hannes Weninger,... Social Democratic Party Delegate to the provincial parliament Mag. Marcus Schober Social Democratic Party MP Norbert Sieber ... People's Party

Dr. Franz Pietsch ... People's Party Former MP Asdin El Habbassi, BA ... People's Party Delegate to the provincial parliament Manfred Haidinger

(until 22 Jan 2018) ... Freedom Party MP Dipl.-Ing. Christian Schandor (since 23 Jan 2018) ... Freedom Party MP Gerhard Kaniak (since 23 Jan 2018) ... Freedom Party Former MP Tanja Windbüchler-Souschill, MSc ... Greens

Former MP Christoph Hagen ... formerly Team Stronach Mag. Erwin Gartler... NEOS

Advisors:

General Mag. Robert Brieger, CHODS (since 23 July 2018) General Mag. Othmar Commenda, CHODS (until 30 June 2018) Director General Mag. Christian Kemperle, MoD/Directorate General I

Brigadier General Dr. Dr. Sylvia Sperandio, MBA, MoD/ Division Head Military Healthcare

Office of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces:

Mag. Karl Schneemann, Head of the Office Mr Siegfried Zörnpfenning

Mag. Manfred Gasser (until 30 April 2018) Mag. Petra Neuhauser

Ms Sabine Gsaxner Mr Ernst Kiesel Ms Larissa Pollak

Master Sergeant Jasmin Puchwein (temporary duty)

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III. Tasks

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces was founded in 1955, together with the Austrian Armed Forces, as a democratically legitimised monitoring body of the National Council. The Commission is legally based on sections 4 and 21, para 3, 2001 Defence Act, and sections 20a, 29 para 2 (k) and 87, para 4, National Council Rules of Procedure Act.

For further information on the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces see the Parliament's homepage:

www.parlament.gv.at/WWER/PBK/

III. 1. Terms of office

Under section 4, 2001 Defence Act, a term of office of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces is six years. The current term of office started on 1 January 2015 and the following political parties are represented with members: Social Democratic Party (3), People's Party (3), Freedom Party (2), Greens (1), TEAM STRONACH (1), NEOS (1).

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces is made up of three (alternating) executive chairpersons, as well as eight further members. The chairpersons are elected by the National Council, the other members are nominated by the political parties, in proportion to their number of seats on the Main Committee of the National Council. Every political party represented on the Main Committee of the National Council at the time when the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces holds its constitutive sitting has the right to be represented on this Commission.

In the 59^th Session of the National Council/ 25^th legislative period on 21 January 2015, MP Otto Pendl (Social Democratic Party), MP Mag. Michael Hammer (People's Party) and MP Dr. Reinhard Bösch (Freedom Party) were elected chairpersons of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces for the term of office until 31 December 2020. In the year under review, MP Mag. Michael Hammer held the function of Executive Chairman. At the start of January 2019, MP Dr. Reinhard Bösch took over as Executive Chairman for the remainder of the 2020 term of office.

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Advice to the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces is also rendered at its sittings by most senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Defence so that there is a permanent exchange of opinions with those bearing responsibility in the Ministry.

On the international level, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces may be compared to the Defence Representative of the German Bundestag and other parliamentary ombuds institutions for armed forces, e.g. in Ireland, Norway or Bosnia and Herzegovina, as far as their tasks are concerned.

III. 2. Who can file a complaint?

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces accepts complaints that are filed either directly or indirectly

 by persons who have volunteered for induction or voluntary national service,

 by persons liable to induction,

 by soldiers of either sex,

 by soldiers' representatives,

 by conscripts in the ready reserve or reserve,

 by persons having undergone voluntary national service,

and – unless the Commission finds the alleged reason for the complaint negligible – to examine it and decide upon recommendations pertaining to its settlement.

The persons listed above can lodge complaints concerning shortcomings or deficiencies within the military, especially regarding personal injustices or encroachments upon professional competencies.

The right to lodge a complaint expires one year after the issue giving rise to the complaint has become known to the complainant, in any case two years after the issue giving rise to the complaint has become void.

In addition, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces is entitled to investigate ex officio shortcomings or grievances within the military, suspected by the Commission.

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A complaint to the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces is completely independent of official channels and ensures that an independent third party, i.e. the Commission, charges a grievance.

III. 3. How to contact the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces

in person:

1090 Vienna

Roßauer Lände 1 or Türkenstraße 22a by telephone:

 +43 50201 10 21050

 +43 1/3198089,

 1230100 (IFMIN) in writing:

 1090 Vienna, Roßauer Lände 1

 Fax: +43 50201 10 17142

 [email protected]

III. 4. Annual report

The annual report of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces is published once a year, as per section 11 para 4, Rules of Procedure, and in conjunction with section 4, para 5, 2001 Defence Act, and is to be forwarded immediately by the Federal Minister of Defence, together with a statement, to the National Council. The Chairpersons of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces shall have the right to take part in the hearings concerning these reports in the committees of the National Council, and to be heard whenever they so request.

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IV. Activity

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces dealt with the enquiries brought forward during the year under review, investigated complaints, arranged for ex officio investigations, carried out (unannounced) on-site inspections, put an end to shortcomings and deficiencies within the military in close cooperation with the Federal Minister of Defence and the advisors, and presented suggestions for improvements in routine duty and in carrying out training.

The Presidium of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces prepared the Commission's plenary meetings to facilitate decisions concerning complaints and ex officio investigations, and to give recommendations to the Federal Minister of Defence.

Information events of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces within the sphere of the Federal Ministry of Defence, but also in the international field, as well as work meetings with representatives of the political scene, the church, religious denominations and the economy fulfilled the purpose by strengthening the understanding of independent, objective and comprehensive control of the military.

In co-operation with the Federal Minister of Defence and the advisors, problems connected with complaints lodged were often already resolved in the course of the investigation in a manner that was satisfactory to the complainant. The intervention by the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces often quickly remedied aired grievances and thus in many cases contributed to an improvement of the work climate.

Concerning justified complaints, the Minister of Defence took the supervisory measures deemed necessary (ranging from instructions, rebukes and disciplinary measures to bringing forward charges).

IV. 1. Fundamental data

In 2018 the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces initiated 267 complaints proceedings.

The causes of the complaints were directed principally at matters pertaining to training and routine duty, personnel matters and inadequate infrastructure as well as deficiencies in the equipment.

IV. 2. Ex officio investigations

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces decided to conduct 16 ex officio investigations, in which shortcomings and grievances pertaining to the military sphere were investigated.

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IV. 3. Actions persuant to section 21, para 3, 2001 Defence Act

In the year under review there was no request for issuing a statement regarding an appeal against an administrative selection decision concerning the obligation to serve reserve recalls.

V. Examples of complaints/ ex-officio investigations

V. 1. Inappropriate language

In the law enforcement assistance operation/Migration, a platoon commander and his deputy talked at the platoon command post about their soldiers using expressions such as: ‘Fucking reserves’, ‘They’re all wankers’, ‘What bastards’, and ‘Stop that you morons, people are sleeping there’ (reference No. 10/140-2018).

An NCO made remarks towards a female soldier in the course of training such as:

‘...nice arse’, ‘...not bad in bed either’, and made a gesture with his tongue in his mouth (Reference No. 10/174-2018).

V. 2. Unnecessary harassment

A squad leader woke a duty corporal by emptying half a bucket of water over him, with the intention of reminding him of the time of the reveille (reference No. 10/051-2018).

One national serviceman teased another who was serving on guard duty, calling him names like ‘terrorist’ and sending photos of women wearing head scarves over WhatsApp (reference No. 10/143-2018).

V. 3. Defects of accommodations and constructional shortcomings

National servicemen were accommodated in a barracks in a worn out and inadequate building with draughty windows, leaky roofs and mould. The sanitary facilities did not meet modern standards of hygiene and functionality: there were 22 showers for 230 service members, low water pressure, occasional lack of warm water, defective or leaky washbasins, and nasty odours coming from the toilets (reference No. 10/001- 2018).

In the company area of a barracks, the repair of a urinal facility prone to defects due to old age was carried out late and unsatisfactorily, causing pungent odours over a period of several months (reference No. 10/083-2018).

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Despite blatant lack of space in the accommodation and office areas of an air base, necessary planned constructional works were postponed again (reference No. 10/123- 2018).

V. 4. Organisational shortcomings

Eight female NCOs did not receive a complete class A uniform set in the course of several years (reference No. 10/041-2018).

A national serviceman only received reimbursement of his travel expenses after filing a complaint (reference No. 10/147-2018).

A military driving instructor was unable to provide satisfactory driving instruction because of a lack of class C vehicles (reference No. 10/132-2018).

V. 5. Military-medical support and restrictions

A recruit, although he received medical treatment by a surgeon, was not exempted from duty service or guard duty, as prescribed by the surgeon on several occasions, because of recurrent back and leg pain. He was assigned to another function only after filing a complaint (reference No. 10/003-2018).

V. 6. Incomprehensible measures

Six officers in the ready reserve had their career training course/engineer training cancelled four days before its commencement, with the unsatisfactory explanatory statement that there was a lack of military demand (reference No. 10/008-2018).

27 key personnel candidates were unable to complete the Key Personnel Training Course 2 in time because there were not enough instructors. What was initially feared to have a negative effect on their careers was resolved by offering an additional course at a later stage (reference No. 10/029-2018).

A national serviceman was denied the opportunity to submit a request for transfer to his company commander, and in subsequent cases his requests were not properly processed (reference No. 10/090-2018).

In the course of the training target achievement test of the Key Personnel Training Course 1, in which a ranking of the candidates is established, the key personnel candidates were confronted with questions that were not included in the course syllabus. The exam questions giving rise to the complaints were discounted for the purpose of establishing the ranking of the Key Personnel Training Course1 (reference No. 10/095-2018).

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An NCO received a personal court summons sent to him care of his unit’s office, the original of which had been opened and also scanned and sent to him electronically (reference No. 10/127-2018).

During an international deployment, an NCO’s pay was not increased accordingly by three units, as he was entitled to, after assuming other tasks and functions. This has been resolved in the meantime (reference No. 10/138-2018).

Comprehensive and above-average performance during a recall was not taken into account sufficiently when a master corporal in the ready reserve was due for promotion to sergeant (reference No. 10/152-2018).

V. 7. Disregarding regulations/laws

In one battalion, the soldiers’ representative was not elected (reference No. 10/021- 2018)

An officer did not follow the safety regulations when firing blank ammunition with the Steyr AUG assault rifle (reference No. 10/050-2018).

Superiors failed to process a respective complaint properly (reference No. 10/079- 2018).

V. 8. Evaluation of regulations

On 1 September 2018 an engineer working boat capsized on the Danube at a Girls’

Camp near Hainburg. Several women suffered minor injuries, while two participants could only be rescued with severe injury.

The final report of the investigative commission of the Austrian Armed Forces from 28 November 2018 concluded that:

 The boat was in good technical condition. There was no indication of technical failure.

 Up until the time of the accident, the boat’s operation had been unremarkable.

According to experts, however, the capsizing of the boat could have been prevented if the speed had been reduced; the boatman possibly assessed the situation differently. The judicial system will clarify whether the boatman acted negligently.

 All soldiers were engaged in rescue operations immediately after the accident. The quick intervention of the volunteer fire brigade, who coincidentally were exercising

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in the area, gave the impression that the chain of rescue had already been set in motion.

 It was clear to the responsible commander immediately after the capsizing that there were women missing. Soldiers risked their own lives in doing everything possible to save the women. Searches were carried out in the Danube under the boat and on the river banks for the missing persons. The searches were only discontinued when both women were found under the boat. The allegation that the search was halted prematurely was not true or not proven.

 At the time that the boat lay on the river bank, the current and strong waves made it too dangerous to dive under the boat. Only when the boat was lifted with the cable winches of a boat pertaining to the Hainburg shipping authority was it possible to search the space under the boat properly.

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces emphasises that:

 all safety requirements at personnel recruitment events for service in the Austrian Armed Forces be complied with. In this respect it is noted that such recruitment events should provide insights into, and impressions of, service in the Austrian Armed Forces, but should not include inapplicable or unreal training elements;

 civilian participants of the Austrian Armed Forces’ (recruitment) events, e.g. the Girls’ Camp, should not be exposed to risky or hazardous situations requiring prior military training;

 transparent regulations concerning training procedures and the assignment of responsibility be created in the area of personnel recruitment.

VI. Inspection visits of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces

V. 1. Inspection of the Armed Forces Personnel Agency

On 25 April 2018, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces inspected the aptitude test procedure for voluntary national service at the Armed Forces Personnel Agency’s test centre in Wels.

After presentations on the aptitude test procedure, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces asked the personnel representatives to

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share their concerns relevant to the examination centre, inspected the examination and took the opportunity to talk to candidates on site.

The following topics were discussed in the course of the visit:

Recruitment

The Director of the Armed Forces Personnel Agency stressed that although personnel recruitment is a task of all echelons, it is entrusted in particular to Division D of the Armed Forces Personnel Agency.

The core target group for a military career are the 14 to 29-year-olds. The environment, parents, relatives and friends are also relevant. In addition to information events (careers fairs, Girls’ Days, Girls’ Camps, National Days, Job Days, etc.) and induction procedures, people are now increasingly being recruited for the Austrian Armed Forces through social media. There are clear pros like the fixed salary and thorough training, including sports and outdoor activities; to put it short, it is a ‘cool job’.

The recruitment measures taken by the Armed Forces Personnel Agency and the troops have resulted in an increase in candidate numbers over recent years: from 2,400 in 2015, through 3,900 in 2016, to 5,143 in 2017.

An Armed Forces app is planned for the end of 2018, which should make the exchange of information easier for persons liable to induction, national servicemen and interested parties. It may be used to help fill in the information gaps concerning service in the Austrian Armed Forces among the ‘under 18s’.

Aptitude test for voluntary national service

Those passing the aptitude test for voluntary national service are qualified to undergo key personnel training. Failure to pass the aptitude test is not necessarily the end of the road. It is possible to redo the test and make use of existing preparation aids (preparation days at weekends, training tips, the Fit for the Forces training programme).

The physical limits of the fitness test have been reduced for both men and women, so as to make access to careers in the Armed Forces possible for more people. The aim is to include as many applicants as possible. Approximately 5 percent, for example, cannot swim. Applicants who fail the aptitude test can enrol on the Fit for the Forces training programme, and soldiers can receive additional training from the troops.

Specifically, 2,540 out of 4,400 people (57.7 percent) passed the first time in 2017.

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The aim of the psychological aptitude test for key personnel is to verify whether the candidates are basically suited for employment as other ranks or NCO’s/officers. At least 10% of the requirements must be met to pass the test. The test simulates three different situations: neutral, high pressure and after the pressure. In this way, a prediction regarding success in the training is made. In 2017, 2,942 participants were tested (2,689 men and 253 women), of whom 60 percent overall achieved the desired skill level (59 percent of the women, 64 percent of the men).

Drop-out rate

There is a high drop-out rate among female soldiers with the troops.

The number of women has increased; keeping them ‘in the system’ is the declared goal. Some groups within the Forces have not yet realised the significance of female soldiers for the overall structure. This is also a question of supervision. In addition, there is not yet a large enough number (‘critical mass’) of female soldiers so that they are perceived as standard in the troops.

The pilot project Fit for the Forces is an important tool to prepare prospective female soldiers both physically and mentally for the challenges of a career as a soldier.

In order to be able to react better to the reasons why female soldiers leave service prematurely, additional opportunities for feedback and online surveys, etc. are to be introduced.

A binding Table of Organisation and Equipment is necessary for career planning. A key target group for personnel recruitment are men who are liable to conscription.

Workload of key personnel

The chairpersons of the personnel representation at the Personnel Agency accuse the high workload caused by the rapidly increasing number of applicants. As not all key personnel candidates who passed the test can be subjected to training immediately, it is also necessary to reduce the number of candidates, as required. In this respect, it is necessary to highlight that, due the high numbers of candidates involved, a ranking of the key personnel candidates be established for Key Personnel Training Course 1.

Infrastructure – locations Hessen Barracks Wels:

The Test Centre North of the Armed Forces Personnel Agency in Wels does not form a unit of its own in the Hessen Barracks. There is no sports hall, the 400 m running track

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falls significantly short of modern standards, and sports tests are taken in former office facilities.

Office Building Garnisonstraße Linz:

The induction procedure of the young males from Upper Austria liable to induction is conducted in the Office Building Garnisonstraße in Linz. A transfer of the induction centre to Hörsching, which was previously considered, is not feasible because of suboptimal transport links and a lack of physical infrastructure at the air base.

Merging the Test Centre North of the Armed Forces Personnel Agency with the induction centre of the Upper Austria Provincial Military Command at the Office Building Garnisonstraße in Linz is a suitable solution, as the transportation and infrastructure are much more convenient.

VI. 2. Inspection of AUTCON 38/KFOR

KFOR was established in 1999 after the end of the Kosovo War, initially with over 50,000 soldiers. Over the years, the strength has been reduced to around 4,000 servicepersons. This number of troops is be maintained for the time being. Germany ended its contribution to KFOR in 2018 because of an increased demand for forces in other peacekeeping operations. In the coming years, the military capabilities of KFOR will be reduced in favour of other aspects. Thus, priority will be given to the Liaison and Monitoring Teams (LMT): 1 LMT base in Orahovac and another one plus a CIMIC element in Suva Reka. Their task will be to improve force protection by showing presence in villages and towns and to consolidate situational awareness.

General

From 23 - 24 May 2018, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces paid an inspection visit to AUTCON 38/KFOR, pursuant to section 4, 2001 Defence Act.

The Austrian soldiers are well trained and respected by the population. The situation on the ground is calm.

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During discussions with soldiers, the following issues and problems were addressed:

Personnel

The contingent is short of personnel: 25 percent of the officer positions and 19 percent of other ranks are vacant. There is a 5-percent shortage of NCOs. Two thirds of the personnel consist of career soldiers. Female soldiers amount to 1.6 percent.

This shortfall shortage is caused by the financial attractiveness of the domestic law- enforcement assistance operation and because the personnel is not limited personally to such an extent in terms of movement and accommodation. A financial incentive of the service is deemed necessary.

In general, all ranks remarked that their superiors acted correctly and treated them in a respectful manner. They trust their commanders.

Accommodation

According to the function, from one to three soldiers are quartered in a single or double container. The accommodation containers and sanitation facilities in Camp Villaggio Italia are run down. In this way, for example, damaged windows in Building 18 were reported, exactly as generally worn-out (‘squeaky’), and therefore noisy, beds.

Complaining about defects (missing toilet brushes, showerheads) resulted in slow and unsatisfactory resupply or repairs by the international camp administration.

The accommodation standards in Camp Film City in Pristina and Camp Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny in Novo Selo are generally satisfactory.

The accommodation situation in Camp Novo Selo is strained (no capacity reserves, two people per room). An improvement of the accommodation situation to establish a private sphere would be desirable.

Catering

The food at the Camps Film-City and Novo Selo was commented on very favourably.

The catering in Camp Villaggio Italia, however, was severely criticised, especially the choice of food (fish, pasta, spaghetti) and the preparation (bland, lukewarm to cold).

Signing out from catering is possible only four times a month. There is no grocery store in the camp. Buying food outside the camp is not an option either, because of the restrictions applying to leaving the camp. Consequently, the service personnel make use of the food (pizza, burgers) offered in the restaurants of the camp.

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Food is not provided for patrols outside normal service hours.

Clothing and equipment

Items of service clothing and personal clothing go missing when handed in for laundering in Camp Villaggio Italia. The cost for 2.5 kg of laundry is EUR 5.40.

Changing the service underwear is not possible for personnel of the stand-by forces.

There is a shortage of well-fitting, high-quality items of clothing (boots, gloves, sleeping bags, backpacks, combat vests, Carinthia jackets) and equipment (holsters, belts for holding pepper sprays). It is unacceptable that the service personnel is forced to buy the necessary clothing and equipment items on their own account in order to be halfway equipped for service.

Orders by the contingent to issue two sets of HWC uniforms (hot weather clothes) and simultaneously being forbidden to wear them for the time being are incomprehensible.

The new helmet does not support the protective visor deployed in CRC so far, which means that the old helmet has to be used in such types of operations.

There are not enough small- and medium-sized bulletproof vests available, so that large and extra-large vests have to be issued.

Even although pepper sprays have been issued, a safe and handy way to secure them to the belt is not given.

The officially issued belt holster makes it impossible to draw your weapon fast, since the flak vest reaches over the belt. Therefore, soldiers acquire a suitable holster on their own. As there is no magazine pouch, the magazines of the pistol need to be stowed away in the trouser pockets.

Vehicles/equipment

The AAF vehicles are outdated. Repairs are lengthy, expensive and frequent.

The night-vision devices are worn out and by far fall short of modern standards.

There is no air conditioning in the workshop area, nor is there heating for winter.

Provision of replacement items takes too long. It should also be pointed out that if the Austrian Contingent at Camp Novo Selo is augmented, better recovery and stacking equipment will be required urgently for setting up containers.

Medical care

The Italian doctor at Camp Villaggio Italia does not speak English at all, which makes

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Specialist medical care, such as a dentist’s, is outsourced and provided in the civilian hospital. The patients need to bear the costs themselves for the time being.

The high degree of air pollution in the area of operations in Pristina implies that an x- ray of the lungs should be taken at the end of the operation, and the soldiers should be subsequently assigned to a climatic health resort for recovery as required.

Operations preparation

Criticism is voiced that during the national preparation for the international operation, the various specialist functions are not given enough attention. There was also occasional criticism that current affairs in the area of operations are not dealt with sufficiently.

Payment

The difference in pay between international operations (around EUR 400 less) and the domestic law enforcement assistance operation is perceived to be unfair in view of the current framework conditions/limitations. The lack of officers, amounting to 25 percent, makes it necessary that others have to take on additional tasks, which, however, is not remunerated accordingly.

Telecommunications

The social telephone allotment of 60 minutes per person each month is considered sufficient. This offer is not used in full by soldiers, because communication with relatives is primary conducted via the internet.

The possibilities for, and costs of, using the internet in Camp Film City and Camp Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny are satisfactory. In Camp Villaggio Italia, however, there was criticism of the unreliable internet connection, lack of IT security, overpriced tariffs and blocked websites.

Social support

Neither pastors nor armed forces psychologists are to be found on site.

It was also established that there is a fundamental lack of information concerning questions regarding holidays, free time and education opportunities, and the reasons why particular clothing items (HWC, athletic training kit) must not be worn, and – as far as the soldiers in Camp Villaggio Italia are concerned – that there is a lack of support regarding tensions with Italian colleagues.

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Personnel assignment plan

Soldiers earmarked for international operations call for planning options and an overall concept. A personnel assignment plan for international operations with a timeline only up to the next contingent does not allow for long-term planning and arrangements.

Further training during operations

It is deemed detrimental that attending training courses or seminars in Austria is not permitted during an international operation.

Bunker testing

The regulation that key personnel have to take the bunker test every five years, while reserve personnel only have to do so every three years, is questioned.

VI. 3. Inspection of the Theresan Military Academy

On 30 May 2018, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces paid an inspection visit to the Theresan Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt.

The Commission was briefed on officer training, including further training and retraining, at the Institutes 1 and 2 of the Academy.

The Development Division is the research and development element of the Theresan Military Academy, particularly for the areas of simulation, distance learning, knowledge management and project management.

The Military High School Battalion closed the Military High School in June 2018.

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces visited training and accommodation buildings and used the opportunity to speak with soldiers.

The following topics were discussed in the course of the inspection visit:

Officer training

The six-semester Bachelor course in ‘Military Command’ does not only offer scientifically founded and practice-oriented training, it imparts also the training in military command required for the first assignment as a line officer.

The training modules are linked with military academies in other countries to facilitate the exchange of experience. Each Theresan Military Academy cadet undertakes a semester abroad. In the course of the visit, the cadets reported predominantly positive

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which was criticised for the duty roster being too rigid. An overall evaluation is made at the end of each semester abroad.

The officer training and further training at the Theresan Military Academy has a high standard and is recognised internationally.

Further training for officers

Further officer training is imparted at Institute 2. In so doing, courses and seminars in the fields of military leadership training, personal development and management are offered.

Infrastructure Services building:

A central services building is urgently required so as to provide modern and needs- oriented food provision for participants of courses and seminars. The current situation with several mess hall locations requires a higher number of personnel and resources.

Merging the various mess halls into one new service building would allow for better and more service-oriented provision (longer opening hours, wider choice of meals and drinks).

In general, centralised campus management would be advisable.

Accommodation:

The accommodation capacities for cadets are stretched. The rooms are not fitted adequately (showers outside the accommodations, scarce equipment and insufficient number of study spaces). In addition, for the coming years the number of cadets is to be increased from 120 to 300 because of the increased requirement for officers in the Austrian Armed Forces. Therefore, and also because international cooperation will result in an increase in guest students, improved standards and additional accommodations are necessary.

Military vehicles

The military vehicles are outdated and there are not enough of them available. Repairs are lengthy and expensive and occur frequently.

Thirty vehicles are needed for training purposes. The assigned L-200 military vehicles are not an adequate replacement for training (they are neither off-road vehicles nor do they offer sufficient transport capacity for a squad).

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Workload

The employees of the Military Academy state that they are overloaded because they constantly receive additional tasks and the number of course participants increases.

According to personnel representatives the workload capacity has been reached. The situation will become even more critical due to the imminent wave of retirements.

Information technology

International cooperation and an exchange of experience in IT matters is imperative.

The current combination of encrypted computers in the secure 3.VE network and the normal computer network system does not allow for fast and secure IT communication.

VI. 4. Inspection of the Law Enforcement Assistance Operation/Migration

On 16 July 2018, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces inspected the Law Enforcement Assistance Operation/Migration in Bruckneudorf, Burgenland Province.

On this occasion, the Commission also checked the quarters of the 1^st Assistance Company in the vicinity of the Benedek Barracks. The soldiers of the HQ 1ASSCOY and one ASSPLT are currently being accommodated in containers of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. These containers of the MoI had been previously used as refugee accommodations and were empty at that time.

Personnel

These units are deployed for three months, whereas soldiers in the ready reserve may request to be extended for up to six months in the assistance operation.

National servicemen are deployed for around three months within the framework of the operation.

Service/free time

The assistance platoon is structured into four groups working an eight-day duty roster, whereby six days of duty (sentry/patrol and stand-by) are followed by two days off. On the two off days, the soldiers may leave the area of operations. Soldiers from western Austria get three days off, with a special duty roster applying to them.

Operational tasks

Each sector is monitored from observation points and through patrols, as well as with

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the police are informed and transport will be provided as required. Numbers have been falling sharply since 2016 and, since the end of March 2018, the Burgenland Provincial Military Command has registered up to ten people per week at the most.

Accommodation

Soldiers complained anonymously to the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces about the container accommodations being too hot and lacking mosquito nets.

Since then, mosquito nets have been fitted and camouflage nets fixed by the troops to shade the windows.

Moreover, two powerful air conditioners were installed, providing satisfactory cooling of the corridor and rooms.

The accommodation standard in the container accommodations in Bruckneudorf is satisfactory.

Meals

The meals are prepared in a military kitchen, with the kitchen personnel giving the final touches to precooked and frozen dishes.

VI. 5. Inspection of the Joint Command Support Command and Cyber Defence On 3 October 2018, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces visited the Joint Command Support Command and Cyber Defence. In talks with the soldiers and civilian employees, the following issues and problems were addressed:

Organisation and tasks

The Joint Command Support Command and Cyber Defence was set up in 2017 as the successor element of the Command Support Centre and the attachment of the then 1^st and 2^nd Command Support Battalions. A new organisational structure came into force on 1 April 2019. Parts of this organisation were integrated into the Joint Forces Command, while other parts were subordinated to the Joint Support Command.

In order to get an overall picture of the cyber threats, the ICT and the electronic warfare pictures have been merged with that of the military intelligence services. This situation does not only serve the Federal Ministry of Defence, but as a matter of course also the Republic of Austria. There has been international cooperation with Germany,

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Switzerland and Israel, whereby cyber security and cybercrime have been amalgamated in almost all states. In Austria, cyber defence is allocated with the Federal Ministry of Defence, whereas cybercrime is a task of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

In accordance with the government programme, cyber threats are dealt with as an overall national responsibility.

Personnel

The Table of Organisation and Equipment of the Joint Command Support Command and Cyber Defence or of the Centre for Information and Communication Technology and Cyber Security, respectively, has not yet been implemented. Negotiations in this regard are still being conducted with the Ministry of Civil Service and Sports.

The augmentation of leaders in the fields of human resources, budgeting and operational planning is currently done predominantly by way of temporary transfers. A good portion of the employees of the Joint Command Support Command and Cyber Defence are civilians. Qualified personnel can be attracted or retained with special contracts.

The imminent reorganisation, along with the expected pay-related downgrading of positions through subordination in the organisational structure, is raising concern that it will become considerably more difficult to recruit IT personnel. In this respect it is noted that there is not enough IT personnel available for both the private sector and the public sector.

Institute of Military Geography

The Institute of Military Geography is the central point of contact with regard to all matters pertaining to requirements for geographical data and information; it is located on the operational activities of the Joint Command Support Command and Cyber Defence.

The range of products and technical opportunities in the field of maps, aerial photography and special maps, as well as the different geo-data for guidance and simulator systems and the international country information were presented.

The Institute of Military Geography plays a prominent role in the introduction and the use of data from the global satellite positioning system Galileo for the purposes of the Austrian Armed Forces.

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Centre for ICT and Cyber Security

The Centre for ICT and Cyber Security is responsible for the protection of military ICT infrastructure, the elaboration of the military cyber situation, the preparation and deployment of the cyber defence systems in the fields of ICT and electronic warfare, and the perception of the functions of the Military Computer Emergency Readiness Team. This organisational element has become active on 1 April 2019; it is subordinated to the Joint Support Command.

The effect of digital interference with an air defence cannon was shown impressively in a demonstration.

VI. 6. Inspection of the Air Force Command

On 6 November 2018, the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces inspected the Air Force Command at Schwarzenberg Barracks in Salzburg, and on 7 November 2018 the Berg Air Operations Centre, an element of the Airspace Surveillance Command.

The reorganisation of the Armed Force of 1 April 2019 has raised concern among Air Force commanders that administrative processes be slowed down.

Currently, the tasks are fulfilled with three units, the Airspace Surveillance Command (active and passive), the Air Support Command and the Aviation and Air Defence School. Operations are conducted via a mobile Air Operations Centre. The command system is connected with the Goldhaube system.

The Saab 105 aircraft have arrived already at the end of their life cycle, and the Alouette 3 helicopters are expected to do so in the next few years. Successor systems have not yet been chosen. After all, around 40 percent of active airspace surveillance is still carried out with Saab 105 jets.

The rising costs to keep the Eurofighter flying are a particular problem. This concerns the slow provision of replacement parts and a shortage of equipment for airspace surveillance.

Passive airspace surveillance is based on three radar stations, one mobile radar system and eight low-level detection radars. The Air Defence Battalion can only protect one larger area or facility.

Flight safety:

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Since the beginning of the 1990s, flight safety has increased through heightened safety standards due to independent maintenance of the aircraft and the certification of airworthiness. Prior to that, approximately 20 percent of the aircraft were lost and every sixth pilot had a fatal accident. The currently stagnating number of flying hours is detrimental to flight safety. The degree of technical autonomy in material administration of the Goldhaube system and the independent software development were emphasised as strengths. A current challenge is the improvement of drone defence capabilities.

Personnel:

There is a marked shortage of pilots, particularly for the Alouette and the Saab 105.

Many pilots leave the Armed Forces for more attractive civilian jobs. There are also personnel shortages in the fields of air traffic control and radar systems. The personnel situation there will become even more acute within the next five to six years, when approximately one third of the personnel will retire to old-age pension.

For the last two years, the lack of, or rather the not yet implemented Table of Organisation and Development has been impacting the working and living conditions of the key personnel. Many employees resettled in new locations several years ago, accepted temporal duty and their extension, and expected that they would be put on promised positions. There is doubt regarding the fair distribution and the number of well-paid jobs in the Joint Forces Command. The lack of workplace allocation creates insecurity concerning service regulations, moreover, the lack of transparency in communications from superior commands is criticised.

VI. 7. Inspection of the Berg Air Operations Centre

The Berg Air Operations Centre is facing serious problems in obtaining new personnel.

The reason for this is that there are neither suitable training slots for the respective expert functions nor sufficiently attractive extra payments. The low starting salaries hardly motivate anyone to be transferred to the Air Operations Centre. What is more, contrary to the past, the shift and rotation schedules do not qualify as heavy work any longer.

According to personnel representatives, this is not taken into consideration sufficiently, and nothing is being done to remedy it. Because extra payments are not awarded any longer, radar controllers and radar technicians working in the air surveillance and the air control sectors move to respective civilian jobs.

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There is a lack of personnel in the security sector. Back-up personnel from a pool are only available in isolated cases. Here, support from the superior command in terms of making service more attractive and advertising for new, young colleagues is also felt to be inadequate. In addition, criticism was voiced that the current Table of Organisation and Equipment has not been evaluated.

VII. Particularities

VII. 1. Submission and presentation of the Annual Report 2017

On 21 March 2018, the 2017 Annual Report of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces was handed over to the President of the National Council, Mag. Wolfgang Sobotka, and subsequently to the Federal Minister of Defence, Mario Kunasek.

At the press conference on 4 April 2018 at the presentation of the 2017 Annual Report in Parliament, the Executive Chairman of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces, MP Mag. Michael Hammer, observed that, despite tangible progress, there was still room for improvement concerning making national service more attractive, strengthening the reserves and enhancing the position of career soldiers in terms of service and salary.

VII. 2. Conference of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces

On 4 April 2018 a meeting of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces was held at the National Defence Academy. At the meeting, the Commission thanked the then Secretary of State of the Federal Ministry of Finance, MMag. DDr. Hubert Fuchs, for his long and constructive contribution as a substitute member of the Commission.

In addition, there were lectures and subsequent discussions on the topics of the Armed Forces’ personnel situation, armament and procurement, and aspects of defence and security policy.

VII. 2.1. The Personnel Situation in the Austrian Armed Forces

The Director General of Directorate General I presented the personnel numbers dating from April 2018 and highlighted the successful recruitment policy initiated a few years ago. Even so, it will be difficult to replace the projected 700 to 800 retirements due to old age each year and at the same time to halt the growing trend. If you factor in the

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departure of service personnel due to all other reasons as well, up to 1,800 servicepersons per annum will leave the system over the coming years.

The graduation of 370 career NCOs in February 2018 is positive and, among other factors, owed to the reworked NCO training scheme and the adapted salaries of staff NCOs. In order to promote personnel augmentation, 650 new service members need to be incorporated. This can only work out if every single resource available in the training sector is used.

The current planning can be implemented with the current personnel budget (EUR 1.46bn for 2018 and EUR 1.48bn for 2019).

Servicewomen:

There are currently 600 female soldiers. The Women’s Information Drive and various advertising measures and events designed to increase attractiveness, such as Girls’

Camps and Girls’ Days, connect very well with the target population. Yet, it is still difficult for servicewomen to be accepted in some companies. A critical mass of around 1,500 female soldiers is necessary for women to be perceived as the norm in operational units.

Surgeons:

Unfortunately, there is a clear shortage of doctors in the AAF. The current employment of 93 military doctors falls short of the target of 165. To bridge this gap, the framework conditions relating to service and remuneration regulations need to be amended.

Advertising measures aimed at students of medicine are starting to gain momentum, and contact with them is to be maintained even after graduation, so as to remain an option as a potential employer.

Recruitment of key personnel:

The significance of national service personnel as a potential source for recruitment for the troops has to be underlined. Even although the number of young men liable to induction has been falling to some 45,000 in 2018, the number of national servicemen has risen to 17,000. The reasons for this are mostly to be found in increased advertising. A review of the aptitude criteria for national service, which have remained unchanged for a long time, is called for. A change to these criteria is necessary to add additional skills to the Austrian Armed Forces.

With regard to the recruitment of key personnel, it has to be noted that the Austrian

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because the Ministry of the Interior offers well-organised training and a modern job profile for police officers.

VII. 2.2. Armament and procurement in the AAF

The Director of the Armament and Procurement Directorate elaborated on the standardised procurement procedures applying to armament products.

Internal regulations and the Federal Procurement Act set up a strict sequence of steps when it comes to procurement. A transparent procurement process that conforms to regulations is guaranteed through the double-verification principle at all stages and further double checking by internal revision. There is a simplified procedure for cases of procurement that do not exceed the threshold of EUR 100,000.

The time requirement for procurement is similar to the purchase of complex industrial plants. One particular issue with armaments is the requirement for independent maintenance to the furthest extent possible.

A particular challenge is that the operation of military systems is becoming increasingly expensive due to the technological developments.

An annual investment of at least EUR 200 million is necessary to ensure that there are replacements for assets available and that the assets are ready for operation at all times. There is agreement regarding the importance of up-to-date and flexible Armed Forces that are operational at all times, and the fact that adequate financing is called for.

VII. 2.3. Aspects of the defence and the security policies

The Secretary General of the Federal Ministry of Defence announced the successful cooperation between the Ministry and the Commission to be continued. He considered a parliamentary supervising body operating across-party level essential.

The Secretary General remarked that the current organisational structure of the Ministry of Defence is overdimensioned. Therefore, the reorganisation of the Austrian Armed Forces, which has been initiated, but not implemented, will be re-evaluated to enable a leaner structure.

It has to be pointed out that the attractive jobs at the numerous headquarters are quite alluring, so that the personnel at the troop level has been thinning out.

The Secretary General was sympathetic with regard to the unsatisfactory pay scheme and possible disadvantages for promotion of line officers.

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VII. 3. Ready reserve

The ready reserve was given a new identity as a result of their reorientation. The assignment of the main task, i.e. protecting critical infrastructure, brings about a new self-confidence in the ready reserve, but at the same time there is the expectation that the corresponding personnel, material and organisational requirements will be made available.

The reserves provide an indispensable contribution to domestic and international operations. The average proportion of soldiers of the ready reserve is 25 percent for domestic operations and 45 percent for international ones.

The creation of the ready reserve quality seal and the ready reserve award is an important step in driving forward the cross-linking of the ready reserve with business.

The promotion of understanding for security issues on the part of employers, and in particular for employees who play a role in the ready reserve, is to lead to a new awareness that military qualifications also provide relevant additional benefits for employers and are therefore also significant for business.

The Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces remarks as follows on the ready reserve:

 The operational readiness of the independently structured ready reserve is only possible to a limited extent, among other reasons because of shortages in personnel and equipment. There is a shortage of NCOs, in particular when it comes to specialist NCOs. There are deficiencies in the provision of military vehicles, night vision devices, communication systems (radios), NBC self-defence sets, and pistols.

 Extra-budgetary funding is necessary to equip 10 infantry battalions of the ready reserve fully by 2020.

 Soldiers in the ready reserve, who receive a salary of more than EUR 1,828.22 per month during national service are disadvantaged insofar as corresponding higher contributions to their pensions are not made.

 Those employees who carry out a function in the ready reserve amount to additional benefit for their employers and are, therefore, significant for the economy.

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VII. 4. Servicewomen

Project Fit for the Forces was to encourage females to join the military profession.

The Fit for the Forces preparation course guided female soldiers through the training content, including defence politics, sports and combat training. The aim was to increase the soldierly performance capability and to present a realistic picture of the military career, based on psychological and physical challenges. The project was open exclusively to women. This led to the impression that female soldiers were given special treatment and this played out negatively on a day-to-day basis in the barracks.

In general, female soldiers found the exchange of experiences to be useful as part of the common training. The pilot project was concluded on 31 August 2018.

The servicewomen appreciated the NCO Academy in Enns as a good training location, with good transport connections. They rated the training as purpose-oriented, with the goal to prepare them for the Key Personnel Training Course 1. Since September 2018 the Key Personnel Training Course 1 has been conducted at the locations of Bruckneudorf, Zeltweg and Absam. These training locations are too far-off to many servicewomen, so that their private and social contacts and friendships suffer. Women give priority to a centralised and easily accessible location.

With reference to the percentage of female soldiers raised from 2 to 4 percent thanks to the successful Fit for the Forces project and other measures, the Presidium of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces supports the continuation of MoD initiatives and projects, such as In Favour of the Soldier, to optimise the recruitment of key personnel. An expansion of the target group of project Fit for the Forces to include males as well is to be aimed at (so far exclusively for women).

VII. 5. Work meeting with the Federal President

On 27 November 2018, Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the Presidium of the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces to a meeting.

He stressed that the Armed Forces are committed to protecting and maintaining the internal order of the state and to defending national sovereignty against foreign threats.

The political leaders, in turn, are responsible for providing the necessary resources and guaranteeing the constitutional status of the Austrian Armed Forces.

THE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

ANNUAL REPORT 2018