Staff shortage – Federal Army Balkan missions at risk

The federal army’s contingent in Kosovo is currently 78 percent full and 81 soldiers are missing. The filling of the paramedics is only 36 percent, there are only five instead of 14 paramedics. And there is no Austrian doctor on site. “In fact, the Austrian medical train is not ready for action.” The military is threatened with a negative reputation as a “reliable partner,” says the paper, which comes from the agency responsible for foreign operations and available to the APA. “The execution of the order by AUTCON46/KAFOR is assessed as risky! The gaps will no longer allow mission-critical functions to be filled,” the warning continues. Good continuation cannot be guaranteed in some areas. The army has been in Kosovo since 1999 .

“Order fulfillment generally vulnerable”
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the army has been providing a contingent since 2004. And this one is currently only 78 percent full and mainly has problems in the medical sector. Conclusion: “The order fulfillment for AUTCON36/EUFOR ALTHEA is not given due to the lack of personnel in the medical supply sub-area, is generally assessed as vulnerable and has a negative effect on EUFOR’s business.”

“The issue was recognized some time ago and work is underway to resolve the issue,” the Defense Department told APA. Tightened recruitment measures were taken. In addition, it is assumed that the reduction in embassy staff will make more staff available for foreign assignments. The problem of staff shortages in key functions will be solved in the medium term by the fact that from October 2022 the Jägerbataillon 25 from Klagenfurt, an almost full professional military battalion, will take over the Austrian foreign mission at KFOR, the ministry said.