The military is reportedly getting nearly an additional $17 billion for rearmament and rearmament in the shadow of the war in Ukraine. But who will divide this huge sum over the next ten years? The focus is on four architects of the “Bouwplan 2032” who do the beautiful work for minister Klaudia Tanner.
After 30 years of stagnation, the armed forces suddenly shifted into fifth gear: Just months after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner put the first extra billions on the table for her planners, and now she can raise 16.6 billion euros for additional tenders within the next ten years. But first so much money has to be spent. Responsible for this are two military and two civilians who are suddenly negotiating contracts worth billions.
Plan there
At the latest since he first presented the “Construction Plan 2032” in October 2022, Major General Bruno Hofbauer, the head of planning, is considered the chief architect of the army’s massive restructuring over the next ten years. The 55-year-old, who also regularly appears on TV, has surprisingly ruthlessly pointed out gaps in the armed forces’ capabilities and has presented procurement plans based on them. The tenders are being conducted by the National Armaments Director, Major General Harald Vodosek.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs”
As a senior official in the Ministry of Defense, 42-year-old lawyer Dr. Arnold Kammel, especially the orientation towards the security and defense policy of the military – which has recently increased in projects such as the European Sky Shield or participation in international cooperation such as the State Partnership Program with the US Both Sky Shield and international partnerships would require large amounts of money from the new budget.
The generals
Chief of Staff Rudolf Striedinger, who was regularly in the spotlight as GECKO leader until his disbandment on Friday, has been known since Covid at the latest. As “chief of all soldiers” he has the task of refocusing the army on its proper task: national defense. What he needs for this has also flowed into the construction plan. Klaudia Tanner’s chief of staff, Friedrich Schrötter, is second in the group and one of the most experienced soldiers in the army. Both face the challenge of reducing the number of assistance missions, where military personnel have to take on auxiliary police duties for months on end.
The chief negotiator
Roman Markhart, who studied business administration, has had a long career in the Ministry of Defense, most recently as GECKO Chief of Staff and in Karl Nehammer’s cabinet. The politically active ÖVP negotiator agreed with the coalition partner the new state law on defense financing, resulting in the largest defense budget in the history of the army. He is the minister’s most important adviser and the young Lower Austrian is said to have great political talent within the ÖVP.
“We don’t buy what we don’t need,” has been the defense minister’s mantra for the past six months. “We won’t believe it until it’s in our yard,” on the other hand, is the mantra of many veteran officers. The first billions from the “Reconstruction Plan 2032” should flow to the arms industry in 2023.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
