“Risk Image 2024” – Generals in Vienna: “The time for deterrence is back!”

Officially, the presentation of the ‘Risk Assessment 2024’ on Monday was the traditional start of the year for Defense in the field of security policy.

Unofficially it was a resounding warning call.

“Europe stopped preparing for war 25 years ago,” said Major General Bruno Hofbauer, just one of nine speakers at the high-profile event in Vienna. “The armed forces now also have to turn 180 degrees. We are not where we belong.” Because the threat situation for our country has changed since the world – especially ours in Europe – fell apart at the seams due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Cold War logic salutes you
The principle “When we are intertwined, we are more peaceful” no longer applies, Major General Peter Vorhofer added. But deterrence is back, Cold War logic sends its regards. “We are facing a restructuring of the world order,” says Vorhofer. A process that will take about twenty years.

So what should you do right away? Raiffeisen Attorney General Erwin Hameseder provided the first solutions: dependence on other countries must be reduced. Austria must become more resilient and independent, also with the help of the economy, said Hameseder, who was about to announce a counter-movement against globalization.

Watch the full event here:

But it doesn’t work without coming together. Especially in the military field: “Europe must strengthen its defense capabilities together,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. She referred to Sky Shield, the joint procurement project of 17 European countries (including Austria) for long-range air defense.

The federal army focuses on new, old tasks
For the Austrian armed forces, the new situation means above all: the focus changes completely. In the future, it will no longer involve smaller stabilization missions in distant countries, as was recently the case in the Sahel zone.

Instead, the emphasis will once again be on traditional national defense. With battle tanks and infantry, with anti-aircraft missiles and helicopters. “Neutrality alone does not protect,” said Professor Gerhard Mangott, also on the panel. “But armed neutrality is.”