The Austrian federal government is planning a U -Turn in military tenders: in the future, counter transactions – officially referred to as “industrial collaborations” – will be forced again. It is a “matter of common sense,” says economic minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP).
The minister said in the “lunch journal” of Ö1 that it was a “matter of common sense” that domestic industry also benefits or billions were invested in defense. According to the minister, other countries such as the Netherlands have regularly placed it.
Defense Minister of Reserved
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) is also generally positive, but more reserved. In comparison with the “Kurier”, she emphasized that she paid attention to as many orders as possible for the Austrian economy on the way to a modern army – insofar as it was legally possible.
The arms agreement from 2024 offers a drastic example of the previous distance from counter-transactions: Austria ordered nine Embraer transport aircraft of the type C-390M together with the Netherlands. In contrast to the Netherlands, the production orders, also for the Austrian machines, emptied the domestic industry.
“Teller -transactions” in Austria
A reason for the long-term restraint: the term “counter-business” has been taxed in Austria since the Eurofighter scandal. The purchase of the interceptors two decades ago led to a committee of inquiry, there is still open criminal procedures. In 2017, against transactions, even explicitly prohibited by the then Minister of Defense Hans Peter Doskozil (Spö).
Real outlook carefully formulated
To exclude corruption risks in the future, according to Hattmannsdorfer, a state arming agency must take over the handling and supervision. Moreover, the Ministry of Defense refers to an independent purchasing research committee that constantly checks orders.
In the current coalition program, the planned repeat is carefully formulated: there is “international industrial cooperatives”. Insiders see this a clear return to the practice of against transactions – under a new name and with stricter rules.
Also positive examples
Examples of successful integration of domestic companies already exist. For example, more than 90 percent of the orders were allocated to regional companies in the modernization of the barracks. More than 200 Austrian companies were involved in the purchase of more than 200 Pandur Wheel Armor, with an extra value of more than 70 percent domestic.
Details about other planned tenders are still being processed. The Ministry of Defense refers to current budget negotiations. In any case, there is still a decision about the Eurofighter successor in this legislative period.
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.
