Now it’s suddenly 5 to 12 again: Austria wants to upgrade, and fast. As an idle free rider, relying on NATO for protection, it doesn’t want to continue. Which weapons are needed and how exactly a defense strategy based on neutrality and without NATO WILL look like is still unclear. The wishes of the military are one thing, the decisions of the government in Vienna are something else. One thing is clear, and has been for many years: the Austrian army is in a disastrous state. has existed in recent years, the content was always the dozen: the army is broken, the equipment is very outdated and the militia system is de facto no longer there. Austria fell asleep somewhere in the times of the cold war. Disturbing a problem for so long, talking it up and delaying painful but necessary changes until it really “pushes” – that too is typically Austrian. At least ten years, say military experts and strategists of the Austrian Armed Forces, and it will take many billions of euros before excellent defense capability is restored at all.

Whether in the military or in Russia policy: Austria cannot continue as before

die aggression of Russia one thing above all on the “Island of the Blessed”: making pacts with autocracies, networking closely with them economically, profiting from them is not only morally – keyword human rights situation in Russia – reprehensible. Flirting with unpredictable despots like Putin and simply denying that a strong, democratic and united Europe is a thorn in his side will sooner or later fall on the head of even a neutral country, no matter how small.

Austria is now paying a price that is twice as high. In addition to high inflation and the energy crisis, the country also has to more than double its defense budget. The question is: where does the money come from? Who will pay? Those who have benefited from Putin’s business over the years are unlikely to do so, “skilled Austrians” know that. The broad masses will have to pay for the naivety of business and politics.

Allegedly “peace-moving” Putin understanders from the extreme right or transfigured old left may bang their drums no matter how intensely: There will be a return to the status quo between Austria and Russia, a turning back of the clock to February 24, 2022, even after Putin’s end War in Ukraine will not give. It’s time to wake up: The Alpine “Island of the Blessed” no longer exists.

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