Austria allocates billions of euros for armoured vehicles while embracing neutrality

Austria will pay more than 1.8 billion euros for 225 Pandur Evolution armoured personnel carriers and still wants to remain neutral.

According to Austrian media, this is the largest arms contract in Austria in the last 20 years, and the country's ground forces are the most expensive purchase in history, Caliber.Az reports.

There are currently twelve different variants of the Pandur Evolution on order, for example for medical, command or anti-tank missions.

For him, as a former military man, the signing of the contract was a “special day,” said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. 30 years ago, he himself was a "highly motivated foot soldier" and now his cabinet is approving a mega-deal.

In addition to the army, Pandur Evolution is intended to benefit the Austrian economy. 220 local companies are involved in the production, 70 per cent of armoured vehicles are produced in Austria.

Nehammer recalled that defence concerns have "increased significantly" since Russia's war against Ukraine began. The modernization process that has now begun is aimed at smoothing out the “mistakes of the past.” In addition to military investment, the Chancellor also spoke about the “values of democracy” and their “defence.”

“This also includes being willing to defend your country with might,” Nehammer demanded.