Theresian Military Academy commissions 132 new officers

The Theresian Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt held commissioning ceremonies for a new class of 132 officers, consisting of 125 men and 7 women. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner described the current geopolitical climate as a “security-politically challenging time” unlike any experienced in decades, emphasizing the need for complex threat management.

Minister Tanner and President Alexander Van der Bellen both advocated for the swift implementation of military service reforms to strengthen the militia. Van der Bellen noted that while the army budget has increased, it has not yet reached the target of 2 percent of the gross domestic product, a goal intended for the next decade.

The ceremonies also marked the retirement of General Rudolf Striedinger, the Chief of the General Staff. An alumnus of the academy, Striedinger addressed the new officers, noting that the quality of Austrian military training is highly regarded when compared to other international armies.