In 1955, Austria has declared her Everlasting Neutrality, and has made neutrality a constitutional law. The main purpose of the Austrian military was the protection of Austria's neutrality.

With the end of the Cold War, Austrian military has also increasingly been used to safeguard Austrian borders against illegal immigrants.

Austria's support of the US-led coalition in the 1991 Gulf War, as well as Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 are seen as a weakening of Austria's neutrality, and possibly first steps to joining a (future) European military alliance.

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Military branches:

• Army (includes Flying Division)

Military manpower - military age:

• 19 years of age

Military manpower - availability:

• males age 15-49: 2,088,993 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:

• males age 15-49: 1,733,681 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:

• males: 51,335 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

• $1.7 billion (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

• 1.2% (FY98)

Reference

Much of the material in this article comes from the CIA World Factbook 2000.

See also : Austria