
The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces - Mission statement
The mission of the Imperial and Royal Armed Forces, as defined by the Mission Statement of 2001, by the Imperial and Royal Ministry for Defence encompasses the following responsibilities:
- Peacetime Security: To provide forces needed in peacetime to ensure the protection and security of the Monarchy, to assist as required with the evacuation of nationals of the Monarchy overseas, to afford Military Aid to the Civil Authorities in the Monarchy, including Military Aid to the Civil Power, Military Aid to Other Government Departments and Military Aid to the Civil Community.
- Security of the Overseas Territories: To provide forces to meet any challenges to the external security of an Overseas Territory (including overseas possession and the Sovereign Base Areas) or to assist the civil authorities in meeting a challenge to internal security.
- Defence Diplomacy: To provide forces to meet the varied activities undertaken by the Imperial and Royal Aulic War Council in conjunction with the Imperial and Royal Ministry for Foreign Affairs to dispel hostility, build and maintain trust, and assist in the development of democratically accountable armed forces (thereby making a significant contribution to conflict prevention and resolution).
- Support to Wider Interests of the Monarchy: To provide forces to conduct activities to promote interests of the Monarchy, influence and standing abroad.
- Peace Support and Humanitarian Operations: To contribute forces to operations other than war in support of interests of the Monarchy and international order and humanitarian principles, the latter most likely under EDA auspices.
- Regional Conflict Outside the European Defence Association Area: To contribute forces for a regional conflict (but on an attack on EDA or one of its members) which, if unchecked, could adversely affect European security, or which could pose a serious threat to interests of the Monarchy elsewhere, or to international security. Operations are usually under Organisation for Security Co-operation in Europe auspices.
- Regional Conflict Inside the EDA Area: To provide forces needed to respond to a regional crisis or conflict involving a EDA ally who calls for assistance under Article 5 of the Sudentor Treaty.
- Strategic Attack on EDA: To provide, within the expected warning and readiness preparation times, the forces required to counter a strategic attack against the EDA.
- The purpose of the k.k. Landwehr, k.b. Zeměbrana and k.u. Honvéd are to support the Armed Forces in their duties both externally and internally. They are also in peacetime responsible for the security and order in the Monarchy.
The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces - Branches
The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces consists of the following branches:
- The Imperial and Royal Land Forces
- The Imperial and Royal War Navy
- The Imperial and Royal Air Arm
- The Imperial and Royal Combat Support Services
The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces - Statistics
- Active duty manpower: Approximately 2,300,000 out of a population of 242 million.
- Budget for fiscal year 2020: 9.8% of the national budget.
The Imperial and Royal Army
The Imperial and Royal Army have a long and distinguished history from the early modern period and onwards. The Austrian War of Succession in the early 18th century and the Napoleonic Wars being a few examples. Famous victories include the Battle of Kolin, the Battle of Kunersdorf and the Siege of Vienna/Battle at Kahlenberg.
Currently it is the branch with the most history in the armed forces, with regiments dating as far back as to the the early 17th century. It is also the force with most manpower, at approximately 41% of the total active duty manpower available. Currently the Land Forces are a modern army in all senses of the word, even if its traditions are ancient.
The Imperial and Royal War Navy
Compared to the Land Forces, the Imperial and Royal War Navy is a more recent foundation, dating from the early 20th century. Famous Naval Engagements include the battle of Lissa and the Battle of the Strait of Otranto. Being the Strategic Deterrence component of the Monarchy is also one of its recent tasks.
The Imperial and Royal Air Arm
The Imperial and Royal Air Arm is the youngest branch of the three main branches. It was founded after the last major war that the Austro-Hungarian Empire fought in. It's also the most modern of the branches.
The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces - Organisation
Table of Ranks
High Command and Political Leadership
- K.u.k. Ministerium für Verteidigung
- K.u.k. Ministeramt der Verteidigung
- K.u.k. Verteidigungsminister: Constantia Amalia Herzogin von Braunschweig und Lüneburg, Fürstin von Calenberg
- K.u.k. Stellvertretender Verteidigungsminister: Großadmiral a. D. Franchesca Freiin von Lovisoni
- K.u.k. Präsidialbureau: Generalleutnant Vincenz Paulus Freiherr Meyer von Ellrichshausen
- K.u.k. Ministerialsektion für Personal: k.u.k. Ministerialrat Karl Anton Ludwig Joseph Jules Ignaz Maria Fürst Rohan, Herzog von Montbazon
- K.u.k. Ministerialsektion für das Militärjustizwesen: k.u.k. Ministerialrat Peter Stephan Schleyer Edler von Pontemalghera
- K.u.k. Ministerialsektion für Evidenz, Staatsschutz und Abwehr: k.u.k. Ministerialrat Antonia Josepha Ignatia Prinzessin von Falckenhorst, Reichsgräfin von Feulner
- K.u.k. Ministerialsektion für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung: k.u.k. Ministerialrat Alexander Felix Graf Nyáry von Nyáregyháza
- K.u.k. Ministerialsektion für Infrastruktur, Umweltschutz und Dienstleistungen: k.u.k. Ministerialrat Joachim Caspar Brenner von Felsach
- K.u.k. Generalchefauditor: Generalstabsauditor Karl Ludwig Freiherr Mednyanszky von Medgyes
- K.u.k. Militärintendanturinspektion: Admiraloberintendant Vítězslava Freiin Procházková, Chef der k.u.k. Militärintendantur
- K.u.k. Hofkriegsrathspräsidialamt
- President der Hofkriegsrath: General der Flieger Louise Victoria Felicia Maria Erzherzogin von Österreich, Großherzogin von Toskana
- Vicepresident der Hofkriegsrath: Feldzeugmeister Benedikt Joseph Ignaz Graf Braida von Ronsecco und Cornigliano
- K.u.k. Operationsbureau: Generalleutnant Melanie Wilhelmine Erzherzogin von Österreich, Großherzogin von Toskana, Chef des k.u.k. Operationsbureaus
- K.u.k. Evidenzbureau: Viceadmiral Ludovica Maria Gräfin von Kokorschova, Chef des k.u.k. Evidenzbureaus
- K.u.k. Heeresinspektion: General der Kavallerie Franz Hugo Pongrácz de Szent-Miklós et Óvár, k.u.k. Generalinspekteur des Heeres
- Präsidialkanzlei des k.u.k. Heeres: Generalmajor Anton Johann Edler Nastopil von Naswetter
- K.u.k. Infanterieinspektion: Feldzeugmeister Gabriel Franz Ferdinand Freiherr Mollinary von Monte Pastello, k.u.k. Generalinfanterieinspekteur
- K.u.k. Kavallerieinspektion: General der Kavallerie Johann Hieronymus Erzherzog von Österreich, k.u.k. Generalkavallerieinspekteur
- K.u.k. Artillerieinspektion: Feldzeugmeister Gideon Heinrich Freiherr von Lattermann, k.u.k. Generalartillerieinspekteur
- K.u.k. Genieinspektion: Generalmajor August Maria Karl Graf von Pötting und Persing, k.u.k. Generalgenieinspekteur
- K.u.k. Heeresintendantur: Militäroberintendant 1. Klasse Leopold Poppović
- K.u.k. Marineninspektion: Admiralleutnant Maria Leopoldine Erzherzogin von Österreich-Este, k.u.k. Admiralinspekteur der Kriegsmarine
- Präsidialkanzlei der k.u.k. Kriegsmarine: Kontreadmiral Xaver Engelbert von Nauta
- Operationskanzlei der k.u.k. Kriegsmarine: Kontreadmiral Ludwig Balthasar Graf von Grünne und Pinchard
- k.u.k. Marinenintendantur: Militäroberintendant 1. Klasse Wilhelm Ljubičić
- K.u.k. Luftwaffeinspektion: General der Flieger Maria Louise Edytha Gräfin Czernin von und zu Chudenitz, k.u.k. Generalinspekteur der Luftwaffe
- Präsidialkanzlei der k.u.k. Luftwaffe: Generalmajor Ignaz Evangelist Gustav Hilgers von Falkenstein
- Operationskanzlei der k.u.k. Luftwaffe: Generalleutnant Emil Johann Schubert Edler von Schwertenau
- k.u.k. Luftwaffeintendantur: Militäroberintendant 1. Klasse Ferdinand Hilvety
- Amt der k.u.k. WITCH-Kommando: Generalleutnant Johanna Wilhelmina Freiin Dietrich von Falkenhorst, k.u.k. Generalinspekteur der WITCH-Kommando
- K.u.k. Streitkräftebasisinspektion: Feldzeugmeister Franz Carl Anton Vukobrankovics de Vuko et Branko, Generalinspekteur der k.u.k. Streitkräftebasis
- K.u.k. Trainkommando: Feldmarschalleutnant Leonhard Franz Xaver Graf von Harrach zu Rohrau, k.u.k Generaltraininspekteur
- K.u.k. Militärerziehungsamt: Feldmarschalleutnant Leopold Franz Verona von Vermonte, k.u.k. Generalinspekteur der Militärerziehungs- und Bildungsanstalten
- K.u.k. Sanitätstruppenkommando: Generalstabsarzt Alexandra Odilie Gräfin Hochberg von Hennersdorff, K.u.k. Sanitätstruppenkommendant
- K.u.k. Apostolisches Feldvikariat: Professor Doktor Johann Emmerich Freiherr Bjelik, k.u.k. Apostolisches Feldvikar
- K.u.k. Ministeramt der Verteidigung
The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces - Equipment
- Service Rifle of the Imperial and Royal Army: StG 77D
- Ceremonial Drill Rifle of the Imperial and Royal Army: G 95/90A
- Service Rifle of the Imperial and Royal Navy: StG 77D
- Service Weapon of the Imperial and Royal Air Arm: StG 77D; P90
- Service Rifle of the Special Forces: G11A
- Service Sidearms of the Armed Forces: MP9; P80
- Combat Knife/Bayonet: KM2000; Haubajonett Muster 1876 Martini-Henry
- Swords: Infanterieoffiziersdegen M1897; Kavallerieoffiziersdegen M1912; Kavallerieoffizierssäbel M1869; Kürassierpallasch M1769
- Light Machine Gun: LMG 77D; LMG11A
- General Purpose Machine Gun: MG 42/74
- Heavy Machine Gun: üsMG M2
- Mortars: lGrW 82; mGrW 82; sGrW 86
- Automatic Grenade Launcher: GMG; AG77
- Antitank Weapons: Panzerabwehrlenkwaffe Spike; Panzerabwehrlenkwaffe 2002 NLAW; Panzerabwehrrohr 94
- Man-portable air defence weapon systems: Fliegerfaust Mistral 3
- Designated Marksman, Sniper and Anti-Materiel Rifles: SSG 129; SSG 65; SSG M107A; G28A; G 95/90A; SSG 05; PSG 11
- Main Battle Tank: KPz Oroszlán
- Light Tanks: StuG Ulan
- Formation Reconnaissance Vehicles: SpPz Ulan; FüPz Ulan; RakJPz Ulan; Wiesel 2
- Armoured Personnel Carriers/Infantry Fighting Vehicles: SPz Ulan; MTPz Pandur II; MTPz Ulan
- Battlefield Electronic Warfare Complexes: RdPz Dingo 2 BÜR; RdPz Arthur; Radiotechnisches Aufklärungskomplex Muster 1986/1991; Radiotechnisches Aufklärungskomplex Muster 2006
- Armoured Recovery Vehicles: Bergepanzer Büffel; BPz Greif
- Armoured Combat Engineer Vehicles and Equipment: PSB Leguan; PiPz Kodiak; Python Minefield Breaching System
- Protected Troop Transports: Dingo 2; LAPV Enok
- Troop and Materiel Transport: Steyr 12M18; Tatra T815 s-LKW; Wolf gl; Geländewagen Pinzgauer
- Artillery: Feldhaubitze M777; PzMrs Ulan; 15.5 cm Autokanone M./99 Ondava; Panzerhaubitze 2000; Leichtes Mehrfachraketenwerfer; Mittleres Artillerieraketensystem
- Coastal Artillery: MBDA Blackadder; MBDA Perseus; MBDA Sica; MBDA Gladius
- Anti Aircraft Artillery: EADS Theatre Aerospace Defence System; EADS Medium Area Air Defence System; FlaKPz Leopard 2; FlaRakPz Ulan; Nächstbereichschutzsystem MANTIS
- Utility Helicopters: AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1/2/HC.3/HAR.4; Boeing Chinook HC.3/6; Sikorsky Super Stallion HC.4; AgustaWestland Lynx Wildcat AH.1/HM.1
- Attack Helicopter: AgustaWestland Apache AH.1
- Landing Crafts Auxiliary: Engin de débarquement amphibie rapide
- Air-Superiority Fighter: Gemballa Cuirassier F.1; Jaakola Wyvern FGS.1; BAE Systems Tornado F.4; BAE Systems Talon FRS.1
- Multirole Fighter Aircraft: Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4/5/5A; BAE Systems Peregrine FA.4/4A; EADS/BAE Storm Kestrel FGA.1
- Strike Fighters: BAE Systems Tornado GR.5; Focke-Wulf Gyrfalcon GR.1; Lyran Arms/EADS Firefalcon FRS.3A
- Bomber Aircraft: Gemballa San Real B.1; EADS Greif B.1
- Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle: BAE Systems Taranis DGR.1; General Atomics Reaper DR.1
- Reconnaissance Aircraft: Lockheed Dragon Lady SR.1; Northrop Grumman EuroHawk SR.1; Northrop Grumman Triton MR.1
- Specialised Aircraft: EADS Athena AEW&C.1; EADS Athena R.2; EADS Voyager EC.4; Northrop Grumman Hawkeye MAEW&C.4; EADS Argus AEW.1; Boeing/EADS Cygnus KC.Mk.1/2; EADS Voyager KC.3/6/7; Airbus Atlas KC.2; BAE Systems Nimrod MRA.4
- Strategic Airlift: Airbus Pallasch CC.1; Lockheed Galaxy C.4; Boeing Globemaster III C.2
- Medium Airlift: Airbus Atlas C.1
- Trainers: Bell Griffin HT.1; BAE Systems Hawk T.2; Eurofighter Typhoon T.3; BAE Systems Peregrine T.3; Gemballa Cuirassier T.2; Aero Vodochody Albatross T.1; EADS Mako T.1; Grob Tutor T.1; Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1; Pilatus Turbo Guardian T.1
- Missiles: MBDA Sica; MBDA Gladius; MBDA Gryphon General Purpose Missile; MBDA Perseus; MBDA Scalpel; MBDA Shamal; MBDA Blackadder; MBDA Unicorn; MBDA Grey Sibyl
- Weapons of Mass Destruction: Jaakola Nepthys
The Imperial and Royal War Navy - Commissioned Ships
- Fleet Carriers: 8
- Light Fleet Carriers: 3
- Amphibious vessels: 4
- Ships of the Line: 6
- Great Cruisers: 5
- Cruisers of the Line: 15
- First Class Frigates: 15
- Second Class Frigates: 35
- Auxiliary vessels: 37
- Conventional Submarines: 9
- Nuclear Submarines: 15
The Imperial and Royal Army - number of regiments
- Infantry Regiments: 260
- Cavalry Regiments: 180
- Artillery Regiments: 243
- Aviation Regiments: 73
- Other Regiments: 310
The Imperial and Royal Air Arm - number of groups and regiments
- Fighter Groups: 63
- Strike Groups: 14
- Bomber Groups: 2
- Surveillance and Reconnaissance Groups: 13
- Logistics Groups: 52
- Air Station Protection Regiments: 32
- Air Station Regiments: 5