The Minister of Defense wants broader powers for the intelligence agencies.
Austrian Defense Minister Claudia Tanner (ÖVP) presented a revised version of the military powers law, aimed at giving intelligence agencies stronger tools to identify and respond to threats. The new proposal includes access to travel data, broader use of digital information, and updating powers to address modern security risks. Tanner emphasized that effective intelligence work is essential, especially after thwarting the attack on singer Taylor Swift's concert last year, which reignited the debate over anti-terrorism laws.
The minister confirmed that oversight will remain in place through the legal protection commissioner and the reports submitted to the secret subcommittee of the National Defense Committee. According to Tanner, the goal is not to grant unlimited powers, but to ensure that intelligence agencies can act quickly and in line with the latest technological developments. She explained that talks with coalition partners are ongoing, with hopes of reaching an agreement soon.
Despite the difficult financial situation, Tanner emphasized that the plan to rebuild the army by 2032 and increase the defense budget to 2% of GDP is still in place. She rejected the idea that increased defense spending would negatively impact funding for social care, education, or health, asserting that public opinion now considers security a top priority. In her view, Austria should avoid repeating the mistakes of the past when defense was the first area to face budget cuts.
Tanner defended herself against opposition criticism regarding arms deals, particularly concerning the Leonardo M-346FA aircraft deal. She pointed out that thousands of purchases are processed annually, and the final report of the procurement review committee has not yet been completed. She welcomed the public prosecutor's decision to combat corruption, which dismissed suspicions surrounding the deal, and anticipated the signing of the final contract before the end of the year. Regarding the alternative to Eurofighter aircraft, she confirmed that a decision will be made by 2028, with no allowance for any gap in airspace monitoring.
Regarding broader security issues, Tanner reiterated Austria's constitutional neutrality, ruling out any possibility of questioning it within the new national security strategy. She welcomed ongoing public dialogues to engage citizens in shaping defense policies. Concerning the war in Ukraine, she praised diplomatic efforts but emphasized that peace must be achieved first before Austria considers any potential peacekeeping role. She also confirmed that all Austrian military missions abroad remain entirely voluntary and criticized the Freedom Party's attempts to spread misleading information about this matter.