Military intelligence seeks expanded authority, according to Tanner's demands.
In a series of statements, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner has provided insights into the country's security strategy and the revision of the Military Authorization Act.
Minister Tanner has expressed confidence that the revised act will be in place by Christmas, aiming to enable Austria's intelligence services to keep pace with technological advancements and identify potential threats in advance. The governing party, in partnership with the ĆVP, is currently negotiating the revised act's details.
The revised act also includes provisions for the collection, evaluation, and use of travel data, as well as adapting authorizations. Tanner has emphasized the importance of public involvement in the revision of the Austrian security strategy, with three dialogue forums held in the fall to engage the population.
On the topic of Austria's potential involvement in a peace mission, Tanner has stated that it is too early to speculate. However, she has welcomed the ongoing negotiation process for the Ukraine conflict and praised the government's efforts to ensure peace.
Tanner has also expressed caution about predicting how quickly peace will come in the Ukraine conflict, stressing the need for a comprehensive and well-thought-out strategy. She has criticized the Freedom Party for attempting to gain political points with opposing misinformation on the topic of peace missions.
Regarding the defense budget, Tanner expects the increase to two percent of GDP, as stipulated in the government program, to actually occur. She is also confident that the Army's 2032+ development plan will hold, ruling out any potential cuts.
The Minister has also addressed concerns about the population's displeasure with military spending versus spending on social issues, education, and health. Tanner does not fear that this displeasure will grow, emphasizing that every deployment of an Austrian soldier is voluntary.
In other news, the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office has found no initial suspicion of criminally relevant proceedings in the procurement process of the Leonardo M-346FA jet. This finding should provide reassurance to the public regarding the transparency and integrity of the procurement process.
Lastly, Tanner has ruled out the possibility of Austrian neutrality being called into question, stating that the geopolitical situation has changed drastically. She has reiterated her commitment to maintaining Austria's neutrality while ensuring the country's security and contributing to global peace efforts when necessary.
