Loitering munition for the Bundesheer: Austrian defence ministry plans procurement

A delegation of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) recently attended a demonstration of so-called loitering munition in Slovenia – apparently for a concrete reason. As Die Presse reports, the Ministry of Defence is already working on concrete steps to introduce such systems.

Contrary to common belief, these are not classic drones. They are precision weapons that can circle over the target area for an extended period and strike on command. According to Die Presse, such systems are in future to be “represented across the board in the combat troops”.

Loitering munition: choice of type still open

Which type will be chosen, however, has not yet been decided. At present, “no exact effectors have been defined yet”, stresses Colonel Michael Bauer, spokesman for the Bundesheer. The selection is to focus strongly on simple handling. This suggests that the systems could also be used at lower tactical levels.

Some time is likely to pass before the final selection and actual introduction. It is also possible that several different systems will be procured, differing in range, explosive power and operational profile. According to Bauer, the acquisition is to take place “in the next few years”.