Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Osterreichische Luftstreitkrafte |
| English Title: |
| Austrian Air Force |
| Abbreviation: |
| OLk |
| First Established: |
| 1955 |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| Austria |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
Following the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a German-Austrian Flying Troop (Deutschösterreichische Fliegertruppe) was founded as an air policing service, with ex-wartime crews and aircraft. In 1919 the DF was ordered to be disbanded by the Allied Control Commission. On 1 April 1936 the Austrian Republic regained full sovereignty, although it was still prohibited from having any military aircraft. Even so, the Austrian Army quickly set up an Air Force. On 13 March 1938 Austria was incorporated into Germany, and the Air Force merged with the Luftwaffe. On 15 May 1955 Austria was re-established as a sovereign state. The present Air Force was formed in the same year.
| Key Dates: | ||
| 13 September 1955 | Army air section formed | |
| 9 December 1955 | Austrian Air Force re-established | |
| 1956 | First helicopters received – AB47G | |
| 1957 | First jet aircraft delivered – Vampire T.55 | |
Current Status
To be added
Future Plans
A replacement for the Eurofighter Typhoon may be obtained, which could also replace the SAAB 105s.
Markings
National Insignia
Aircraft Serial Numbers
Austrian aircraft serials are number/letter codes, where the first combination appears to indicate the aircraft type, and the second combination is the individual identity, eg: AB212 serial 5D-HB. The type codes are reused when an aircraft type is retired. Fighter aircraft (except the Typhoon) use a coloured letter system, where the colour indicates the parent squadron of the aircraft.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Ministry of Defence, Hütteldorfstrasse 126, Vienna A-1142.
Organisational Structure
The air force is organised into three Kommando (Commands) – Air Surveillance, Training and Air Support – each comprising one or two Wings with between two and four Squadrons each.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
To be added.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The main air bases currently used are Tulln/Langenlebarn, Zeltweg, Aigen im Ennstal and Linz/Horsching. In addition, aircraft are detached from the parent units to another two air bases.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main bases, there are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Austrian Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.5 p.141
World Air Power Journal No.15 p.120
Air Forces Research Nos.2 and 3
Air International July 1995
Air Forces Monthly August 1997
Websites
Austrian Air Force Photo Feature
The Official Austrian Air Force Website