Hattmannsdorfer wants to leverage arms and dual-use boom for domestic industry

Export statistics underscore the interest: last year, Austria exported almost €4 billion in weapons and goods that can also be used militarily ("Dual Use"). In the area of export controls, the bulk of exports outside the EU – around €1.4 billion – went to third countries. Among dual-use goods, Taiwan was the largest non-EU customer with a trade volume of €190 million, followed by South Korea with €114 million.

Neutrality and export control

The minister stressed that the planned exports were not in contradiction to Austrian neutrality. "For me it is quite clear that all of this is also in line with neutrality," he said in a press meeting with journalists. The export control regulations were not intended to weaken neutrality, but to clarify "what is allowed and what is not."

Hattmannsdorfer also underlined the economic policy dimension: "But neutrality does not mean that we weaken our industrial strength." The domestic arms and security industry must not lose touch with international markets, he warned. The minister pointed to existing Austrian competencies, for example in vehicle and component manufacturing, which were to be bundled more strongly in the coming years.

Offset deals on the Leonardo aircraft

Hattmannsdorfer also wants to involve domestic industry in the billion-euro procurement project for the twelve Leonardo aircraft. Sample contracts for offset deals were to be drafted by the end of the year for the purchase, he announced on Monday. These are intended to ensure that Austrian suppliers receive orders in return.

According to the minister, additional potential arises from foreign trade with Asian markets. Taiwan and China are among the most important buyers of Austrian dual-use goods. The minister sees the growing demand from Asian countries as an opportunity to broaden the export base of the domestic security and defense industry.

Strict review of exports

At the same time, Hattmannsdorfer pointed out that the control of exports would continue to be strict. The domestic authorities examine every application for compliance with neutrality provisions as well as European and international requirements. The statistics showed that exports outside the EU had grown continuously in recent years without neutrality being called into question.

Hattmannsdorfer came to the Rheinmetall plant in Vienna-Liesing in the morning to get an impression of the production capacities. The site is part of the Austrian value chain in the field of defense technology. The minister announced that he would visit further companies in the security and defense industry in the coming weeks.

Next steps: strategy for the security industry

With a view to the geopolitical situation and high demand from European and non-European countries, the economics minister sees pressure to act more quickly. Industry needs reliable framework conditions so that investments are made in Austria, he said.

Overall, he wants to use the coming months to develop a strategy for the security and defense industry together with the ministries, the Economic Chamber and the Federation of Austrian Industries. This was to combine export opportunities, offset deals and the strengthening of the business location.