Austrian Air Force

Austrian Air Force Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte
Austrian Air Force roundel
Active	1927–38 1955–present
Country	Austria
Role	Air Defense Force
Size	4,300 personnel 138 aircraft
Colors	red, white
Aircraft flown
Attack	Eurofighter Typhoon
Fighter	Eurofighter Typhoon
Trainer	Saab 105Ö, Pilatus PC-7
Transport	Lockheed C-130, Pilatus PC-6

The Austrian Air Force (German: Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte) is a component part of the Austrian armed forces (the Bundesheer).

The Austrian Air Force was formed in May 1955 by the victorious Allied powers, subject to restrictions on its use of guided missiles. The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 committed Austria to permanent neutrality.

Pilot training started out with a few Yak 11 Moose and Yak 18 Max aircraft donated by the Soviet Union, and Austria purchased further light trainer types under the Military Assistance Program. Until 1960 Austria purchased 62 training and support aircraft under the MAP, but no modern fighter aircraft; the role of a fighter was rather inadequately filled by the already outdated, 30 Saab 29 Tunnan bought second-hand from the Swedish Air Force in the early 1960s.

From 1970, Austria purchased a total of 40 Saab 105 lightweight multi-role aircraft with the intention to deploy them in trainer, reconnaissance, interception and ground attack roles. As it became clear in the 1980s that the sub-sonic aircraft were inadequate for air combat and airspace interdiction, Austria purchased 24 reconditioned Saab 35 Draken fighter aircraft to supersede the Saab 105 as the Austrian Air Force's main interceptor in 1988. The Saab 105 remained in service as a trainer/surveillance aircraft.

Shortly after, the Draken saw their first major use in airspace interdiction starting 1991 during the Yugoslav Wars, when Yugoslav MiG-21 fighters crossed the Austrian border without permission. In one incident on 28 June a MiG-21 penetrated as far as Graz, causing widespread demands for action. Following repeated border crossings by armed aircraft of the Yugoslav People's Army, changes were suggested to the standing orders for aircraft armament.