The Austrian army has received its first six light multirole vehicles, chich will be designated «Husar» in Austrian service and mainly operated by military police and patrol units
Defence Minister Gerald Klug handed over six protected multipurpose “Light Multirole Vehicles” made by Iveco to the military at Maria Theresa barracks. These special vehicles have been adapted to the needs of the military reconnaissance and military police and are fitted with blue lights and a siren. In addition, they provide high mobility and have a remote weapon station that can be operated from the inside. The soldiers gain special protection against fire, mines, booby-traps and shrapnel.
These vehicles will now be designated «Husar» (Hussar) in the army. The hussars were lightly armored, highly mobile mounted troops, which in addition to reconnaissance tasks also had special units to serve as military police. Defence Minister Gerald Klug emphasized in his speech that “With the «Husar», we make a big step in the modern equipment of the troops. It brings to our servicemen and women more protection in operations and a dramatic increase in mobility.”
Soldiers on foreign missions provide for the security and order within the army contingents. Depending on the mandate, they are used to restore and maintain public order. The military police can carry out patrols secured abroad with the “Horseman”, pick up offenders or resolve violent riots as at demonstrations. The army has a total of 150 protected multipurpose vehicles. The replacement cost for all vehicles amount to about 108 million euros.
