The Aerospace / Security sector incorporates the areas of aviation and aerospace, defence and security. The majority of companies that can be assigned to the aviation and aerospace sector are supplier companies and there are only very few large OEMs. The export share of these companies is very high.
Globally, the aviation sector is of strategically eminent importance. It links cities and continents, is the engine for the world's economy and is characterised by high research intensity. It is largely independent of the economy and is thus a key pillar in value added and employment.
In the area of space technology, the entire spectrum is covered in Austria: from components for satellites and space vehicles to ground equipment and specialised measuring instruments. For instance, the Graz Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences is involved in five instruments for the space probe "Rosetta".
The industry counters the globally frequent natural disasters with new technologies and approaches and supplies products for forecasting, alleviation and reappraisal of natural disasters.
In light of geopolitical conflicts, international terrorism, crime and cyber risks, the security industry is seen as a growth market. The most important drivers for growth are internal security, security services, property and personal protection as well as network and data protection.
The four areas of the aviation, aerospace, security and defence sector have joint intersections; the specialisations of the companies are highly diverse. There are producers and service providers
- for aircraft, e.g. for materials, engines and drive technology, interior fittings or devices for air traffic control
- for satellites, e.g. communication and control facilities
- in the area of personal protection, property protection and surveillance, e.g. protective clothing, special vehicles, equipment for the fire brigade and the police, building technology and electronic surveillance systems and for civil protection
Aviation know-how with tradition
The Austrian aviation industry can look back at a history of more than 100 years. In 1909, the Austrian inventor Igo Etrich developed the so-called Etrich Taube, a mono-wing aeroplane that became the first mass-produced military aeroplane in Austria and Germany. Today, the Austrian companies in the aviation sector employ around 15,100 staff and generate around EUR 3,14 billion in turnover every year. A large percentage (75%) of the companies are small and medium-sized companies but there are also 20 companies with an annual turnover of more than EUR 10 Million.
High-tech for defence
The Austrian defence industry is a high-tech sector with great potential for the future. The majority of the companies manufacture so-called dual-use products that are used in the civilian and military sector. The Austrian security and defence industry generates an annual turnover of around EUR 2.7 billion.
Security for global markets
Products from Austrian companies in the security sector are in use all over the world. High-quality protective clothing, special vehicles, equipment for fire brigades and police, building technology, fire detection systems as well as alarm and electronic security systems are supplied. Austria's companies also have enormous know-how in the area of IT security.
Research
The research-intensive aviation sector invests an average of around 11% of its turnover in research, technology and innovation. With this research quota, civilian aviation is one of the most research-intensive sectors worldwide and ranks just behind the pharmaceutical industry.
These research investments are characterised by a very high level of efficiency. Turnover with products that were developed over the past five years reaches a share of around 45% of the total turnover of a company. In line with the motto: "Even quieter, with even lower consumption, even more lightweight, even more convenient", there is a very large demand for new, innovative products. Aviation is thus one of the "power innovators" among the industry sectors.