For heavy-duty operations

WEGA receives new “Survivor” special vehicle

(Bild: APA/BMI/KARL SCHOBER)

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) handed over the special vehicle "Survivor" to the special unit WEGA today, Monday, in Vienna. The heavily armored vehicle is primarily intended for particularly dangerous missions - including terrorist situations.

"If we don't need it, we're happy. But when we do need it, we're happy to have it," explained Ernst Albrecht, Head of Unit of the Austrian Rapid Reaction Force and WEGA, at a press conference.

"Not aimed at people"
Albrecht emphasized that the vehicle is not a tank and is therefore not armed. "It is not aimed at people," said the former WEGA commander. Rather, the "Survivor" is intended to rescue people or emergency personnel from a dangerous area or to approach a particularly dangerous situation. For security reasons, Albrecht, who is also responsible for the security service, did not want to reveal any specific details about the armor.

During the presentation, an interim assessment was also made of the Rapid Intervention Group (SIG), which was founded nationwide following the 2020 terrorist attack and modeled on WEGA. The SIG serves to support the police inspectorates when dealing with people with an increased risk potential. According to Karner, 6,640 people have been arrested by SIG officers since September 1, 2021. The Director General for Public Security, Franz Ruf, emphasized the importance of the SIG, especially in view of the heightened terror alert level in Austria.