Bureaucratic chaos: Steyr Arms wins millions to Tunisia!

Bureaucratic chaos: Steyr Arms wins millions to Tunisia!

Lately, the Upper Austrian weapon manufacturer Steyr Arms has been faced with problems that affect not only the operation but also the future of the company. A large order from Tunisia, which provided the delivery of 8,000 assault rifles worth 9.5 million euros, is in the stars because Steyr Arms failed due to an export permit. The press reported that the application was already submitted on December 20, 2024, but the necessary approval of the Interior Ministry failed to inquire.

Another annoyance was the late handling by the authorities: The deadline for the delivery was initially extended until April 16 and then until May 6, 2025, without Steyr ARMs received the required permit. Managing Director Oliver Bauer remained unreachable for a statement, while the ministries concerned refer to data protection and torture. This is a bitter setback for the company, since it is a lucrative long -term order with spare parts sales over 25 years.

But there are not only difficulties in Tunisia. The export of fully produced sniper rifles to Oman also extends due to months of approval processes. The long business relationship with Oman could now be at risk, and Steyr Arms is under pressure because customers could make purchases elsewhere. A spokesman for the company expressed concern that customers threatened to place their orders in other EU countries, Great Britain or the USA if the delivery situation should not improve at short notice. military currently reports that Steyr Arms threatens to relegate from Austria despite full order books.

The situation throws a light on a bigger problem: bureaucracy around the permits for armaments. According to bmwet.gv.at , the export of defense goods is subject to strict requirements. These goods are defined in the EU military goods list, and export must be approved in accordance with the 2011 Foreign Trade Act. These strict regulations are intended to ensure that export applications are thoroughly checked, but in fact this often leads to long delays.

The problems of Steyr Arms are not only a local affair, but also reflect the challenges that the entire industry faces. It remains to be seen whether the decision -makers in Austria react to the company's calls for help and take the necessary steps to enable export again. In view of the current geopolitical situation and the associated economic uncertainties, a rapid clarification of the situation will probably not only be of great importance for Steyr Arms, but for the entire Austrian armaments industry.