Austria's defense spending is 0.79% of Gross National Product, the lowest in Europe. They had planned to increase their spending this year, but this will not happen due to economic pressures. The defense budget, however, will not suffer the cuts imposed on other Austrian government ministries. The Austrians want to buy nine new multi-role helicopters. Sikorski has offered to accept the 130 M60A5 tanks retired from the Austrian Army as partial payment (covering 80% of the aircraft cost). Export of the tanks, however, would take a special exception to Austrian laws. --Stephen V Cole