Get to Know Austria's New Minister of Defence Thomas Starlinger

PeoplePoliticians ♦ Published: June 18, 2019; 12:23 ♦ (Vindobona)

Thomas Starlinger (56) is an Austrian officer (Major General), consultant and politician. He is regarded as a proponent of a professional army. Most recently, he worked as an adjutant to Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who also appointed him Federal Minister of Defence on 3 June 2019.

Starlinger was appointed Minister of Defence on 3 June 2019, / Picture: © Bundesheer/Harald MINICH

Major General Mag. Thomas Starlinger was born on 27 January 1963 in Gmunden, Upper Austria.

Military Career

Thomas Starlinger began his career in the armed forces in 1981. After training as an officer at the Theresianische Militärakademie in Wiener Neustadt, he served as a training officer, company commander and head of human resources and public relations in the then…