The Austrian Armed Forces are making a big move away from Microsoft Office. Instead, they are adopting LibreOffice, an open-source office software. This change affects about 16,000 workstations. The goal is to boost the country’s tech independence and keep data processing secure within their own systems.

The plan to switch started back in 2020. At that time, it became clear that Microsoft Office was shifting toward cloud-based services. Austria wanted to avoid relying too much on US-based tech and to have more control over their digital tools. By 2023, several departments had already made the switch to LibreOffice, and in 2024, Microsoft Office 2016 was removed from all computers in the military.

Why the move to open source?

Many governments and organizations are choosing open-source options to stay independent from big tech companies. LibreOffice has become the most popular open-source office suite worldwide. It’s especially appealing to organizations that want to keep their data on local servers instead of in the cloud. The Austrian Armed Forces see open source as a way to improve security and avoid vendor lock-in.

They also see a chance to contribute to LibreOffice’s development. The military has funded and helped develop new features, contributing the equivalent of over five years of work. These improvements include better list formatting, tools to delete metadata, and advanced features for presentations. All these updates are shared with the entire LibreOffice community, making the software better for everyone.

Open source options gaining traction

Austria isn’t alone in this shift. Many non-US organizations are interested in open-source software to maintain digital sovereignty. Germany-based Nextcloud recently launched a new open-source service. It aims to provide a secure, locally hosted alternative to US cloud services like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

The move by Austria’s military reflects a broader trend of governments seeking more control over their digital infrastructure. Open-source software offers transparency, customization, and independence that proprietary solutions often can’t match. As more organizations realize these benefits, open-source office suites like LibreOffice are likely to grow in popularity.

In the end, Austria’s decision shows a strong commitment to technological independence and security. By supporting open-source projects, they are helping shape a future where digital tools are more open, secure, and aligned with national interests.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4065856/austrian-armed-forces-switch-from-microsoft-office-to-libre-office.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• heise.de
• podigee.com
• podigee.com