Austro-Hungarian Navy : Ask Biography

Austro-Hungarian Naval Ensign

Military unit

Unit name

Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine
Austro-Hungarian Navy

Founded

1867 � 1918

Country

Austria-Hungary

Allegiance

House of Habsburg

Branch

Military

Type

Navy

Role

Defense of the Adriatic Sea

Size

4 Dreadnoughts
9 Pre-dreadnoughts
4 Coastal defence ships
3 Armoured cruisers
6 Light cruisers
30 Destroyers
36 Torpedo boats
6 Submarines

Engagements

Boxer Rebellion
World War I

Commanders

Notable
commanders

Wilhelm von Tegetthoff
Anton Haus
Miklós Horthy

Home | Military Unit | Austro-Hungarian Navy

The Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of Austria-Hungary. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine (Imperial and Royal War Navy), abbreviated as k.u.k. Kriegsmarine.This navy existed under this name after the formation of the Dual Monarchy in 1867 and continued in service until the end of World War I in 1918. Prior to 1867, the country's naval forces were those of the Austrian Empire. By 1915 a total of 33,735 naval personnel served in the k.u.k. Kriegsmarine.

Neither Austria nor Hungary had a coast or sea ports after World War I, thus having little or no need for a naval force. The available ports in the Adriatic Sea became part of Italy and Yugoslavia.

Ships of the k.u.k. Kriegsmarine were designated SMS, for

Seiner Majestät Schiff (His Majesty's Ship).