Austro-Hungarian Navy

The Austro-Hungarian Navy, established in the late 19th century, served the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which existed from 1867 to 1918. Its primary role was to protect the empire's interests in the Adriatic Sea and to assert its presence in international waters. The navy built a fleet that included battleships, cruisers, and submarines, reflecting the empire's ambitions as a maritime power. However, it struggled with modernization and competition from stronger navies like those of Britain and Italy. The navy saw limited action during World War I and was ultimately disbanded after the empire's collapse in 1918.