• Private Jackson Bartlett from the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment scans for targets, during the testing of the new Grenade Launcher Attachment (GLA) on an EF88 Austeyr weapon at Kangaroo Flats firing range, outside of Darwin.
    Private Jackson Bartlett from the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment scans for targets, during the testing of the new Grenade Launcher Attachment (GLA) on an EF88 Austeyr weapon at Kangaroo Flats firing range, outside of Darwin.
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Philip Smart | Adelaide

The enhanced Austeyr F88 (EF88) assault rifle has been described as “lethal, robust, ergonomic and superior” by personnel involved in the trial this month.

The 1st Battallion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) is being issued with the EF88 in June as part of Project Land 125-3C. The updated weapon is equipped with an enhanced day sight, foregrip and, for grenadiers, a grenade launcher attachment.

Colonel Scotty Palmer, of Army Headquarters, said the EF88 being issued to 1 RAR this year was a comprehensive enhancement to the current F88.

“Trial results have confirmed our soldiers consider this weapon to be remarkably modular, balanced and accurate during combat and longer range shooting,” Colonel Palmer said.

Private Jake Whitlock of 1 RAR was involved in a previous trial of the EF88.

“The EF88 impressed everyone with its accuracy, reliability and design,” Private Whitlock said.

Lessons learned from the rollout of the EF88 to 1 RAR will influence the introduction into service of the EF88 and ancillary packs provided by Land 125-3C from 2016.

Land 125-3C Project Officer Major Mick O’Sullivan of Army Headquarters said in addition to the introduction of the EF88, Land 125-3C would include a range of state-of-the-art weapon ancillaries to optimise the performance of the EF88.

“Land 125-3C will deliver the EF88 with ancillary packs configured to the tier and role of the recipient,” Major O’Sullivan said.

“These ancillary packs, combined with creative, persistent and challenging training, will empower Army’s Tier 2 and 3 combatants to achieve superior competence in combat shooting and marksmanship.”

A tiered approach has been adopted for Army’s Soldier Combat System (SCS). Land 125-3C will provide the EF88 and ancillary packs according to the SCS tiers to allow soldiers to have the equipment they need for their role.

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