Defence has committed to purchasing an additional 8,500 Australian made Enhanced F88 (EF88) weapon systems.
This will supplement the 30,000 weapons that Thales Australia will deliver to Defence.
“The rifles will be manufactured at the Thales Australia site in Lithgow, NSW which employs around 130 Australians,” Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said.
This acquisition will allow the retirement of older weapons, reducing the cost of sustainment, maintenance and training.
Compared with previous systems, the EF88 rifle has significantly improved the capability of the soldier through improved range, accuracy, ergonomics and reduced system weight.
These additional weapons, which are being delivered under the lethality element of the Soldier Modernisation Program, will enable increased access to the EF88 across the full and part-time force, particularly Army’s 2nd Division.