Australia to order an additional 8,500 EF88 Austeyr 5.56mm assault rifles

The EF88 Austeyr rifle of the Australian Army. Photo c/o The Firearms Blog.

The Australian Department of Defence (DOD) confirmed that they are investing more on the EF88 Austeyr 5.56mm assault rifle for the Australian Army under its Soldier Modernisation Programme.

The DOD is planning to order another 8,500 units of the locally-made rifle, in addition to the 30,000 units already being delivered.by Thales Australia under a A$100 million (US$70 million) contract signed in August 2015.

This is expected not just to boost the overall capability of the Australian Army, but also provide jobs in the production facility in Lithgow, New South Wales. The decision appears to be part of the Australian government’s move to provide jobs and push for economic recovery.

The purchase will allow for the retirement of older rifles, reduce cost on sustainment, maintenance and training, and improve the soldier’s overall capability due to the rifle’s improved sighting system, accuracy, ergonomics and weight.

The EF88 Austeyr is the Australian designation of the F90 rifle, which is an improved variant of the F88 Austeyr rifle produced by Lithgow Arms, which is now part of Thales Australia. The F88 and F90 are license copies of the Steyr AUG rifle from Austria.


[1] Australian Department of Defence
[2] Jane’s