Aussie EF88 rifle approaches delivery milestone
Deliveries of EF88 bullpup rifles to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are nearing completion, with just 4,000 of these 5.56mm weapons left to be completed. With this milestone in sight, Thales Australia is looking to cement export sales for its premier rifle product.
An ADF production contract, signed with Thales Australia in July 2015 under Project Land 125 Phase 3C, promised the delivery of 30,000 rifles plus 2,500 SL40 40mm under-barrel grenade launchers.
This A$100 million (US$65.7 million) contract saw all rifles manufactured at Thales Australia’s facility in Lithgow, New South Wales. It takes 5.9h to build a single
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![April land forces roundup: Munitions and long-range fires drive procurement momentum]()
April land forces roundup: Munitions and long-range fires drive procurement momentum
The demand for long-range fires continues alongside the drive to increase artillery shell manufacture and the procurement of new artillery weapons.
-
![Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance]()
Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance
Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.
-
![Is the RCH 155 self-propelled wheeled howitzer for the British Army finally on the way?]()
Is the RCH 155 self-propelled wheeled howitzer for the British Army finally on the way?
The Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm self-propelled gun is making strong progress, with contracts being placed and production capacity being boosted for the base Boxer vehicle.
-
![ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms]()
ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms
Following an order from the British Army, ARX Robotics has begun manufacturing autonomous ground platforms in the UK. Christopher Foss examines the company's growing range of systems.
-
![Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs]()
Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs
Ripsaw M1 has been designed to support the US Marine Corps’ littoral missions by carrying diverse types of payloads and performing multiple missions. Shephard spoke with Textron to find out more.
-
![UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme]()
UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after health issues during an exercise. However, an investigation reported “no single causal mechanism of the symptoms reported by our soldiers but rather a combination of multiple factors”.
