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.
More from Land Warfare
-
AUSA 2026: Northrop Grumman targets lower-cost air defence with $100 million Raid Hunter investment
At AUSA 2026, Northrop Grumman revealed it had invested US$100 million in its Raid Hunter gun-based air defence capability, which the company claims could reduce the cost of individual engagements by 95.5% compared with interceptor missiles.
-
Active protection systems: from optional upgrade to operational requirement
As battlefield threats multiply, active protection systems are becoming increasingly important for armoured vehicle survivability – but cost, integration challenges and evolving drone threats will determine how widely they can be deployed.
-
AUSA 2026: can converting established vehicle platforms offer route into emerging UGV market?
Defence manufacturers are showcasing uncrewed versions of established military and commercial vehicles at AUSA 2026 as the US Army’s Project Sustainment draws interest.
-
How laser weapons could transform the economics of European air defence (Podcast)
Former UK Defence Secretary Lord John Hutton examines how drones, missiles, laser weapons and procurement pressures are reshaping European air defence.
-
Singapore confirms fully automated SIGMA SPH as new precision-strike system emerges
Singapore has confirmed plans to introduce a fully automated howitzer alongside an emerging precision-strike capability whose weapon type and deployment status have not been disclosed.
-
The US DoD’s counter-drone marketplace begins to produce results
The Pentagon's push to accelerate counter-drone procurement is opening new opportunities for defence companies as it seeks to bring emerging technologies into operational service more quickly.