Steyr Mannlicher grenade launcher selected for EF88 rifle
The Steyr Mannlicher SL40 grenade launcher has been selected by Thales Australia for the EF88 rifle currently being developed for the Australian Defence Force’s LAND 125 programme.
The SL40 is a light weight (1.025kg), side-opening grenade launcher with a double action trigger, lever-operated safety catch and 180mm (7”) barrel. It has been designed to integrate seamlessly with all EF88 variants and can be fitted in seconds by soldiers in the field without any specialist tools, delivering tactical flexibility.
Thales Australia selected the SL40 following a test and evaluation process. The grenade launcher will also form part of the F90 export version of the EF88 Thales Australia will bring to the market.
Under Land 125 Phase 3C, Thales Australia is also seeking expressions of interest from international companies for the provision of small arms accessories, including small arms surveillance and target acquisition system ancillaries for fitment to the EF88 weapon system.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Western Europe is looking to refresh its APC/IFV fleets with potential $41 billion spend
As militaries across Western Europe continue to modernise their capabilities, there are some major potential opportunities in the requirement for armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.
-
US Army orders more upgraded Bradleys as transformation threatens other programmes
Compared to previous versions of the vehicle, the Bradley M2A4 upgrade includes an uprated suspension, a more powerful engine, an independent commander’s sight, a more capable electronic architecture and improved networking capabilities.
-
De-Risking the Future: Manufacturing Certainty for Unmanned Systems
How strategic manufacturing partnership solves the industrialisation triad — Scale, Compliance and Cost — for hyper-growth defence tech innovators.
-
Battlefield mobility, made in the UK
How does Britain ensure that we can preserve the lives of our soldiers and allies – now and in the future – with homegrown innovation and resilient domestic manufacturing? At Pearson Engineering, we are proud to be a central part of the answer to this increasingly important question.