List of equipment of the Australian Army

Uniforms

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Notes
Tiered Combat Helmet (TCH)		United States	Combat helmet	The standard issue combat helmet of the Australian Army is the Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic helmet designated the Tiered Combat Helmet (TCH).[1][2] The EXFIL Ballistic was selected under Land 125 Phase 3B in 2015.[1][2]
Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU)		Australia	Combat uniform	Standard issue combat uniform of the Australian Army. Its camouflage pattern is derived from Crye Precision MultiCam using a colour palette and shapes based on the previous Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU).[3][4] The AMCU was initially issued in late 2014 to 3rd Brigade with a final design roll out commencing in January 2016.[5][6]

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Assault rifles and carbines

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
EF88 Austeyr		Australia	Bullpup assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	The Enhanced F88 (EF88) Austeyr is the ADF's standard individual weapon. The roll out of the EF88 to replace the F88 Austeyr began in 2016.[7] The EF88 is manufactured in Australia by Thales Australia.[8] The EF88 has a carbine variant.[8] The ADF ordered 30,000 rifles and later 8,500 rifles.[9] The EF88 can be fitted the SL40 grenade launcher.[9] Regular infantry battalions have suppressors.[10]
M4 carbine		United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	Standard issue to special forces units. Its official designation in Australia is the M4A5.[11]
HK416		Germany	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Used by various special forces units.
L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle		Belgium  United Kingdom  Australia	Battle rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Used by the Australian Federation Guard with a bayonet attached for ceremonial purposes only.[12]

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Precision rifles

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
SR-98		United Kingdom	Bolt action sniper rifle	7.62×51mm	An Australian variant of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare, it is the standard-issue sniper rifle in the Australian Army and is chambered for 7.62×51mm. It replaced the Parker Hale Model 82 rifle in the late 1990s. Manufactured under licence in Australia by Thales Australia.
AW50F		United Kingdom	Anti-materiel rifle	.50 BMG	The AW50F is the largest-bore variant of the Arctic Warfare sniper rifles suited to the anti-materiel role. It is chambered for the .50 BMG cartridge, and is primarily used with NM140 HEIAP rounds. The AW50F was designed with an Australian-designed and manufactured barrel. It entered service in 2002.[13]
Blaser 93 Tactical 2		Germany	Bolt action sniper rifle	.338 Lapua Magnum	A straight-pull bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. Used by special forces and infantry units.
HK417		Germany	Battle rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	"Marksman Rifle System" used by infantry and special forces units to fill the gap between a sniper rifle and 5.56mm derivatives. It entered service in 2011.[14]
SR-25		United States	Semi-automatic sniper rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	A semi-automatic 7.62×51mm sniper rifle. In service with infantry and special forces units of the Australian Army. It has seen service in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.
Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (M14 EBR)		United States	Designated marksman rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Used by the Special Air Service Regiment.[15]
Barrett M82A2		United States	Anti-materiel sniper rifle	.50 BMG	A semi-automatic sniper and anti-materiel rifle chambered in .50 BMG.[16] Under LAND 159, the M82A2 will be replaced with the new and lighter M107A1.[17]

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Machine guns

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
F89A1 Minimi		Belgium	Light machine gun	5.56×45mm NATO	Light machine gun designated the Light Support Weapon (LSW) chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO. The F89 is also manufactured under licence in Australia by Thales Australia. Special forces units use the Para Minimi variant with a shortened barrel and sliding buttstock.[18]
Maximi		Belgium	Light machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	The 7.62×51mm NATO model of the Minimi designated the Maximi is also in limited service.[19]
FN MAG 58		Belgium	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	General purpose machine gun designated the General Support Machine Gun (GSMG) chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO. It replaced the M60 machine gun.
Browning M2HB-QCB		United States	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG	Heavy machine gun mounted on vehicles.

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Pistols

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
Self-Loading Pistol 9mm Mark 3		Belgium	Semi-automatic pistol	9mm	The Self-Loading Pistol 9 millimetre Mk.3 (Browning Hi-Power) is the standard issue service pistol of the Australian Defence Force.[20] Under LAND 159, the Hi-Power will be replaced by the SIG Sauer P320 XCarry Pro.[17]
Heckler & Koch USP SD		Germany	Semi-automatic pistol	9mm	The USPSD is used by special forces units.[21]

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Submachine guns

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
Heckler & Koch MP5		Germany	Submachine gun	9mm	Primarily used by special forces units in variants MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5A3 and MP5SD3. Under LAND 159, the SIG MCX in .300 Blackout calibre was selected as the Personal Defence Weapon to replace the MP5.[22][17]

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Shotguns

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
Remington Model 870 and 870P[23]		United States	Shotgun	12-gauge	Used by both special forces and Military Police personnel. It is also used in specific roles within the infantry. Under LAND 159, the Benelli M3A1 will replace the Model 870.[22][17]

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Grenade launchers

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
SL40 GLA		Austria  Australia	Grenade launcher	40×46mm	Steyr GL40 side opening Grenade Launcher Attachment (GLA) manufactured by Lithgow Arms and designated SL40 for the EF88 rifle.[24][25]
SL40 stand-alone		Austria  Australia	Grenade launcher	40×46mm	Steyr GL40 stand-alone frame variant manufactured by Lithgow Arms and designated SL40, fitted with a Daniel Defense DDM4 adjustable stock and Ergo AR15 grip.[25][26]
M203		United States	Grenade launcher	40×46mm	Attaches to the F88 (RM Equipment M203PI) and M4 (Colt M203-A1) rifles. M203 PI entered service in 2001.[27][28]
Mk 47 Striker LWAGL		United States	Automatic grenade launcher	40×53mm	Mk 47 Mod 1 Lightweight Automatic Grenade Launcher (LWAGL) fitted with Lightweight Video Sight (LVS2) sighting system. It replaced the Mk 19 AGL entering service in 2016.[29]

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Anti-armour

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
66mm Short-Range Anti-Armour Weapon (M72 LAW)		United States	Anti-tank rocket launcher	66mm	A single shot disposable anti-armour weapon.
84mm Carl Gustav Medium Direct Fire Support Weapon (MDFSW)		Sweden	Recoilless rifle	84mm	Primarily used in the anti-armour role. The Army operates the M3 version.[30] The Army has purchased 600 of the latest version the M4 with first deliveries received in 2021.[30][31] The M4 will be rolled out over five years. An M3 will be replaced when it reaches its ten year life span.[30] The Army has yet to procure a fire control system for the M4.[30] The M2 version will be retained for training.[30]
Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)		United States	Guided anti-armour missile	127mm	Prior to deploying to Afghanistan in 2001 the Special Air Service Regiment was equipped with the Javelin.[32] It entered service in 2006 with infantry and cavalry units.[33]

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Mortars

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
M252A1 Mortar		United States	Mortar	81mm	176 M252A1 81 mm Lightweight Mortars were purchased together with the M32A1 Lightweight Handheld Mortar Ballistic Computer to replace the F2 81 mm mortar.[34][35] The M252A1 entered service in 2019.[34][35]
M224A1 Mortar		United States	Mortar	60mm	The M224A1 60mm Lightweight Mortar is used by special forces units and will be in service with 2 RAR amphibious light infantry battalion.[36]

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Grenades and anti personnel mines

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Detonation	Notes
F1 Fragmentation Grenade		Australia	Fragmentation grenade	Striker Fuze	Manufactured by Thales Australia. It has a lethal radius of 6 m (20 ft) a casualty radius of 15 m (49 ft) and has a standard delay time of 5 seconds. The F1 grenade has >4,000 2.4 mm (3⁄32 in) diameter steel balls embedded uniformly in the 62 g of RDX/Wax filling.
F2 Blast Grenade		Australia	Blast grenade	Striker Fuze	An offensive grenade with no steel ball fragments. The F2 has an increased (110 g) RDX-based HE fill weight compared to the F1. The F2 provides the user a safer, and more predictable blast pattern, designed for use within confined spaces, specifically Close Quarters Battle.
A101 Series Coloured Smoke Grenade		Australia	Smoke Grenade	Primer & Delay	The A101 series smoke grenades are the current in service coloured smoke grenades,[37] and are a set of four coloured smoke grenades for hand signalling in the battlefield, to mark drop zones, landing zones, or the location of friendly forces. The A101 series smoke grenades come in; Red (A111), Green (A121), Yellow (A131), Blue (A151).[38]
M18A1 Claymore Antipersonnel Mine		United States	Anti-personnel mine	Remote - multiple methods	The Claymore is called an "Anti-Personnel Weapon".[39]

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Bayonets

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Name	Image	Origin	Type	Notes
M7 Bayonet		United States	Bayonet	The Army acquired 30,000 M7 bayonets in the early 1990s.[40][41][42]
M9 Bayonet		United States	Bayonet	The M9 is the Army's primary combat knife. The Army acquired more than 14,000 M9s in the early 1990s for attachment to the F88 Austeyr.[40][42]

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Infantry weapons

The Army has begun to roll out the Enhanced F88 Austeyr (EF88) to replace the F88 Austeyr. The new rifle has several new features including improved modularity featuring extended accessories rail, a fixed barrel, bolt catch release and a black paint scheme. In July 2015, the ADF ordered 30,000 EF88 rifles and 2,277 Steyr Mannlicher SL40 grenade launchers.^{[129][130][131][9]} The roll out of the EF88 was scheduled to begin in July 2016 commencing with 3rd Brigade and other Townsville-based units, then in 2017 7th Brigade and other southeast Queensland units and from 2018 to 2021 1st Brigade and others.^[7] In July 2020, a second order was placed for an additional 8,500 rifles for the Army Reserve 2nd Division.^[9][132] The Army acquired more than 500 suppressors for the EF88 that were manufactured by Oceania Defence for regular infantry battalions which were rolled out from May 2021.^[10]

In November 2021, Defence Technology Review reported that Thales Australia in collaboration with the Army were developing a next-generation individual weapon in bullpup configuration chambered for the 6.8 mm calibre similar to the US Next Generation Squad Weapon program.^[133]

Artillery

Under LAND 8113, the Army will acquire 42 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to provide fire support up to 300 kilometres (190 mi).^{[139][140][141]} The munitions the Army will procure include: M30A1, M30A2, M31A1, M31A2 and XM403 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and the M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).^[142][143] The HIMARS will incorporate a weapon locating radar from CEA Technologies.^[144] The government implemented the April 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommendation that LAND 8113 Phases 2-4 be accelerated and expanded.^[145][141]

In July 2021, the Army became a partner in the US Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program that is developing a surface-to-surface precision-strike guided missile with a range of over 400 kilometres (250 mi).^[146][147] The US Army has reported that the M142 HIMARS will be able to fire the PrSM.^[146]

Under LAND 8116 Phase 1, the Army will acquire 30 AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzers based on the South Korean Hanwha K9 Thunder together with 15 AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (AARV) to be built in Geelong in Victoria with deliveries expected in 2025.^{[148][149][150]} Under Land 8116 Phase 2, the Army would have received additional Huntsmans to form a second regiment.^[151][152] The government implemented the April 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommendation to cancel Phase 2.^[145][153]

In 2017, NIOA and Rheinmetall were selected as the prime contractors for LAND 17 Phase 1C.2 - Future Artillery Ammunition program to supply the Australian Army a suite of advanced Assegai 155mm munitions.^{[154][155][156]} The program has also re-established a domestic forging capability with a shell forging factory in Maryborough, Queensland as joint venture through Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM),^[157] with first rounds being produced in 2022,^[158] and exports in 2023.^[159] The Assegai fleet was chosen for a number of factors, including increased safety with the choice of insensitive HE rounds, enhanced lethality, extended range, and higher precision.^[160][161] This accomplished by ballistically matched rounds, requiring no change in firing tables when firing different capabilities, allowing faster more accurate follow up fire, in addition all rounds are fitted with a boat-tail assembly that can be replaced for a base-bleed unit increase the maximum range by 30% (which is over 30km for the 39-calibre M777A2 in service).^[162] The Assegai fleet being acquired includes: conventional HE, Insensitive Munition High Explosive (IHE), IHE Pre-Fragmented (PFF), Smoke, Visual and Infrared illumination and Extended Range Velocity Enhance (V-LAP), practice and inert projectiles; propelling charges, fuzes and boat tail and base bleed tail assemblies.^[154][163] The Assegai ammunition is qualified for use in all NATO 39 and 52 calibre 155mm guns. The first delivery of Assegai ammunition occurred in 2019.^[164]

Air defence

Under LAND 19 Phase 7B, the RBS 70 Short Range Ground Based Air Defence system will be replaced by the enhanced National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), with CEA Technologies Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, and the AN/AAS-52 Multispectral Targeting System (MTS-A).^[102][165] The system comprises a CEA Operational (CEAOPS) AESA search radar, fitted on a Rheinmetall HX77 truck, a 5m telescoping mast and housing mounted on a Hawkei PMV, and a Kongsberg Fire Distribution Centre (FDC), mounted on a HX40M truck together with a Mk2 canister launcher.^[165] The system also has a smaller, mobile CEA Tactical (CEATAC) AESA fire-control radar fitted to a Hawkei PMV, and a high-mobility launcher (HML) fitted to the Hawkei PMV.^[165] The Mk2 canister launcher and the high mobility launcher will be configured to launch the AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).^[165][166] An initial order of two batteries, consisting of a number of canisters and/or HML, a MTS-A EO/IR, FDC and a CEATAC; was placed in June 2019 with initial operational capability scheduled for 2022-23.^[167][102]

Anti-ship

Under LAND 4100 Phase 2, a deployable land-based anti-ship missile capability will be acquired.^[145][168] Kongsberg Defence Australia and Thales Australia are offering the StrikeMaster a Naval Strike Missile system based on the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle utility variant.^[169][170] Lockheed Martin is offering a M142 HIMARS system with the AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile).^[170] The Defence Strategic Review released in April 2023 recommended that the program be accelerated and expanded.^[145]

Armoured vehicles

Under LAND 121 Phase 4 in December 2011, the Thales Hawkei PMV (Protected Military Vehicle) was selected as the preferred tender for the Army's requirement of a light 4x4 armored car with a potential order for 1300 vehicles.^[128][171] The seven-tonne Hawkei has been described as a 'baby' variant of the Bushmaster^[172] having been developed by the same manufacturer.

Under LAND 400 the ASLAV and M113s will be replaced, with the project to acquire a Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), a Manoeuvre Support Vehicle (MSV) and an Integrated Training System (ITS). The ASLAV fleet is planned to be replaced from 2020, and the M113s from 2025.^[173] On 19 February 2015 the tender was opened for the replacement of the ASLAV, listing a requirement for up to 225 armored vehicles to provide the future mounted combat reconnaissance capability.^[174] The remaining requirements of the project will be confirmed by the upcoming Defence White Paper; however, it is expected to include an infantry fighting vehicle—a capability currently only partly provided by the in-service M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier—as well as a manoeuvre support vehicle, and an integrated training system.^[175] The project has since been scaled back with a 2023 Defence Strategic Review announcement that the armoured vehicle acquisitions would be reduced to accommodate a quicker acquirement of the land-based anti-ship missile system amongst other projects.^[62][176]

Under LAND 907 Phase 2 the M1A1 Abrams will be upgraded to the M1A2 through replacement. In January 2022, the government announced that the Army will acquire 75 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams and six M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles which will be delivered from 2024.^[44][65] Under Land 8160 Phase 1, the Army is reviving the Combat Engineering Vehicle capability lost with the Leopard tanks and will acquire twenty-nine M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles and seventeen M1074 Joint Assault Bridges to be delivered from 2024.^{[44][65][177]}

Aircraft

The Army is replacing its fleet of ARH Tiger attack and MRH-90 Taipan utility helicopters earlier than planned. The ARH Tiger was scheduled to receive a A$1–2 billion mid-life upgrade in the late 2010s and was planned to be operated into the 2030s.^[178][179] The 2016 Defence White Paper stated the Tiger would be replaced in the mid-2020s and cancelled the mid-life upgrade instead the Tiger is to receive a A$500–750 million upgrade.^{[179][180][181]} In January 2021, under LAND 4503 Phase 1 the government announced that the Army will purchase 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian to replace the 22 Tigers from 2025.^[104][182] In January 2014, the Army commenced retiring the fleet of 34 S-70A-9 Black Hawks from service and had planned for this to be completed by June 2018 to be replaced by 41 MRH-90 Taipans.^[183][184] The Chief of Army delayed the retirement of 22 Black Hawks until 2021 for the 6th Aviation Regiment due to issues operating the MRH-90 in a special operations role.^{[184][185][186]} On 10 December 2021, the Black Hawk was retired from service.^[187] On the same day, amid issues with the MRH-90 Taipans the Australian government announced that they would be replaced by UH-60M Black Hawks.^[187][188] The MRH-90 was planned to be retired in 2037.^[188] In August 2022, the US approved a Foreign Military Sale of 40 UH-60Ms to Australia.^[189] In January 2023, the Army announced under LAND4507 Phase 1 the acquisition of 40 UH-60Ms with deliveries commencing in 2023.^[190][191] In September 2023, the MRH-90 was retired from service earlier than originally planned following a fatal crash in July 2023 during Exercise Talisman Sabre in which four Australian Army aircrew lost their lives;^[192][193] this followed a previous, emergency ditching in March 2023, in waters off Jervis Bay due to an engine failure (likely caused by a software issue).^[194][195] The MRH-90 had been planned to be retired in December 2024.^[192] The first UH-60Ms were delivered in July 2023.^[107] In 2024, the Australian government announced that it would lease 5 H135T3 helicopters from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for five years to maintain "essential training requirements" for Army pilots.^[196][197] The helicopters designated Juno HT.1s in the UK will be based at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.^[197]

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

In May 2023, the Australian Defence Force ceased using Chinese made DJI drones because of security concerns.^{[198][199][200]} The Army had operated a fleet of DJI Phantom 4 drones since 2018.^[201] In January 2024, the Department of Defence's Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) established the "Sovereign UAS Challenge" awarding 11 Australian companies a total of A$1.2 million to develop prototype drones.^[202][203]

Watercraft

Under LAND 8710, the Army will replace its fleet of LCM-8s and LARC-Vs and also acquire two new types of watercraft.^[128] In Phase 1A, the LCM-8s will be replaced by the Landing Craft – Medium (LC-M) (previously referred to as the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium (LMV-M)).^[128][204] The Army will acquire 18 LC-M which will be steel-hulled and have the capability to carry 80 tonnes of payload over 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) at sea state 4 and full payload 500 nautical miles (930 km; 580 mi) while retaining 20% fuel reserves.^{[204][205][206][207]} In November 2023, the Birdon Group LC-M design was selected to be built by Austal.^[207][208] In Phase 1B, the LARC-Vs will be replaced by up to 18 LMV-As the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Amphibious (LMV-A).^[128][206]

In Phase 2, the Army will acquire the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Heavy (LMV-H) to be called Landing Craft - Heavy (LC-H).^{[204][128][209]} The LC-M and LMV-A were to enter service from 2026.^[210] The Defence Strategic Review released in April 2023 recommended that the acquisition of the LC-M, the LMV-A and the LC-H be accelerated and expanded.^[145] In November 2024 it was announced that the Damen Groups LST100 was chosen to fulfil this program.^[211] These eight vessels would built under a joint program between Damen and Austal Australia's Henderson Shipyard with construction commencing in 2026.^[212][213]

In Phase 3, the Army will acquire an armed Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Patrol (LMV-P).^{[128][209][140][214]}

Summary

This list includes equipment currently on order or a requirement which has been identified:

• LAND 4503 Phase 1 replacement program is set to replace the Tiger ARH helicopter with the Boeing AH-64E Guardian helicopter.^[104][215]
• LAND 19 Phase 7B replacement program is set to replace the RBS-70 Short Range Ground Based Air Defence system with the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS).^[102][168]
• LAND 4100 Phase 2 will acquire a deployable land-based anti-ship missile capability.^{[168][216][145]}
• LAND 121 Phase 4 will acquire 1,100 Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicles–Light (PMV-L).^[128][217]
• The Bushmaster PMV in the 2016 Defence White Paper is to be replaced beginning in 2025 by a new platform.^[140]
• LAND 400 Phase 2 replacement program is set to replace the existing 257 ASLAVs with 211 Boxers.^[218]
• LAND 400 Phase 3 replacement program is set to replace 431 M113AS3/4 APCs with 129 Redback (IFVs)
• LAND 907 Phase 2 replacement program is set to replace 59 M1A1 Abrams with 75 of the M1A2 SEPv3 variants.^[44][219]
• LAND 8113 will acquire 42 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).^{[152][140][141]}
• LAND 8710 Phase 1A replacement program is set to replace the LCM-8 with the Landing Craft – Medium (LC-M).^[128]
• LAND 8710 Phase 1B replacement program is set to replace the LARC-V with the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Amphibious.^[128]
• LAND 8710 Phase 2 will acquire the Landing Craft - Heavy (LC-H).^[128][209]
• LAND 8710 Phase 3 will acquire the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Patrol.^[128][209]
• The Army has outlined in the 2016 Defence White Paper a need for enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. With this, they plan to acquire a fleet of armed, medium-range unmanned aerial vehicles along with regular capability updates. They will provide enhanced firepower and ISR as well as a counter-terrorism ability overseas. They will also assist in humanitarian and relief missions.^[140]
• LAND 8116 Phase 1 will acquire AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzers.^[152][148]
• LAND 4507 Phase 1 replacement program is set to replace the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter with the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.^[190][191]