Current Australian Army Equipment

Infantry Weapons

F88 Steyr - the F88 is the Australian Army's standard personal rifle, replacing both the L1A1 SLR and the M-16 from front-line service in the late 1980's. It fires the NATO standard 5.56mm ammunition. The F88 is the standard version, F88c is a carbine with a short barrel, and F88s can be fitted with a variety of sights. The F88 is also manufactured under licence in Australia by Australian Defence Industries (ADI) Limited.

M4 Carbine - the M4 Carbine is used by the SASR and commando battalions.

F89 Minimi - the F89 is coming into use as the Army's standard LSW, replacing the M60 GPMG. The F89 is also manufactured under licence in Australia by ADI Limited.

FN MAG 58 - the MAG 58 is the official general purpose machine gun of the Australian Army, replacing the M-60 GPMG from the role.

Accuracy International AW sniper rifle - the Accuracy International AW sniper rifle is the standard-issue sniper rifle in the Australian Army today. The rifle replaced the Parker-Hale Model 82 sniper rifle in the late 1990's. The AW sniper rifle is officially known as the SR-98 in Australian Army service and is manufactured under licence in Australia by ADI Limited.

Browning Hi-Power pistol - the Browning Hi-Power pistol is the standard-issue service pistol of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

M252 mortar - the M252 is the army's 81mm mortar.

M72 Light Armour Weapon - the M72 is a 66mm one shot anti-tank weapon.

84mm Carl Gustav Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon (MRAAW) - the Carl Gustav is a recoilless rifle primarily used in the anti-armour role.

Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) - the Javelin is a long-range, guided anti-armour missile.

M18A1 Claymore mine - the Claymore is a command-detonated anti-personnel mine.

Armoured Vehicles

Leopard 1 MBT - The Australian Army operates a total of 71 Leopard AS1 main battle tanks, equipped with a 105mm rifled gun. These are in the process of being replaced by 59 M1 Abrams.


ASLAV - The Army operates 255 ASLAV vehicles, in a variety of roles including formation reconnaissance, as an infantry fighting vehicle, armoured ambulance, recovery vehicle.


M113 - The Army also has 700 M113 vehicles, which are used in the armoured reconnaissance and armoured personnel carrier roles, primarily by the Army Reserve, as well as by the Army's single battalion of mechanised infantry.

Bushmaster - The Army has ordered a total of 289 Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles, with deliveries beginning in mid 2005. The Bushmasters will primarily be used to motorise the 7th Brigade though B Squadron, 3/4 Cavalry Regiment will also operate the lightly armoured vehicles in support of the 3rd Brigade.

Artillery

M198 howitzer - The M198 is the army's main large artillery piece

L118 Field Gun - The 105mm field gun is the army's primary artillery support weapon.

Sams

Rapier - Rapier was the army's main Low Level Air Defence equipment, but is now being retired and replaced by additional RBS-70 systems.

RBS-70 - The RBS-70 is a man portable SAM system, and is set to be the only SAM system in the Australian Army upon retirement of Rapier. More sophisticated Bolide missiles have now been purchased.

Rotorcraft

UH-60 Blackhawk - The Blackhawk is the army's primary medium lift/assault helicopter.
CH-47 Chinook - The army operates 6 Chinooks in the heavy lift role.
UH-1 Iroquois - The Iroquois is used as a utility helicopter operated by the army.
OH-58 Kiowa - The Kiowa is utilised in the reconnaissance and battlefield surveillance role.The Kiowa is being replaced by the Tiger Armed Reconnaissace Helicopter.


Chinook, Blackhawk and Tiger Helicopters

Future

Armoured Vehicles
The army has purchased 59 M1 Abrams tanks to replace the Leopard 1 and 7 M88 Hercules II armoured recovery vehicles. In addition, a further 144 ASLAV vehicles of all types will be delivered, while 299 of the new Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles will also be delivered (including a small number for the RAAF).

Artillery
The Land 17 project has been initiated to choose replacements for the army's 155mm and 105mm artillery.

Aircraft
The army is reorganising its army aviation, through the purchase of 22 Tiger attack helicopters, and 12 NH-90 utility helicopters.
In addition, the army will also acquire a number of UAVs (both the Skylark and I-View 250 have been purchased) for a new surveillance and target acquisition regiment being formed in the Royal Australian Artillery.


Basically if Australia gets invaded. We are screwed. I will be launching Guerilla style attacks on the occupying army. I will have to hide out in the bush and form a resistance group.

no mercy with abrams buyers...

but at least they bought some tigers

You say at least they bought the Tiger like its a good thing.
Tiger = Untested in war
Apache = Needs lots of ground support
The best combat helicopter in the world is the Ah-1 Cobra.
Its tried tested and reliable and affordable and can operate away from base happily.
The only reason Israeli Apache's performed well is because they had the advantage of operating from home base.

Trust me, if we build anything we test it over years in all climate zones

Tiger is also perfect for australia cause he has tech similar to longbow and twice range of the apache

Originally Posted by GER_Mark

Trust me, if we build anything we test it over years in all climate zones

Tiger is also perfect for australia cause he has tech similar to longbow and twice range of the apache

With a total military of just over 50,000 army ,navy, and airforce included.
Tigers aren't much point with out the rest of the military being effective

only 70 Fa-18's

only 22 F-111's

only 24 Tigers

only 59 M1a1's

Only shoulder launched Sams

Im sad to say that Australian military is too small to be an effective defence.
Our navy is great but still we need alot more funding and much larger numbers.
Australia needs to expand its spending. Indonesia could take Australia in a few days if they wanted to.

[Hellas]

With no significant military threats, why should the Australian government pump large sums of money into the military? Indonesia would never start a war with Australia.

you never know what about if their population becomes so high they need more ground and resources

[Hellas]

Very true, with a population of 241,973,879 which is the 4th largest in the world I guess it would be feasible, but to the best of my understanding their relations are solid, and I really cannot see them standing up to the scrutiny that they would face over this action. Realistically I can only see minor territory and resources problems in the Timor Sea and Arafura Sea.

Originally Posted by Hellas

With no significant military threats, why should the Australian government pump large sums of money into the military? Indonesia would never start a war with Australia.

They don't "pump large sums of money into the military".

Thats right we dont pump large sums of money into the military
And Indonesia and Australia hardly have solid relations
There were several gun battles between Australian soldiers and Indonesian soldiers in East Timor in 99
Indonesia and Australian relations are at their biggest low since the East Timor campaign

Australia's military is too small for the size of the country and their strategic position.

[Hellas]

Originally Posted by Shohad

They don't "pump large sums of money into the military".

I think you misunderstood; it was more of a question then a statement about placing more money into the military. But after “Attitude” posting the situation with Indonesia, I agree they should concentrate on their national security issues

Other things straining relations between Indonesia and Australia is the Handling of the Bali Bombing case, the Chappelle Corby, Michelle Lesley and Bali 9 drug incidents.
Australian embessey in Jakarta was attacked by a Truck bomb last year.
Indonesian fishing boats keep getting caught in our waters catching protected species
They are arrested when caught and taken on Navy ships. The navy then sinks their fishing boats and bills them for the ammunition used to sink it.

[Hellas]

good 2 know... i love the fact that the bill them after.

New version of the Steyr