Thread: Australian Army's new rifle being sold to American civilians

Originally Posted by PhilipA

I guess I am a bit sensitive about pressure to stop exporting anything that can kill people as I was directly involved at one stage.

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It has all gone a bit crazy these days. Most work I do needs to be checked for compliance with the Defence trade controls act (even though it is unrelated to defence) . When I get software or equipment I have to sign forms saying I won't onsell it to the middle east or use it to design weapons.
I have a guy I am trying to recruit (best applicant out of over 50 people) from overseas. He went to a "military university", so the government have been processing his visa for 9 months.

Looks like they have made some decent changes and actually listened to feedback. It's always a touchy subject with supplying arms, IMHO I think small arms to a legitimate nation is fine but seems to be politically hypocritical with today's government.

Originally Posted by squizzyhunter

Looks like they have made some decent changes and actually listened to feedback. It's always a touchy subject with supplying arms, IMHO I think small arms to a legitimate nation is fine but seems to be politically hypocritical with today's government.

Supplying arms is a can of worms. Every one does it, the Americans supplied the Taliban, against the Russians,there are examples throughout history. The biggest danger, IMO, is that the arms would end up in the hands of a third party, either by design, or accident. Separatist groups from New Guinea or Bouganville, or even Timor Leste, are some close at hand. But I'm sure the Authorities have that covered.

Originally Posted by bob10

I'm surprised as Army you didn't pay more attention to detail. The weapon posted is called the EF88 in Australian military service. It is manufactured by THALES, the arms company that took over Lithgow Small Arms factory. They call it the F90. It has an automatic function, improved ammunition, state of the art sights, I can't verify the accuracy, I've never fired it. The long barrel is 20 inches long, as explained, the bullpup design allows a short rifle with a longish barrel. I've heard the arguments for a heavier round [ 7.62] regarding hitting power, and range, and they have their merits. As for exporting, THALES is a private International company, and can export their products , just like any other company. As long as there are no restrictions in place. I may not think it ethical, but that's just my opinion, and opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one. Any way, don't take my word for it. There is a reasonable article here, page 31

https://issuu.com/contactpublishing/docs/contact47

Ah Bob, as I stated, not my thing... yes F88 was the original designation to the Styer.. I played with one, before they where issued. Plastic fantastic compared with the steel barreled ones built at Lithgow. 16 inch plastic barrel could handle treatment like nothing else I've seen, why did gov put steel on then? nice toy in urban war fare.. great, but I am not a soldier no more.. I couldnt give a hoot about military style weapons that are basically a limited look alike... If others want them, there choice.. It would be nice to have a functioning leopard tank sitting in the paddock and go to town with, parking problems solved then...

Exporting them is the only solution as our gov seem to think its bad to have guns so we take the ones that few own, and destroy. The ones that keep people happy on weekends, destroyed... They even took kids toys away in recent times. And apparently its illegal to have a lackyband gun, now..

Next will be 4wd, as they destroy nature and kill city people..

Over controlled society, leads to anger, violence and over regulation eventually turning into civil war and destroying the whole of society. But what would I know?

Originally Posted by Wraithe

Ah Bob, as I stated, not my thing... yes F88 was the original designation to the Styer.. I played with one, before they where issued. Plastic fantastic compared with the steel barreled ones built at Lithgow. 16 inch plastic barrel could handle treatment like nothing else I've seen, why did gov put steel on then? nice toy in urban war fare.. great, but I am not a soldier no more.. I couldnt give a hoot about military style weapons that are basically a limited look alike... If others want them, there choice.. It would be nice to have a functioning leopard tank sitting in the paddock and go to town with, parking problems solved then...

Exporting them is the only solution as our gov seem to think its bad to have guns so we take the ones that few own, and destroy. The ones that keep people happy on weekends, destroyed... They even took kids toys away in recent times. And apparently its illegal to have a lackyband gun, now..

Next will be 4wd, as they destroy nature and kill city people..

Over controlled society, leads to anger, violence and over regulation eventually turning into civil war and destroying the whole of society. But what would I know?

Yep and would`nt all those cyclist`s and pedestrians just love it with out those big bull bar clad gear crunching fwd`s to run them over in the city
Look what happened in France not too long ago with that Turkey in the truck .
Where is it going to stop with all these happy tree hugger`s wanting to ban everything because someone might flip or have a different motive and hurt one or more people .
Look im all for strict controls on firearm licencing which we already have in place in Australia so really no needed here but the states needs a shake up .

Originally Posted by Wraithe

Over controlled society, leads to anger, violence and over regulation eventually turning into civil war and destroying the whole of society. But what would I know?

Yeah, I know mate. Sometimes when I look around it seems the World is going to hell in a hand basket. But then I sit & quietly think about the positives in my life, turns out they outweigh the negatives. But it takes an effort to find them, sometimes. Worth the effort, though. One thing I've learned not to do , is to dwell on the past. Too many negatives. Look to the future, but live for today, is what I try to do. Works for me.

You two both hit the nail on the head...
Probably a case of getting old..

Ahh the past, what i'd give to be 21 again...

You mean your not 21? I thought to be a member of Aulro one of the qualifications was you had to be under 30