11 Sep 2013

Defence Force eyeing new guns

12:09 am on 11 September 2013

The Defence Force says it's looking to replace its standard-issue gun, which is near the end of its useful life.

The Ministry of Defence has called for tenders to replace more than 13,000 ageing Steyr rifles, which members of the army, navy and airforce have carried since the 1980s.

The ministry says the rifles are coming to the end of their economic life, and no longer fully meet the defence force's operational needs.

It says if the Government aproves the purchase, new weapons would be phased in between next year and 2018.