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Australian special envoy for Defence Luke Gosling has given his seal of approval for more than 3,500 Australian Combat Assault Rifles to be supplied to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
The special envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia travelled to Thales Australia’s manufacturing facility in Lithgow, NSW, to see the rifles first hand.
The government had previously pledged to supply 5.56mm Australian-made automatic rifles to the PNGDF as part of a larger $35 million defence aid package and PNG–Australia Mutual Defence Treaty announced late last year.
The PNGDF previously used similar standard configuration M16A2 assault rifles and even Australian-made L1A1 SLR rifles, compared to the Australian Defence Force’s 5.56mm NATO-chambered EF88 bullpup-style rifles.
“These rifles are an excellent example of sovereign industrial defence capability and our ability to make high-quality manufactured export goods right here in Australia,” according to Gosling, after touring the factory in Lithgow.
“The ACAR is a weapon developed by Thales and will be manufactured in Lithgow, NSW. Congratulations to Thales for being selected to supply 3,500 Australian Combat Assault Rifles to our alliance partner, Papua New Guinea.
“The supply of these rifles to the PNGDF is part of a larger $35 million defence aid package announced by the federal government in October last year.”
On the other side of politics, Liberal Party politician Phillip Thompson announced that he attended his first shadow cabinet meeting in the newly appointed role as shadow minister for defence industry and shadow minister for defence personnel.
“I’m proud to be part of a team focused on doing the hard yards, developing serious policy and earning back the confidence of Australians … It’s an honour I don’t take lightly,” he said in a public statement.
“I want to sincerely thank the people of Herbert for affording me this opportunity. Everything I do is grounded in representing you; your families, your businesses and our community.
“The Coalition has important work ahead. Rebuilding trust with the Australian people requires discipline, strong policy and a genuine commitment to listening. That work has already begun.”
