Infantry: July 12, 2000

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The Australian Army has ordered 3,167 new 40mm under barrel grenade launchers to be fitted to its F88 assault rifles (which are Austrian Styer AUGs). The new grenade launchers are modified and Product Improved versions of the M203 grenade launchers which are found under the barrels of some US M16 rifles. The Australian Army used M203s when it used M16s, and the grenadiers in rifle squads still carry M16/M203s until the new grenade launchers arrive. A bullpup type, the F88 is much shorter than the M16, and the grenade launcher is fixed at the point of the Styer AUG's forward grip.--Stephen V Cole