MEET Australia’s next assault rifle: The EF88 Austeyr. With 30,000 due to be delivered next year, we’ll soon be seeing a lot more of them.

Defence think-tank IHS Janes reports a $100 million contract with Thales to secure the new weapon for the Australian Defence Force will be signed later this month.

It reports a Department of Defence source as saying the project received approval from Defence Minister Kevin Andrews on Monday.

Essentially, the gun represents an evolution of the weapon that has served Australia since the 1980s.

News_Image_File: Top shot ... Private Scott Burke from the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment tests the new Grenade Launcher Attachment (GLA) on an EF88 Austeyr weapon. Source: Defence.

Designated EF88 (The “E” is for “enhanced”), the 5.56mm rifles have been redesigned to improve their ease of use as well improving the range of devices which can be attached to it.

This includes a new grip, an SL40 grenade launcher and an improved daylight sight.

They will be manufactured in Lithgow, New South Wales.

A batch of the weapon has already been delivered to the Royal Australian Regiment for assessment.

News_Image_File: Up close and personal ... The EF88 Austeyr weapon being trialled by Soldiers from the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Darwin. Source: DefenceNews_Rich_Media: Cutting edge weapons. Following the incredible mission to get Osama Bin Laden, Special Ops reveals the shocking intensity of Seal Team 6 training.