Army Ground Display

The Steyr AUG A1 (Armee Universal Gewehr, meaning “Army Universal Rifle”) Assault rifle was introduced into service in the Defence Forces during 1988. The weapon has a calibre of 5.56mm which allows the soldier to carry twice as much ammunition as before and it utilises the “Bullpup” design in which the mechanism and magazine are located behind the trigger. This design increases the barrel length relative to the overall weapon length, thus permitting shorter weapons for the same barrel length. The smaller calibre 5.56mm cartridge became popular after international studies showed that soldiers rarely engage an enemy at ranges greater than 300 metres with small arms. This reduced the need for more powerful cartridges. The Steyr AUG A1 is manufactured in Austria by Steyr Daimler Puch and is the standard service rifle of Austria, Australia, New Zealand and Luxembourg. It is also issued to the U.S. Customs Service, and Philippines elite Scout Rangers among others.

Today the Defence Forces use the FN MAG (Fabrique Nationale Mitrailleuses  D’Appui General or machine gun of general purpose) 58 in the GPMG role. Its calibre is 7.62mm and has an effective range of 200 - 1800 metres. The MAG is a belt-fed, gas-operated light machine gun. It air-cooled and has a barrel designed for quick-change by its 2 man crew.

One key benefit of using the MAG is that it is extremely easy to maintain. In fact it can be disassembled in 10 seconds by an experienced soldier. This greatly enhances its reliability in the field. The General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) is normally mounted on a bipod, but it can be used in a sustained fire role, mounted on a tripod. The GPMG can also be seen mounted on the MOWAG armoured personnel carrier. The MAG is used by many nations worldwide and has served in conflicts from The Gulf War to the Falklands.

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  60 mm mortar

The Denel Vektor M1 60 mm mortar is designed for use by infantry units in all phases of battle. It is a smooth bore, muzzle loaded, high angle fire weapon. The Mortar is carried in a single unit, with three main assemblies, the barrel, bipod, and baseplate. Weighing only 17.8 Kg the mortar can be quickly and easily moved, ensuring support at all stages of action.

This mortar has a modern sight similar to the C2AI sight in use with the 81 mm mortar. This sight is also compatible with the Morfire fire control system also employed with the 81 mm mortar. The mortar can also be fired in a commando role by removing the bipod and baseplate and fitting a special special small baseplate and attaching sighting unit/handgrip. Planning range is extended to 2100 metres in the conventional role.

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  81 mm mortar

81 mm Light Mortar long barrel with the C2 AI Sight Unit and its ammunition, together with the Morfire Fire Control Computer make this equipment among the most modern and accurate in service anywhere in the world.

 

The sight unit and fire control instruments can achieve an accuracy of one mil both for direction and elevation. This accuracy can be maintained in environmental extremes and in periods of limited or reduced visibility. The use of laser range finders can increase the probability of a first or second round hit.

 

 

 

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The 84 mm anti-tank gun is a breach loaded and percussion fired weapon. There is no recoil as pressure is not built up in the barrel, but escapes backwards through the venturi. The gun can be fired in all positions; sitting, kneeling, standing, and prone.

A gun mount housed in the shoulder butt supports the gun in the lying position and it can be used as a stabilser against the chest in all other position and it can be used as a stabiliser against the chest in all other positions. Because the gun is recoilles, it is much lighter than a weapon with a conventional breech.

 

 

 

Apart from their use at home, the Mowag has seen service overseas in Eriteria (UNMEE), Kosovo (Kfor) and Liberia (UNMIL). Another 15 Mowags, nine close reconnaissance vehicles (CRV) and six medium reconnaissance vehicles (MRV) are on order (due 2007) and these will be deployed by the Cavalry Corps in a reconnaissance role.

B Company 3 Infantry Batallion based in the DFTC, Curragh Camp are tasked with the training of APC crews.

• Mowag Variants
• APC borne Infantry

This APC is designed to rapidly transport troops to the battlefield. Its armour protects the troops and
ensures their safe arrival in the most hazardous environments.

This variant has a capacity of 11 soldiers, including the:

•  Commander/Gunner
•  Driver
•  9 Infantry Soldiers

The command vehicle is deployed to support command and control on the battlefield by enabling
the rapid setup of a command center and providing protection to the commander and his staff.

This variant has a capacity of 7 soldiers, including the:

• Commander
• Driver
• Capacity for up to 5 HQ staff.

The Armoured Ambulance is tasked with removing injured soldiers from the battlefield. Its armour

 

protects the patient and medical staff and the vehicle holds a finite supply of medical equipment. Armoured Ambulances have no weapons mounted.

This variant has a capacity of 7 - 11 soldiers, including the:

The Armoured Recovery Vehicle was designed to repair/remove damaged or unserviceable Armoured vehicles from the battlefield. It holds a finite amount of spare parts and stores. Armoured Recovery Vehicles have no weapons mounted.

This variant has a crew of 3 soldiers, including the:

• Driver
• 2 Technicians