Steyr EF88
Thales Australia · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2015
Also known as: Enhanced F88, EF88 Austeyr, Austeyr EF88
Overview
The Steyr EF88 (Enhanced F88) is an Australian bullpup assault rifle designed and produced by Thales Australia at the Lithgow arms facility in New South Wales. A comprehensive modernisation of the F88 Austeyr (the Australian licence-built Steyr AUG), the EF88 is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and operates via a short-stroke gas piston driving a rotating bolt. It is roughly 500 g lighter than the F88, with a rearward-shifted centre of gravity for faster target engagement, integrated Picatinny rails and a tri-rail forend for accessories, and a cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel for improved life and precision. It replaced the F88 as the standard service rifle of the Australian Defence Force.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3250 g (114.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 790 mm (31.10") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 940 m/s (3084 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2700 m (2953 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 740 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 228 mm (8.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety, Trigger Safety
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Chrome Lined Barrel, Integrated Picatinny Rail, Tri Rail Forend, Ambidextrous Operation, Quick Change Barrel
Variants
- Thales F90 — Export
- Thales F90 CQB — Carbine
- Thales F90M — Marksman
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Australian Defence Force · adopted 2015 · as EF88
- Australian Army · adopted 2015 · as EF88
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2015-2021)
Production
Production years: 2014-present
Low-rate initial production began at Lithgow in September 2014; first rifles issued to 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in June 2015 under Project Land 125 Phase 3C.
Origin
Country of origin: Australia
Designer: Thales Australia
Notes
Issued with a 30-round polymer magazine and commonly paired with an Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x dual-range optic. The EF88 forms the basis of the export-oriented F90 family. Quoted weight (3.25 kg) is for the standard 508 mm barrel configuration; a 407 mm carbine barrel is also fielded.
Background
Developed under Project Land 125 to address ergonomic and modularity limitations of the long-serving F88 Austeyr, the EF88 was designed to lighten the soldier's load while integrating modern optics and accessories. Its export sibling, the F90, has been marketed internationally, including to India as a close-quarters battle rifle.