Modern weapons of the Irish Army

This is a list of some of the modern weapons of the Irish Army. The Army Ranger Wing have access to a wide variety of specialist weapons for use in green and black operations role.

Small arms

• Steyr AUG - The Steyr is the Defence Force's standard service rifle. Introduced in 1988, it is now in use with all service branches and Army Corps. As of 2012, is to undergo a revamp to bring it into line with assault rifles used by militaries like those of the United Kingdom and the United States. Projected enhancements include a better sighting system called a Combat Optical Weapon Sight (COWS), a 40mm grenade launcher attachment, and a thermal sight allowing for better operation in the dark.
• General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) - The FN MAG entered service in 1964 with the Defence Forces and is in use with all service branches and a number of Army Corps. Known as the MAG by Irish troops it is used both with its bipod or in the sustained fire (SF) role mounted on a tripod by the Infantry. Both the Infantry and Cavalry use the MAG mounted on its armoured vehicles and the Infantry and Artillery use it in the air defense role. The MAG is used on some ships in the Naval Service and aircraft of the Air Corps.

• .5 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) - Known as the .5 by Irish troops the Heavy Machine Gun first entered service in the 1970s. It is in use with all service branches and a number of Army Corps. The Infantry use it in the sustained fire role, air defense role and mounted on its MOWAG APCs. The Artillery use it in the air defense role and the Cavalry use it mounted on its armoured vehicles. The .5 is used on the ships of the Naval Service and aircraft of the Air Corps.

Army parade (march past) with Steyr AUG service rifles in service dress

• M203 Grenade Launcher - The 203 is in use in Infantry Section. It is permanently attached to the Steyr with a separate sighting and trigger mechanism.

• 60mm Mortar - Called the 60, it entered service in 2003 with the Infantry. The 60 can also be fired in a commando role by removing the bipod and baseplate and fitting a special small baseplate and attaching sighting unit/handgrip.

• 81 mm Mortar - The 81 uses the C2 AI Sight Unit and together with the Morfire Fire Control Computer and ammunition make this among the most modern and accurate mortars anywhere in the world.

• Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon (SRAAW) - Introduced into the Army in 1997 the SRAAW is a recoilless, preloaded disposable weapon.

• 84mm Anti-Armour Weapon - The 84 is a recoilless, breach loaded anti-armour weapon.

• Javelin - The Javelin is a fire-and-forget anti-armour weapon system that entered service with the Army in 2003.

• AI 96 Sniper Rifle - The AI 96 Sniper Rifle entered service with the Army in 1992.

• Heckler & Koch USP 9mm service pistol, in use by officers and in other specialist roles.

• FN FAL - Previously a standard issue weapon, the army has upgraded older FAL rifles into sniper support weapons.^{[citation needed]}

Artillery capabilities

• 24 L118 & L119 105mm Howitzers (main artillery support weapon)
• 81mm mortar (infantry support company's)
• 71 Brandt 120mm heavy mortar

Air defence systems

• RBS-70 Surface to Air Missile system
• 32 Bofors EL-70 40mm Air defence Gun
• Browning .50 on Cobra mount (air defence role)

See also

• Irish Army
• Modern vehicles of the Irish Army
• Modern Irish Army uniform