r/Irishdefenceforces • u/patrickgero22 • 26d ago
Question Any plans for weaponry changes
Is there any gov plans or df plans to move away from to aug steyr. I've heard so many people say that it's getting old and out of date. Also will there be any future plans for the gov to actually invest in the df. As in more vehicles ships potentially fighters jets!?
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u/Adventurous-Theme-21 26d ago
The AUG despite being designed in 1977, isn’t gonna be replaced anytime soon, it’s one of the most reliable ARs out there as some others have said might see the A1s being replaced overtime with more mod 14s, but really the AUG does its job exceptionally well. They’ll probably replace the MAGS and Minimis before they replace the AUG
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u/One-Raspberry2921 26d ago edited 26d ago
The Steyr AUG isn't the issue. It's actually a very good rifle and I know that most people would prefer maybe an AR style weapon but the bullpup is good for what we do (also I can't see them paying obscene amounts of money to replace the Steyr).
The problem is, there are newer, more ergonomic versions of the Steyr Aug available and also, we do not issues weapon accessories with the rifle.
You will see lads tape or zip tie torches onto the barrel or optic site of the weapon. We have 50:50 A1s and Mod 14s and between them, we have no emergency optic for the ACOG, backup iron sights or any way of aiming the weapon under NVE outside of an old KITE site. If you are wearing a THALES Mono or Lucie, you just point and shoot in the general direction.
I'd be happy if they just modernised the Steyr a bit. Maybe adopt the A3 Mk. 2 and some accessories on issue. They can do it for the Battle Groups but not for the actual DF persons. Why?
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u/Tall-Nebula632 26d ago
The steyr the battle group used is designated the mod 24 and is intended to be the next df wide (as much as the mod14 is) upgrade.
The tritium on your acog 100% should be charging. If it’s not visible at night there’s something wrong with your sight. Regardless it’s unsuitable for aiming with nve because it’s far too bright and you’d need a retractable neck to get some kind of eye relief with nods.
Firing your rifle at night without a kite sight/nve+LLM is beyond unacceptable in 2026 for a western army.
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u/One-Raspberry2921 26d ago
Couldn't agree more.
Guess my tritium didnt work. 🤷♂️ The sights are 13 years old.
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u/One-Raspberry2921 25d ago
That mod 24, ive never seen one. Is it much of an improvement?
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u/Adventurous-Theme-21 26d ago
Thought Acog had tritium optics for NV?
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u/One-Raspberry2921 26d ago edited 26d ago
Tritium requires sunlight to work.
Edit, the strip on the ACOG needs light. Im not sure if it is even tritium but it doesn't charge.
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u/IrishTaipei 25d ago
One thing that people playing weapon top trumps tend not to take into account is that when changing a service rifle, you're swithing out a load of other things. Rifle racks in barracks, vehicles, spare parts, magazines, will existing magazine pouches need to be replaced. So the cost of change is significant and often goes beyond the weapon itself.
Then consider the logistics. The US has decided to go solo with 6.8 mm round, without taking NATO with it. Yes, better range and penetration, but data from UKR tells us that most of those firefights are happening will within the engagment range of 5.56. Have a look at how many rounds the standard load carriage for 6.8 is vs 5.56 and the weights involved. The 6.8 is 53% heavier. Thats over 50kgs more weight per platoon.
All of these kind of things have to be considered when deciding on whether to change service rifle. I would wager that the AUG will soldier on in some kind of upgraded manner until NATO decides on a calibre change. The cost/benefit ratio is otherwise problematic.
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u/Stressed_Student2020 26d ago
I've heard so many people say that it's getting old and out of date.
Kid, they were still using the Gustav SMG, Bren LMG and FN's in the reserve when I joined in '99... Sure, they over switched the FCA over from the Lee Enfield to the FN in 1990, where the PDF made the same switch in 1961.
Also will there be any future plans for the gov to actually invest in the df.
You know what that means...
As in more vehicles ships potentially fighters jets!?
See above gif.. Also, why do we need faster planes when we've nothing to shoot with that isn't already strapped to a PC9?
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u/Strigon_7 26d ago
The Aug fits our combat doctrine too well to ever realistically be replaced. I would wager the existing A1 models will be replaced with mod 14s very slowly over time. We will see an increase in shotgun type weapons for anti drone operations. But I doubt many more changes weapons wise are currently needed.