List of individual weapons of the New Zealand Defence Force explained

The following are lists of individual weapons used by the New Zealand Defence Force.

Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles

Currently In service

!Name!Origin!Type!Calibre!image!Details
Lewis Machine and Tool MARS-LAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOAdopted in 2015 to replace the Steyr AUG as the standard service rifle of the New Zealand Army. This weapon comes in 2 different barrel lengths and can take many modular attachments hence the name given by the NZDF to this rifle the Modular Assault Rifle System - Light (this is the same with LMT's own MARS-L, but is referred as the Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System - Light instead for its US civilian models). The rifle is generally equipped with the Trijicon ACOG scope with an RMR red dot mounted on top. Most recent design upgrade with enhanced features based on the AR-15/M4/M-16 family of firearms. Equipped with M7 bayonet.
Lewis Machine and Tool 308 MWSDesignated marksman rifle, Sniper rifle7.62x51mm NATOThe New Zealand Army adopted the rifle in October 2011. It differs from its UK counterpart in the use of a Leupold adjustable 4.5-14× scope, canted iron sights and a foldable foregrip. [1]
Barrett MRADBolt action sniper rifle7.62x51mm NATO.338 Lapua MagnumIntroduced in 2018 to replace the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare 7.62×51mm bolt action sniper rifle.[2] Equipped with an ATACR 5-25×56 F1 Nightforce scope. Dual calibre configuration with 7.62×51mm NATO for training and .338 Lapua Magnum for operations.[3]
Barrett M107A1Anti-materiel sniper rifle12.7×99mm NATOA semi-automatic sniper and anti-materiel rifle chambered in .50 BMG.[4] [5]
M4 carbineAssault rifle, Carbine5.56×45mm NATOUsed by New Zealand Special Air Service.[6] [7] [8]
Retired
NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails
Steyr AUG F88 AusteyrBullpup assault rifle5.56×45mm NATORetired Assault Rifle That Is Replaced By LMT Mars L
Accuracy International Arctic WarfareBolt action sniper rifle7.62x51mm NATORetired Sniper Rifle Replaced By Barrett MRAD
Accuracy International AW50FAnti-materiel sniper rifle12.7×99mm NATO
M16A1Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO
Battle rifle7.62x51mm NATO
Bolt action sniper rifle7.62x51mm NATO
Rifle .22 No 8 Mk IBolt-action cadet rifle.22LR
Boys anti-tank rifleAnti-tank rifle.55 Boys[9]
Lee–Enfield
  • New Zealand Carbine
  • No. 1 Mk III
  • No. 4 Mk I
  • No. 4 MK II
Bolt action service rifle.303 BritishStill used for commemorative purposes.
Ross Mk III CanadaBolt action service rifle.303 British
Pattern 1914 EnfieldBolt action service rifle.303 British
Lee-Metford
  • Mk I
  • Mk I*
  • Mk II
Bolt action service rifle.303 British
Martini-Henry and carbine variantsMartini-EnfieldBreech-loading single-shot lever-actuated rifle.577/450 Martini–Henry.303 BritishCarbine still used by Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles Colour Guard
M1885 Remington–LeeBolt action service rifle.43 SpanishIntroduced 1887, Withdrawn 1888
Snider–EnfieldBreech-loading rifle.577 Snider

Sidearms

In service

Retired
NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails
SIG Sauer P226Semi-automatic pistol9x19mm Parabellum
FN Browning Hi-Power No. 2 Mk ISemi-automatic pistol9x19mm Parabellum
M1911Semi-automatic pistol.45 ACP
Revolver.38 S&WVictory Model
Enfield No. 2Revolver.38 S&W
Webley Revolver
  • Mk I
  • Mk VI
Revolver.442 Webley.455 Webley

Shotguns

In service

Retired
NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails
Browning Auto-5semi-automatic shotgun
Remington Model 870pump-action shotgun

Submachine guns

In service

Retired
NameOriginCalibreImageDetails
Sterling L2A1 & L2A39×19mm Parabellum
Sterling L34A19×19mm Parabellum
Owen gun9×19mm Parabellum
Sten
  • Mk 2
  • Mk 5
9×19mm Parabellum
Thompson
  • M1928
  • M1928A1
.45 ACP
9×19mm Parabellum

Machine guns

Currently In Service

NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails
FN MAG (MAG 58)General-purpose machine gun7.62x51mm NATO
FN MinimiLight machine gun7.62x51mm NATO[10]
M2 BrowningHeavy machine gun12.7×99mm NATO
Retired
NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails
C9 Minimi C9 5.56mmlight machine gun5.56×45mm NATO
L43A1Ranging machine gun7.62x51mm NATOUsed as a ranging gun on the FV101 Scorpion
L7General-purpose machine gun7.62x51mm NATO
M60General-purpose machine gun7.62x51mm NATO
L2A1light machine gun7.62x51mm NATO
light machine gun7.62x51mm NATO
M1919 Browning
  • L3A3
  • L3A3E1
  • L3A4
Medium machine gun.30-06 Springfield
Bren gunlight machine gun.303 British
Charlton Automatic Riflelight machine gun.303 British
light machine gun.303 British
Lewis gunlight machine gun.303 British
Besa machine gunTank-mounted medium machine gun7.92mm
Vickers gunMedium machine gun.303 British

Grenade launchers

Current

NameOriginTypeCalibreDetails
RM M203PIUnder-barrel grenade launcher40mm grenadeUsed on Steyr AUG and LMT MARS-L rifles
Heckler & Koch GMGAutomatic grenade launcher40mm grenade
Retired
NameOriginTypeCalibreDetails
M203Under-barrel grenade launcher40mm grenadeUsed on M16A1 rifles
M79Handheld grenade launcher40mm grenade

Mortar

Current

NameOriginCalibreDetails
M6C-640T60mm mortar
L16A281mm mortar
Retired
NameOriginCalibreDetails
Ordnance SBML two-inch mortar2 inch (50.8 mm) mortar
Ordnance ML 4.2 inch Mortar4.2 inch (110 mm) mortar

Anti-armour

Current

NameOriginTypeCalibreDetails
FGM-148 JavelinAnti-tank guided missile127 mm
SRAAW M72Anti-tank rocket launcher66 mm
Carl Gustaf M3Recoilless rifle84 mm
Retired
NameOriginTypeCalibreDetails
Carl Gustaf L14A1Recoilless rifle84 mm
M40 106-mm recoilless rifleRecoilless rifle105 mm
Recoilless rifle120 mm
BAT L4 MORBAT
BAT L6 WOMBAT
Anti-Tank Grenade No 94 EnergraAnti-tank rifle grenade75 mm
M20 Mk II "Super Bazooka"Anti-tank rocket launcher3.5 inch
Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank (PIAT)Anti-tank grenade launcher

Anti-personnel

Current

NameOriginTypeDetails
M18A1 ClaymoreAnti-personnel mine
M67 Fragmentation hand grenadeFragmentation grenade
Retired

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Firepower. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161021040217/http://www.army.mil.nz/our-capability/firepower/default.htm#. 2016-10-21. army.mil.nz/. 10 Oct 2016.
  2. New Weapons for Snipers and Special Forces. New Zealand Army News. October 2017. 487. 1170-4411. 4–5. https://web.archive.org/web/20200116225610/http://army.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/army-news/armynews487.pdf . 16 January 2020. dead.
  3. New Sniper Rifle for the NZ Army. Television production . 22 November 2017. New Zealand Defence Force. YouTube. 16 September 2021.
  4. Web site: Davis. Sgt Mick. 5 December 2013. Snipers Hit the Mark: Snipers get fired up at SASR concentration in WA. Army (News). Directorate of Defence News. 11. 23 December 2013.
  5. Web site: Force. New Zealand Defence. 18 October 2017. Defence Force buying two new weapons.
  6. Web site: Unofficial New Zealand Special Air Service page. 2009-03-25.
  7. News: 1 February 2009. Split second decisions: police rules of engagement. The Sunday Star-Times. 15 October 2011.
  8. Web site: Replacement due for police rifles. New Zealand Police. 19 May 2005. 8 March 2016.
  9. Book: Fenton. Damien Marc. A False Sense of Security: The Force Structure of the NZ Armt 1946-1978. Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington. 0475201035. New Zealand.
  10. Web site: New Zealand Switches from 5.56mm to 7.62mm FN Herstal Minimi Light Machine Gun . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160914082200/http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/02/10/new-zealand-switches-from-5-56mm-to-7-62mm-fn-herstal-minimi-light-machine-gun/# . 2016-09-14 . 10 Oct 2016 . thefirearmblog.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of individual weapons of the New Zealand Defence Force".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.