CANBERRA -- The Australian government has approved the first stage of a multi-billion dollar investment in cutting-edge equipment for Australia’s Special Forces.
Project Greyfin will give $3 billion to Special Forces over 20 years so they better respond to threats, including terrorism.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with 2nd Commando Regiment soldiers for lunch in Sydney and watched several training demonstrations showcasing the unit's counter-terrorism skills.
"We’re ensuring the men and women in our special forces have the equipment and training they need to succeed in their operations," Prime Minister Morrison said.
"Australian special forces undertake complex, highly demanding operations in high-threat environments.
The Defence Minister, Linda Reynolds, said Project Greyfin will ensure Special Forces have the best body armor and weapons. It will also give them advanced diving, parachuting, roping and climbing systems and other capabilities to ensure Australia’s security.
"Our special forces, now more than ever, need to be ready and able to deploy on operations anywhere in the world, at short notice, and in very uncertain conditions," Minister Reynolds said.
"This first stage of funding enables our special forces to engage with intelligence, science and technology, and innovation organizations to ensure future threats and opportunities are assessed, to make sure we are delivering them the capability they need in the future."