Victoria Police special operations, critical incident teams get new guns

VICTORIA’S crack police squads have rearmed with new machine guns, which fire supersonic rounds, to counter terrorist attacks.

Victoria’s crack police squads have rearmed with new machine guns, which fire supersonic rounds, to counter terrorist attacks. Picture: Tony Gough.

VICTORIA’S crack police squads have rearmed with new machine guns, which fire supersonic rounds, to counter terrorist attacks.

The Sunday Herald Sun has learned the force is taking final delivery of more than 200 German-made SIG Sauer machine guns fitted with silencers.

The elite Special Operations Group and the Critical Incident Response Team are adding the firearms to their arsenal as our front line against terror.

The guns will fire a cartridge dubbed the “300 Blackout”, described as “devastating’’ at short range.

It is understood the arrival of the SIG Sauer will be followed by the rollout of more firearms as the force moves to meet the increased challenge of criminals with more lethal weaponry.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has a team of experts led by Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp researching large-calibre “rapid fire’’ guns for general-duties officers.

The force would not elaborate on any weapons upgrade, but did confirm the elite squads were retooling.

“As part of a standard process to replace specialist equipment that has reached the end of its life, the Special Operations Group and Critical Incident Response Team have recently received, or will shortly be receiving, new equipment,” Victoria Police spokeswoman Lisa Beechey said.

“This is part of a replacement project funded under the government’s public safety package announced last year.’’

The deal to buy the new armoury for the Special Operations Group was secretly signed off in 2016, with each SIG Sauer gun costing $1700.

It is understood the 300 Blackout bullet costs four times the price of an average round, at $2 a cartridge, and shells cannot be re-used.

The new weapons were chosen ­following the Lindt cafe terrorism siege in Sydney in which lawyer Katrina Dawson was killed by a police bullet that ricocheted.

The SIG Sauer will be configured to fire the 300 Blackout cartridge.

The new gun and bullet replaces the outdated M4 carbine machine gun used by the Special Operations Group, which is also ditching the widely used .556 calibre round.

The new gun will also replace the outdated HK-Universal Machine Pistol used by the Critical Incident Response Team.

Police Minister Lisa Neville has said the state government would provide police with adequate equipment.

“We have been very clear that we will give Victoria Police the resources and powers they need to keep Victorians safe,” she said.

“This has not changed.

“We provide Victoria Police with funding each year for firearm purchase and maintenance. This budget enables them to determine what firearms are appropriate.

“Decisions on what sort of firearms and equipment police need is made by experts who understand the operational environment and what is necessary to ensure Victorians are safe.”

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