Australian Army Training on New F9 Pistol

Instructors belonging to the Australian Army’s Gallipoli Barracks-based 7th Brigade concluded a week-long train-the-trainer course this March at Amberley, where they learned to qualify others on the new F9 Sidearm Weapon System (F9 SWS).

The conversion training consists of introductory web-based ADELE lessons, dry manual handling drills, simulated firing using Defence’s Weapon Training Simulation System (WTSS) and “train the battle shot” live fire on a range. F9 SWS training integrates aspects such as combat mindset, shooting techniques and qualifications on all equipment in one course.

The F9 SWS is based on the SIG Sauer 9mm P320 X-Carry Pro, featuring a Romeo 2 red dot sight, a white light torch, holster and retractable lanyard. It replaces the army’s long-serving Browning Mk3 9mm pistol. The F9 SWS is provided by Queensland-based NIOA Group, supported by Victorian suppliers Aquaterro and Platatac, bringing together products from five major suppliers.

The next-generation service pistol also features additional equipment, including a simulation pistol for the Weapon Training Simulation System (WTSS), a paint marking round conversion kit and red coloured weighted replica for use as part of Army Combative Programme (ACP) training.

The Gallipoli Barracks-based 7th Brigade is the first operational army unit to be equipped with the new F9 SWS. The new 9mm pistol was successful fielding to Army’s School of Infantry in December 2024, followed by the roll-out of the first F9 pistols to operational units of 7th Brigade in February.

In early March, a week-long train-the-trainer course was held at Amberley, where participants learned to qualify others on the F9 SWS. “The first thing you notice is that you are employing a system as opposed to simply a weapon,” Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Mark Biviano, of the Combined Arms Training Centre said in a Defence release.

One of the personnel trained in early March on the new F9 SWS was Air Force Warrant Officer Brett Moy, Combat Support Group lead for the F9 rollout and training to RAAF. “You don’t just fire 10 rounds and tick a box anymore – you’ve got to display through application you can apply the skills required to achieve the grouping and alignment standards,” Warrant Officer Moy said.

The WTSS is now a key part of the training, allowing participants to progress through theory, drills and simulation before live-fire. “There is a lot of application and reinforcement before you actually go on to the range,” Warrant Officer Moy said.