East timorese military,s small arms

[jango]

In 1999 east timor became a nation. Since then Australia and other countrys have help to train and equipt it's military. I know that that are using the american M16 rifle and other US weapons.

Being that they are so close to australia why diden't they adopt the F88 Styr? I would have thought this would have been a better choice or are they getting M16's that are made in australia with the agreement of the america's .

[digrar]

Timor Leste didn't become a nation until 2002.
Weapons have been donated, beggars can't be choosers, they were given M16's, so they use M16s.

[kutter]

I read this from an issue of 'Combat and Survival' (sorry I forgot which one, left them at my parents house) but I do recall that initial weapons training was conducted with M-16A1s from Australian stock. When it came to actually standardizing on small arms the Americans sold them(yes sold, not donated) quantities of M-16A2s, Minimis, and 1911s.

I'm sure the reason for adopting U.S. weapons as opposed to the F88 was due to costs. The Aussies most likely don't have lots of F88s available while the American have probably had large numbers of small arms sitting around they could sell relatively cheap.

[digrar]

I'd believe Janes over Combat and Survival.

[mladina]

All about East Timor weaponry is on this link

http://worldinventory.googlepages.com/wiw_as_easttimor