Rifles from a new $59 million weapons package have fired their first shots at Waiouru Military Camp.

The MARS-L rifle, bought to replace the old Steyr rifle, recently arrived in New Zealand and on Thursday a group of soldiers at Waiouru were among the first to train with them.

More than 9000 weapons are set to be rolled out throughout the New Zealand Defence Force as part of a $59m package, which includes the rifles, advanced optical sights, grenade launchers and support and simulation equipment.

Murray Wilson/ Fairfax NZ

Soldiers at Waiouru Military Camp train with the new MARS-L rifle, which will replace the Steyr rifle throughout the New Zealand Defence Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Aidan Shattock, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, said the first shipment of new rifles arrived in May.

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They would be rolled out across all three defence services, but 1st Battalion was on its way to being the first unit to use them in service.

Murray Wilson/ Fairfax NZ

Soldiers from 1st Battalion were among the first to train with the new rifles.

Shattock said each weapon could be personalised and adjusted to suit the individual, including becoming ambidextrous.

The Steyr rifles, purchased in 1985, were "at the end of their shelf life" and the new capabilities of the MARS-L, including a longer range and scope, made them better prepared for modern times.

"It links into what we are experiencing in Afghanistan, when we are trying to engage in those long ranges, being able to see is pretty important."

Shattock said soldiers were shooting targets from as far as 900 metres away, which would have almost been impossible with the Steyr.

"Before we knew the limits with the Steyr, so now it's understanding we can do a lot more with it.

"The Steyr has been really, really good and it's done us some really good service, but it's got old."

Looking after their equipment was important and Shattock said the first thing soldiers were taught was how to pull the rifle apart, put it back together and clean it.

He believed the new technology put them ahead of the game.

"This weapon system is a leading edge weapon system in the world.

"We have done extensive testing before purchasing."

It was Lance Corporal Byron Baremau's first day firing the MARS-L.

"So far, shooting it, it's nice to shoot, minimal kickback, which is something we look for in a rifle."

Having used the Steyr, Baremau said the training sessions were more about changing their muscle memory from the old rifle to the new.

The detachable grenade launcher was a great feature, as was the ambidextrous controls, he said.

The MARS-L would be rolled out across the country over the next 18 months.

MARS-L features

• 40mm grenade launcher
• Ambidextrous controls
• 600m range
• Every rifle is fitted with a four power day sight, a red-dot zero magnification sight for close quarter battle work.
• Upper receiver is made of one piece of aluminium so the hand guard is not attached to the barrel.
• The stock can be adjusted for people who require a different length of pull, or adjusted to fit when wearing body armour.

 - Stuff