NSW police are preparing to introduce a new specialist unit that will see officers, equipped with rifles, conduct high-visibility patrols across Sydney.
The Armed Response Command (ARC) was announced following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December 2025. The unit is designed to provide a permanent, round-the-clock police response to serious threats, with officers expected to patrol high-risk areas, places of worship, major events and other locations where an increased police presence is considered necessary.
On 8 October 2026, the NSW Government announced that the unit was entering a public training phase, with officers and specialist vehicles expected to become increasingly visible on Sydney streets. The initial deployment is expected to involve 60 officers, with the command eventually expanding to 250 officers and 28 civilian staff.
The $94.3 million initiative represents a significant investment in specialist policing and raises questions about how the new unit will operate alongside existing police commands and what its presence means for the community. Officials say the command is intended to strengthen the state’s ability to detect, deter and respond to serious threats.
What are the NSW Police Armed Response Command?
The initiative builds on Operation Shelter, which was established in October 2023 amid heightened community tensions and concerns about antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. The NSW Government announced in February 2026 that Operation Shelter would transition to a permanent, round-the-clock rapid-response capability.
The new command is intended to provide a more consistent and dedicated response, rather than relying solely on police officers temporarily reassigned from other commands.
The Government has described the ARC as an intelligence-led unit, meaning its deployment is intended to be informed by information about emerging threats and areas requiring additional police attention.
The unit’s introduction also reflects a shift towards maintaining a permanent specialist presence to respond quickly to emerging threats, rather than relying exclusively on existing police resources after an incident occurs.
However, the effectiveness of the approach will depend on how the command is deployed, how it coordinates with other police units and how its operations are evaluated over time.
What equipment will officers carry?
The ARC will use specialist vehicles and firearms designed to support rapid deployment.
According to the NSW Government, the planned equipment includes:
- Australian Combat Assault Rifles (ACARs): manufactured by Lithgow Small Arms in NSW.
- Purpose-built vehicles: including BMW X5S and Toyota Land Cruisers fitted with secure rifle storage.
- A 24/7 Police Operations Centre: supporting operational coordination, intelligence, logistics and training.
Where will the Armed Response Command operate?
The ARC is intended to operate across metropolitan Sydney, with patrols focused on locations identified as requiring an increased police presence.
These may include:
- places of worship;
- major public events;
- areas assessed as presenting elevated security risks;
- locations where serious threats emerge; and
- other public places requiring a specialist police response.
The unit is intended to operate around the clock, allowing police to respond to serious incidents at any time.
During the initial rollout, residents can expect to see officers carrying rifles and travelling in specialist vehicles as training moves from dedicated facilities into public environments.
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