Victoria police issued 300 new high-powered rifles

Victorian police will be given 300 new high-powered rifles valued at $25 million to better respond to terrorist attacks and armed thugs.

More than 700 officers from the public order response team and regional stations in Geelong, Ballarat, Morwell and Shepparton will be trained to use the rifles from March.

Officers will access the firearms, assigned to relevant areas not individuals, to respond to major events and high-risk situations.

"Let me be clear, it will be a very sad day if the rifles are used but the reality is we need to be prepared if an active armed offender or terrorist attack was to

occur in regional Victoria," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said today.

"Unless they are responding to a critical incident, the rifles will be securely stored at the police station or in vehicles and the community won't see them."

The rifle training is expected to be wrapped by up the end of 2021, the force says.

"These new longarm rifles will ensure police can respond quickly and effectively to critical incidents, particularly in regional Victoria," Police Minister Lisa Neville said.

The state government set aside money in February hoping to acquire 600 rifles for about 800 police officers.