The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has unveiled a new edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible for its personnel.

This marks the release of the first update in two decades, as reported by The Christian Post.

The launch event, held on 13th March at the ADF's headquarters in Canberra, featured a presentation by Tina King from Bible Society Australia to Major General Sue Graham, representing the chief of the Defence Force.

Graham said: "We acknowledge in the Defence Force how we are continually supported by the public, and the sacrifice from Bible Society volunteers brought forward today is another embodiment of that."

The new edition, tailored to the needs of service members in the Navy, Army and Air Force, includes prayers and content designed to support soldiers, sailors and aviators.

King said: "This is not a book for a bookshelf; it is a book to be near. We hope it will be dog-eared, underlined, searched and cherished."

Chaplain Kerry Larwill spoke about the ongoing importance of spiritual resources for the military, saying: "For people who serve in Defence… it’s a source of light and hope to those who derive their meaning from a Christian perspective."

The new edition also includes a foreword from General (retired) David Hurley, former Governor-General of Australia and former patron of the Military Christian Fellowship of Australia (MCF-A).