The Australian Defence Force is using US-made gunsights with biblical references etched on them as they fight the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The ADF has several hundred of the sights, which are renowned by elite troops for their accuracy over long range, The Australian reports.
The gunsights, also used by US, British and New Zealand troops, have caused concern among military leaders that they may fuel views among extremists that the West is waging a war against Islam.
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Among the coded inscriptions were JN8:12, an apparent reference to John 8:12: "When Jesus spoke again to the people he said 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'"
The ADF confirmed on Thursday it had been unaware of the meaning of the inscription when the sights were issued to troops.
"The Department of Defence was unaware of the significance of the manufacturer's serial number," the spokesman said. "The sights were procured because they provide mature technology which is highly reliable, in wide use by our allies and best meet Defence requirements.
Soldiers are confident in the utility of the sight and the positive and proven effect which it is having on operations."
The Wixom, Michigan-based maker of the sights, Trijicon, has a multi-year, $A726.55 million contract with the US Marine Corps and other contracts with the US Army to supply the sights.
Trijicon sought to quiet the controversy after Muslim groups reacted angrily to reports about the rifles, announcing it was providing the military with kits to remove them.
The ADF is also investigating how to remove biblical references, and New Zealand has announced the references would be removed as they were inappropriate.
