Sophisticated new pistols are to be issued to more than 7,000 police officers in Northern Ireland.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde has ordered ageing Ruger revolvers be replaced with Glock 17 semi-automatics.
It is a response to fears that safety of the officers is being compromised.
Training in the new personal protection weapons is to begin next April, authoritative sources disclosed.
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One said: "This is a huge step forward and it's bound to give officers better protection. It should have happened years ago."
The switchover is expected to take up to 18 months to complete and cost up to £3 million.
Rank-and-file officers have been demanding more modern equipment amid a rising threat by local terrorists.
PA