SYDNEY, Australia:  The New South Wales police force in Australia is introducing heavily armed patrols at major public events and crowded locations following a deadly shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.

The Armed Response Command (ARC) will carry out high-visibility patrols at major events, sporting venues, public spaces and places of worship, state police said.

The new unit has 250 police officers equipped with Australian combat assault rifles. It cost A$94 million (US$66.08 million) and is the first initiative of its kind in Australia, where the routine presence of heavily armed police officers is uncommon.

The decision follows an attack in which two men opened fire during a Jewish celebration at the famous Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed in what authorities described as an antisemitic attack inspired by Islamic State ideology.

Police said the new unit would improve their ability to respond quickly to serious threats and protect people at large gatherings.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, commander of the Armed Response Command, said the Bondi attack had demonstrated the dangers posed by armed attackers targeting innocent people.

"The tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people," he said.

Evans said the unit would ensure that highly trained officers were deployed with suitable equipment and could respond quickly when lives were at risk.

However, the decision has raised concerns among human rights campaigners about the growing use of military-style equipment by police.

Amnesty International Australia criticized the introduction of heavily armed patrols in Sydney, saying the move raised serious questions about the increasing militarisation of policing and the safeguards needed to protect human rights.

The deployment marks a significant change in Australia's approach to public security, where heavily armed officers have traditionally had a limited presence in everyday policing.