Ottawa has selected Colt Canada to supply over 65,000 assault rifles as part of its Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program, marking the replacement of the Canadian Armed Forces’ C7 and C8 weapons after more than 35 years of service. The procurement will be executed in two stages, starting with 30,000 general service rifles over three years, followed by a second phase that includes 19,207 additional standard rifles and 16,195 full-spectrum variants intended for frontline combat operations.
According to the Department of National Defence, the new systems are designed to enhance operational effectiveness by improving firepower, protection, and battlefield awareness. The program also includes comprehensive engineering and integration support. Colt Canada will maintain a strong domestic production base, with about 80 percent local content and ammunition manufactured within Canada. The acquisition process is being handled under a risk-managed procurement framework.
The legacy C7 and C8 rifles, first introduced in the 1980s, have supported Canadian forces in multiple theaters worldwide. The C7, with a 20-inch barrel and 3.3 kg weight, fires standard 5.56×45 mm NATO rounds at high velocity, while the shorter and lighter C8 offers greater maneuverability with a 14.5-inch barrel and slightly reduced muzzle velocity, while retaining similar rate of fire and operational range.
