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2mo ago

Canada Awards Colt Canada Deal for Up to 65,402 Modular Rifles

The Defence Investment Agency used a risk‑based direct acquisition to replace C7/C8s, moving first deliveries to 2027—two years sooner than first expected.

Stephen Fuhr, secrétaire d'État à l'Approvisionnement en matière de défense, s'exprime lors de la Conférence d’Ottawa sur la sécurité et la défense, à Ottawa, le jeudi 5 mars 2026. LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Spencer Colby
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A soldier of the 41 Canadian Brigade Group stands guard during training at CFB Suffield, Alta., on Oct. 19, 2024.

Overview

  • Phase 1 will buy 30,000 General Service rifles over three years at an estimated $307 million, with deliveries beginning in 2027.
  • Phase 2 is expected to start in year four, with officials indicating 2030, to procure the remaining 19,207 GS rifles and 16,195 Full Spectrum rifles plus ancillaries.
  • The contract replaces the 35‑year‑old C7/C8 fleet with the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle system to improve reliability and soldier protection.
  • Colt Canada committed to at least 80% Canadian content, ammunition will be produced domestically, and Ottawa projects about $10 million in annual GDP gains over five years with 70 new jobs at Colt reported.
  • The DIA advanced the buy through a direct acquisition using a Risk‑Based Approach, citing established domestic supply frameworks and reducing Treasury Board approval cycles to speed delivery.