Canada signs deal to replace C7/C8 rifles with CMAR

Canada’s Defence Investment Agency has awarded Colt Canada a contract to deliver up to 65,402 assault rifle systems under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR) program.

The rifles will replace the Canadian Armed Forces’ current C7 and C8 service weapons, which have been in use for more than 35 years.

The CMAR program is part of a broader effort to equip troops with updated, reliable small arms while reducing delays in delivering mission-critical systems.

According to the Canadian government, the contract will be executed in two phases. The first phase includes the delivery of 30,000 General Service (GS) rifles over a three-year period, with an estimated value of approximately $307 million, including taxes. The second phase, set to begin in year four as an option, includes an additional 19,207 GS rifles and 16,195 Full Spectrum (FS) rifles, along with associated equipment and support services.

The CMAR rifles are intended to serve across a range of roles within the Canadian Armed Forces. The GS variant is designed for widespread use, including personnel not directly engaged in frontline combat, while the FS variant is tailored for infantry units and optimized for offensive operations in both urban and open terrain.

As noted by the government, the program also includes system integration and engineering support to ensure the rifles can be deployed effectively across different units. Ammunition for the new rifles will be produced in Canada as part of the initiative.

Officials said the contract was advanced using a “risk-based approach,” a procurement method intended to streamline approvals and accelerate delivery timelines. The Defence Investment Agency said this approach allows equipment to reach troops faster by aligning oversight with the complexity and risk of the project.

“Providing modern, reliable capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces is central to the Defence Investment Agency’s mission, and our streamlined approach will deliver this capability to our troops faster,” said Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement.

Defence Minister David J. McGuinty said the program is aimed at ensuring Canadian forces have the equipment needed for current and future operations. “The Canadian Modular Assault Rifle project is an important step in modernizing the equipment our service members rely on every day,” he said.

The contract is also tied to Canada’s broader defense industrial policy. Colt Canada has committed to maintaining at least 80 percent Canadian content in production, a requirement intended to support domestic suppliers and create jobs across the country.

In practical terms, the CMAR program replaces legacy rifles with updated systems designed for modern operational environments.