Special Report: Colt Canada showcases C25 rifles as it seeks European expansion
Colt Canada C25 5.56 mm assault rifle, right-hand side (Janes/ Amael Kotlarski)
Colt Canada demonstrated its C20 and C25 rifles at a live-fire event in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 2 October 2026, seeking to demonstrate how improved barrel design, optics, and signature reduction will support Canada's replacement of its C7A2 rifles and C8A3 carbines, and look towards possible European procurement. Developed for the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR) programme, the C25 retains the 5.56×45 mm NATO cartridge while introducing a heavy-profile barrel, a two-stage trigger, a low-power variable optic, and a multifunction muzzle device as standard.
The focus of the event was the C25 assault rifle, following its official presentation outside of North America at the DVD 2026 exhibition in Millbrook, UK in mid September. The C25 is an evolution of the Colt Canada C8A4 platform (previously known as the Modular Rail Rifle (MRR)), developed under the CMAR programme.
The C25 will fulfil the CMAR programme's General Service (GS) requirement under a contract awarded on 2 February 2026 and announced on 19 March. An initial tranche of 30,000 GS rifles is scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2029, with an option for a further 19,207 GS rifles.
The September 2026 event, which was used to mark the company's 50th birthday (originally founded as Diemaco Inc. in 1976) was also used to launch the brand's updated website, in a push to create greater awareness of a company that has traditionally been focussed on primarily serving the needs of the Canadian Government.
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