Colt Canada C25

History

The Colt Canada C25 is a 5.56 × 45 mm NATO assault rifle developed under Canada’s Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR) program. The Canadian Department of National Defence designation is C25 General Service (GS) Weapon System. It represents a further development of the C7/C8 family and is based on Colt Canada’s Modular Rail Rifle concept.

The C25 was selected for the Canadian Armed Forces as a replacement for long-serving C7 rifles and C8 carbines. Its design retains the 5.56 × 45 mm NATO cartridge while emphasizing practical accuracy, weapon handling, accessory integration, signature reduction, and performance during sustained operations.

The rifle was publicly displayed in Europe during 2026. Although some reports described its appearance at DVD 2026 at UTAC Millbrook in the United Kingdom as its first European presentation, another contemporary report documented the C25 at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland, approximately a week earlier. Its British presentation formed part of Colt Canada’s effort to introduce the weapon to UK and other European customers.

Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program

The C25 was developed under the CMAR project to replace Canadian C7 and C8 weapons that had served for several decades. Colt Canada described the program as an evolution of the established C7/C8 platform incorporating advances in barrel life, precision, reliability, suppressor technology, ergonomics, and accessory integration.

In March 2026, Canada announced a C$307 million contract covering the first 30,000 C25 systems together with engineering support, lifecycle management, and associated support. Canadian Army Today reported that this first phase was to be completed over three years, with a second phase for 19,207 additional C25 systems expected to begin in the fourth year. A separate report stated that the CMAR acquisition framework could cover up to 65,402 systems, indicating that reported procurement ceilings and identified procurement phases were not identical.

The first-phase configuration is intended for frontline combat units, including Regular Force infantry. The later phase was described as supporting wider Canadian Armed Forces use, including personal protection and deterrence roles for personnel outside primary combat units. Initial deliveries to soldiers were expected to begin in 2027.

European introduction

Colt Canada presented the C25 in Europe during September 2026, including at MSPO in Poland and DVD 2026 in the United Kingdom. The UK presentation occurred while Britain was developing Project GRAYBURN to replace the L85 family. The C25 therefore appeared in the British market during a broader assessment of future individual weapons, optics, signature reduction, and calibre choices.

Reports differed on whether Colt Canada was formally proposing the C25 for Project GRAYBURN. One source described the company as positioning the rifle for the British requirement, while another stated that there was no public indication at that time of a formal C25 offer. The weapon’s presence in Britain nevertheless demonstrated Colt Canada’s intention to promote the system to UK and European military customers.

Design

The C25 follows the general architecture developed from Colt Canada’s C7/C8 and Modular Rail Rifle family. Its design combines a compact 13.7-inch barrel, an integrated upper receiver, a continuous top accessory rail, ambidextrous controls, and provision for modern optical and muzzle systems.

Barrel and upper receiver

The C25 uses a 348 mm (13.7 in) cold-hammer-forged barrel. The barrel is chrome-lined and free-floating, meaning that it is supported at the receiver without contact with the handguard along its length. This arrangement is intended to reduce external influences on barrel vibration and improve consistency.

Colt Canada also optimized the barrel geometry to support practical accuracy while retaining sufficient material for the gas system and sustained use. Canadian Army Today described the weapon as using an Integrated Upper Receiver derived from Colt Canada’s Modular Rail Rifle architecture. The upper includes a full-length STANAG 4694-compatible NATO accessory rail, while another contemporary report described the handguard as using M-LOK mounting provisions.

Controls and trigger

The lower receiver incorporates fully ambidextrous controls. These include the bolt catch and release, magazine release, and fire selector, allowing operation from either side of the rifle. A Radian charging handle was also observed on rifles displayed in 2026.

The C25 uses a two-stage trigger. The first stage provides an initial take-up before reaching a defined resistance point, while additional pressure releases the second stage and fires the weapon. Colt Canada associated this arrangement with improved consistency and control under operational stress.

Optics and accessory integration

The continuous top rail allows the C25 to accept different sights and accessories. A Colt Optics 1–6× low-power variable optic was displayed with the weapon and is intended to support both rapid close-range aiming and more deliberate engagements at greater distances. A Colt CQS-1 red-dot sight was also shown on a C25 during DVD 2026.

The combination of the rifle, optic, trigger, barrel, and accessory system reflects the CMAR program’s emphasis on increasing the probability of effective hits rather than changing to a larger intermediate cartridge. Colt Canada retained the standard 5.56 × 45 mm NATO chambering despite contemporary concerns about the ability of this ammunition to defeat modern Level IV body armour.

Muzzle and suppressor system

C25 rifles displayed in 2026 were fitted with the Millbrook Strategic Sciences Multi-Function Muzzle Device, or MFMD. The device was described as a 3D-printed component using controlled gas redirection to reduce sound pressure at the shooter’s position, visible muzzle flash, and felt recoil.

The MFMD was presented as combining muzzle-brake, compensator, and suppressor functions. Its flow-through arrangement was intended to limit the effect of suppression on bolt speed. One report stated that the system had undergone testing involving more than 10,000 rounds.

Program status

As of September 2026, the C25 had been officially selected for Canadian service and was entering the procurement and fielding process. The first Canadian procurement phase covered 30,000 systems, with delivery planned over three years and initial issue expected in 2027. A second phase for 19,207 systems was expected to follow.

The rifle was also being introduced to European audiences. Colt Canada highlighted its existing relationships with European military users of C7/C8-derived weapons, including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. These countries were existing users of earlier Colt Canada systems, but the available sources do not establish them as C25 operators.

Variants

• C25 General Service Weapon System: Canadian Armed Forces designation for the CMAR rifle configuration intended initially for frontline combat forces.
• Second-phase C25 configuration: A planned later procurement intended for broader Canadian Armed Forces use, including personal protection and deterrence roles outside primary combat units. The available sources do not provide a separate formal variant designation.

Operators

• Canada: The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces officially selected the C25 under the CMAR program. A first procurement phase covers 30,000 systems, with a reported second phase for 19,207 additional systems expected to follow.

Specifications (C25 General Service Weapon System)

General characteristics

• Type: Assault rifle
• Manufacturer: Colt Canada
• Cartridge: 5.56 × 45 mm NATO
• Barrel length: 348 mm (13.7 in)
• Barrel construction: Cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined, free-floating barrel
• Upper receiver: Integrated upper receiver with full-length NATO accessory rail
• Controls: Fully ambidextrous bolt catch and release, magazine release, and fire selector
• Trigger: Two-stage trigger

Sights and equipment

• Optical sight: Compatible with a Colt Optics 1–6× low-power variable optic
• Other sight observed: Colt CQS-1 red-dot sight
• Muzzle system: Compatible with the 3D-printed Millbrook Strategic Sciences Multi-Function Muzzle Device displayed with the rifle in 2026