On Mar. 19, 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) announced the adoption of a new service rifle based on the AR-15 design. Procured under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR) initiative, the Colt Canada Modular Rail Rifle (MRR) will replace the CAF’s current C7 rifle and C8 carbine, both produced by Colt Canada.
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As with most NATO nations, Canada adopted a version of the FN FAL during the Cold War. Designated the C1A1, the 7.62mm NATO rifle was replaced by the 5.56mm NATO C7 rifle in 1984. Developed by Colt and Diemaco (later acquired by Colt and renamed Colt Canada), the C7 is functionally and visually similar to the M16A3.
Like the M16 family of AR-15 rifles, the C7 was later shortened to the C8 carbine. These weapons were fielded by the CAF in Iraq and Afghanistan and were also adopted by the British, Norwegian, Dutch, and Danish militaries. Notably, SAS operator Christian Craighead used a modified C8 (designated L119A2 in British service) when he intervened during the 2019 Nairobi terror attack.
Evolving the C8, Colt Canada introduced a monolithic upper receiver with the MRR, which was adopted as the C8A4 under the CMAR initiative.
First patented by Lewis Machine & Tool, the monolithic upper receiver integrates the AR-15’s handguard with the upper receiver to provide a continuous top rail and more stable rail estate for mounting precision accessories like optics and lasers. The MRR uses Magpul’s M-LOK mounting interface.
As part of the Canadian government’s effort to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the CAF, up to 65,402 new rifles will be acquired. Phase 1 will see 30,000 General Service rifles procured at $307 million CAD over three years. The next year, under Phase 2, an additional 19,207 General Service rifles will be procured along with 16,195 Full Spectrum rifles.
The Canadian Defence Investment Agency did not provide specific features or attributes of these two variants, but noted that the General Service rifle is for “personnel who are not in primary combat roles,” while the Full Spectrum rifle is “designed for front-line combat roles.”
“Today’s announcement is a win for Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces. Rifles remain foundational to soldier effectiveness in the field, and this development brings over 40 years of technology evolution to Canada’s fighting forces,” said Lieutenant-General M.C. Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army, in a press release. “This represents tangible progress, and a clear example of how we can move with greater agility to bring modern, reliable equipment to soldiers. It is about delivering the Army Canada needs, today, and into the future.”
The new rifles will be supplied under contract by Colt Canada of Ontario, and ammunition will also be made in Canada. Along with Colt’s Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, Colt Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Colt CZ Group based in Prague, Czechia.
While specific accessories for the CMAR, like optics or a suppressor, have not been formally announced, the new CAF rifle is still chambered in 5.56mm NATO and feeds from STANAG magazines. This ensures that Canadian troops are equipped with an upgraded weapon that can still share logistics with allied militaries. Initial deliveries are expected in 2027.
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