A plan to expedite the replacement of the Canadian military’s outdated assault rifles is in progress, according to sources at CBC News. An internal presentation from the Department of National Defence indicates a move to promptly acquire the initial batch of arms under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle initiative.
Canadian Army Commander Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright stated in an interview with CBC News that the long-standing program is now advancing towards swift delivery, with rifles expected to be supplied by a Canadian manufacturer starting next year. This acceleration, nearly two years ahead of the previous schedule, is facilitated by an injection of over $9 billion into the military to meet NATO’s two percent defense spending target.
As per a Defense Department briefing from July 2025, the plan entails ordering up to 65,401 modern rifles initially, with the potential to increase deliveries to 300,000 should the government decide to expand the military supplementary reserve. While the exact cost and delivery timeline are not specified in the internal presentation, the program’s total value is estimated to range between $500 million and $1 billion.
The Canadian Modular Assault Rifle aims to replace the existing stock of C7 and C8 rifles, which originated from the Afghan war almost two decades ago. Lt.-Gen. Wright views the introduction of the new rifles and redesigned day-to-day CADPAT camouflage uniforms as significant morale-boosting measures for the troops.
Although the recipient of the contract remains undisclosed, Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ont., is a contender due to its established relationship with the army. Opting for a Canadian supplier aligns with the Liberal government’s strategy to revitalize the country’s defense industrial sector.
In parallel, the military is also pursuing the acquisition of U.S.-manufactured rocket-propelled artillery known as HIMARS. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency recently granted Canada permission to purchase up to 26 M142 rocket systems. However, the $2.7 billion program, slated for delivery in 2029, poses political challenges due to the government’s objective of diversifying military equipment procurement away from the U.S.
Additional focus areas for the army, according to Lt.-Gen. Wright, include drones and BV 206 tracked carriers tailored for Arctic operations, both of which are in urgent need of modernization. These acquisitions, alongside rifles, uniforms, and rocket systems, are integral to the broader restructuring of the army to prepare for large-scale warfare scenarios akin to recent conflicts in Ukraine.
Moreover, the army is contemplating a mobilization plan to establish a reserve pool of up to 300,000 citizen soldiers, aiming to enhance deployable troop strength. Currently, the Canadian Army comprises approximately 22,500 regular force members and 21,500 primary reserve members.
Looking ahead, Lt.-Gen. Wright envisions potential reconfigurations or relocations of century-old urban armouries to suburban areas to better align with the residential distribution. The restructuring aims to streamline administration and establish one division for domestic crises response and another for international deployment.
In preparation for potential crisis scenarios, the army is evaluating the scalability of its regional divisions. A recent planning exercise, conducted in September, tested the feasibility of rapidly expanding the army in emergencies. Lt.-Gen. Wright emphasized the importance of cultivating a proactive mindset within the military in response to evolving security challenges.