The Canadian small arms specialist Colt Canada, part of the Colt CZ Group, presents to professional audiences in the United Kingdom and Europe at Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2026 this week for the first time the new rifle C25. The C25 was officially selected by the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces as the successor system to the C7/C8 platform, which has served Canadian and allied forces for more than 35 years.
Also among our neighbors in the Netherlands, the Colt C7 (in the long version, also referred to as C7NLD) as well as the C8 (as a compact carbine version) are the standard assault rifles of the Dutch Army (Koninklijke Landmacht). The C8 is especially in use by special forces, vehicle crews, and paratroopers. Other users include Denmark (Gv M/95), the United Kingdom (certain variants such as the C8 SFW carbine used by special forces), Norway (with the special unit Forsvarets Spesialkommando using the C8 in the versions C8 SFW and C8 CQB), or Ukraine (transfers from inventories of the Netherlands and Canada).
A New Approach to the Challenge Posed by Body Armor
Body armor of protection class IV is increasingly widespread, and the conventional 5.56 mm round alone is not enough to penetrate it. Since there is no consensus yet on a next-generation intermediate caliber, Colt Canada—in line with the deployment doctrine and the operational principles of the Canadian Department of National Defence—has chosen another approach: to massively increase the soldier’s precision in combat against smaller, harder targets (which remain unprotected despite body armor), even under conditions of fatigue and stress during prolonged deployments.
The C25 is a program that places precision and human factors at the center and is based on a defined deployment concept. It was developed as part of the “Canadian Modular Assault Rifle” (CMAR) project and features a 13.7-inch barrel (348 millimeters), hard-chrome, free-floating and cold-hammer-forged—optimized for durability and long-lasting performance. This configuration is intended to ensure consistent firing performance while keeping the weapon compact enough for seated combat and tight deployment environments.
Additionally, the rifle is equipped with a two-stage trigger. Through targeted gas routing, the sound pressure is reduced, the muzzle flash is limited, and the perceived recoil is decreased. This is intended to contribute to greater weapon stability, precision, and faster shot delivery. The upper receiver is equipped with a continuous top rail and accepts a wide range of accessories, such as the Colt rifle scope with one- to sixfold magnification.
Four Key Changes, One Outcome
The C25 offers four key improvements, each designed to place the first shot precisely on target and deliver follow-up shots more quickly:
- Greater consistency under stress – a two-stage trigger provides a sensitive and defined trigger pull.
- Improved precision over the entire engagement distance – an optimized barrel geometry minimizes projectile disturbances and promotes higher practical accuracy.
- Reduced signature and decreased recoil – controlled muzzle gas routing lowers the sound pressure at the firing position, suppresses muzzle flash, and reduces perceived recoil.
- Faster target acquisition at distance – a variably magnified Colt rifle scope broadens the engagement range and shortens the time the shooter is exposed.
These changes collectively aim at one result: precision under realistic operational conditions. According to Colt Canada, it is a rifle shaped by practical deployment, with the needs of soldiers at its core.
Reintroduction of Colt Canada in Great Britain and Europe
Sean Congdon, President and CEO of Colt Canada, comments: “We are very pleased to be represented at this year’s Defence Vehicle Dynamics show. This marks the kickoff to tell our story, with the C25 at the center. The C25 is not simply about introducing a new rifle. It is our answer to the changing operational environment and the modern demands soldiers place on their weapon system.”
The C25 builds on decades of experience with the C7/C8 platform, combined with customer feedback on field deployment challenges, according to Congdon. “In introducing the C25 in the United Kingdom and other European markets, we are pursuing the same approach that Colt Canada has always excelled at: we listen carefully to our customers and develop solutions tailored to their operational requirements.”
The Colt Canada C25 uses the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO caliber and thus presents itself as a successor to some ongoing projects. The European premiere coincides with the UK Grayburn project, in which Britain intends to replace its L85 assault rifle. The L85 rifle variant has been the British Armed Forces’ standard rifle since 1987, replacing the L1A1 self-loading rifle; both belong to the SA80 family. Canada has already chosen a path. The CMAR contract envisages the procurement of up to 65,402 systems to replace the C7 and C8 rifles that have been in service for more than three decades.
