Colt Canada Brings C25 5.56mm Assault Rifle to UK While GRAYBURN Shapes Britain’s SA80 Replacement.

Colt Canada has brought its C25 rifle to Europe for the first time, positioning the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO weapon as the latest evolution of the C7/C8 family for Canadian service. Its UK debut coincides with Project GRAYBURN as Britain prepares to replace the L85 and continues to assess future calibre options.

Presented at DVD 2026 at UTAC Millbrook, the C25 is intended to equip the Canadian Armed Forces under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle programme. Its appearance in Britain places a new 5.56 mm system into a wider debate over the configuration and calibre of the UK’s future individual weapon.

Related News: Canada Orders New CMAR Rifle Family from Colt Canada to Replace 35-Year-Old C7/C8 Rifles

Colt Canada C25 5.56mm assault rifle on display at DVD 2026 at UTAC Millbrook in the United Kingdom. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Canada has already chosen its path. The CMAR contract allows for the acquisition of up to 65,402 systems to progressively replace C7 and C8 rifles that have been in service for more than three decades. Colt Canada is nevertheless retaining the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO cartridge at a time when the wider use of Level IV body armour is prompting several armed forces to reassess the effectiveness of their individual weapons. The Canadian approach is therefore not based solely on delivering more energy on target. It also seeks to increase the probability of hitting exposed areas on a protected combatant, including under fatigue, stress, and the constraints of sustained operations.

The C25 uses a 13.7-inch cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined, free-floating barrel. This configuration is intended to preserve shot consistency while keeping the weapon compact enough for dismounted combat and confined environments. The rifle also incorporates a two-stage trigger and a continuous top rail for the integration of different accessories. A 1-6x low-power variable optic can be fitted to extend engagement options from close range to more deliberate fire at medium distances.

The muzzle device is another element of the rifle’s focus on practical accuracy. It uses controlled gas redirection to reduce sound pressure at the firing position, limit visible muzzle flash, and lower perceived recoil. The objective is not simply to improve shooter comfort. Greater weapon stability after the shot can support faster target re-engagement and reduce disturbance during rapid firing sequences, particularly when the soldier is operating from constrained positions or under high physical load.

At the tactical level, this concept prioritises the quality of the engagement rather than an immediate increase in calibre. The 1-6x optic supports identification and aiming against smaller targets, while the trigger, free-floating barrel and recoil management are intended to improve hit probability on both the first shot and subsequent rounds. Retaining 5.56 mm also preserves advantages in ammunition weight, carried load and compatibility with existing NATO stocks. The cartridge nevertheless remains subject to the penetration limitations that are driving the current debate over modern body armour. The C25 does not remove that trade-off. Instead, it shifts part of the response towards practical soldier accuracy and the effectiveness of the complete weapon system, including the rifle, optic and accessories.

This is what makes its appearance at Millbrook particularly relevant for the United Kingdom. The British Ministry of Defence confirmed on 8 September that Project GRAYBURN will replace the L85 and that current work includes options to optimise present and future 5.56 x 45 mm capabilities. London is also exchanging information with the United States on small-arms technologies, while Washington is pursuing a different path through the Next Generation Squad Weapon programme and the 6.8 mm calibre. There is currently no public indication that Colt Canada will offer the C25 for GRAYBURN. The British assessment remains broader and covers calibre, optics, signature reduction and the architecture of the future individual weapon system.

Across NATO, the C25 could also attract interest beyond Canada and the United Kingdom. Several armed forces are looking to renew their individual weapons without necessarily moving away from 5.56 x 45 mm, which continues to offer advantages in carried weight, ammunition availability and logistical interoperability. Colt Canada may be particularly relevant to existing users of the C7 and C8 families, including the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, where parts of the support infrastructure and operational experience are already established. More broadly, the C25 enters a European market in which competition is no longer focused solely on the rifle itself, but on integrated systems combining the weapon, optics, signature management, ergonomics and future adaptability. In contrast with the US move toward 6.8 mm, its continued use of 5.56 mm offers another option for states seeking to improve hit probability and soldier performance without immediately undertaking a full calibre transition.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.