Canada will upgrade its small arms arsenal at a cost of $232 million

The Canadian government is investing 307 million Canadian dollars ($232 million) in a major rearmament of its armed forces. 

This was reported by Ukrinform.

As Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Four announced on March 19, 2026, the contract with Colt calls for the delivery of over 65,000 modern assault firearms. This decision is intended to replace the outdated C7 and C8 models, which have been in service since the early 2000s.

The modernization program is divided into several phases:

• Phase One (3 years): procurement of 30,000 general-purpose rifles to ensure personal protection for personnel.

• Subsequent phases: the delivery of an additional 16,000 general-purpose weapons and 19,000 specialized systems adapted for combat operations in urban environments.

In addition to strengthening defense capabilities, the contract has a significant economic impact on the country. The manufacturer has committed to using 80% Canadian-made components, which will stimulate the creation of new jobs in Kitchener and other regions. This order is part of Canada’s broader strategy to modernize its military amid global security challenges, including strengthening Arctic defense and countering Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, Ukraine will receive 50 ACSV 8x8 armored personnel carriers from Canada; the first 10 vehicles will arrive in Germany in early summer.

Canada will also transfer 450 SkyRanger multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine, while Lithuania will allocate 3 million euros for FPV drones. The transfer process is set to begin this summer.

Canada is ready to support NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s proposal to establish a 100-billion-dollar fund to support Ukraine over the next five years.