New rifles on the way for Canada's soldiers as defence spending ramps up

A program intended to replace the entire stock of the Canadian military’s aging assault rifles is being sped up, CBC News has learned.

An internal Department of National Defence presentation references a move to quickly order the first tranche of weapons under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program.

The commander of the Canadian Army, Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright, confirmed in an interview with CBC News that the program, which has languished on the books for years, will now proceed with speedy delivery expected from a Canadian manufacturer.

"We're on the cusp of signing a contract that will see those rifles start to be delivered to the Canadian Army as of next year," Wright said.

Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright, the commander of the Canadian Army, says the rifle program that has languished on the boo