The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced its intention to award a £4 million contract to Colt Canada Corporation for the supply of C8 rifle spares and accessories, according to a tender notice published on 19 February 2025.
The contract will run for an initial two-year period, with options to extend for a further three years.
The contract covers essential components for the C8 rifle platform, a widely used firearm among UK specialist military units. According to the MoD, the contract will “provide C8 Rifle Spares and Accessories for a period of 2 years with 3 option years”, ensuring continued support and maintenance of these critical weapons.
The contract is expected to run from 8 August 2025 to 7 August 2027, with potential extensions based on operational requirements.
The MoD has confirmed that the contract will be awarded without prior publication of a competitive tender, citing technical reasons under Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR) 2011. The justification states:
“It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the DSPCR 2011 for technical reasons.”
The MoD argues that Colt Canada Corporation is the only supplier capable of fulfilling this requirement, due to its “significant niche expertise, technical ‘know-how’ and acquired specific experience to source quality spares and manage the supply chain / delivery process.”
The notice further states:
“Colt Manufacturing is the manufacturer and has appointed Colt Canada Corporation as the sole distributor of spares in the UK which support C8 Platform components. Colt Canada Corporation has been granted the rights from Colt Manufacturing to the technical specifications required to undertake the manufacture, testing and supply, and they do not share this knowledge/expertise with any third party.”
The MoD has appointed Babcock Land Defence Limited as its agent for the procurement process. The notice specifies:
“Babcock Land Defence Limited is acting as Agent on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.”
Interested suppliers or industry stakeholders with queries regarding the procurement process are instructed to direct their questions to Babcock in the first instance.
The Colt Canada C8
Designated as the L119A1/A2 in British service, is primarily used by the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) and certain specialised units.
The Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) have adopted the L119A1/A2 as their standard assault rifle, replacing older models like the M16 and C7. Other units that use the L119A1/A2 include:
- Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
- Special Forces Support Group (SFSG)
- Pathfinder Platoon (16 Air Assault Brigade)
- 43 Commando Royal Marines
- Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit
The L119A1/A2 comes in different barrel lengths, including a 15.7-inch version for general use and a 10-inch compact model suited for close-quarters combat. These carbines have flat-top receivers for mounting optics, rail systems for accessories, and adjustable telescoping stocks for versatility in different operational environments.
That C8 users list is really non exhaustive. They have this habit of cropping up in small numbers for specialist tasks all the time.
Makes a lot of sense- I’d like to see HMG ordering a big quantity of rifles in, whilst we still can and before the inevitable war with Russia. The UK needs to be able to arm over a hundred thousand men quickly and the next 100,000 within a few months, we wont be able to do that unless the guns, ammunition, uniforms, helmets and body armour are already waiting in stores and stockpiles.
It’s not at all inevitable a war with Russia is going to happen. They can’t even invade Ukraine.
Mr B, very good point. I have long since wondered if there is kit for Regular Reservists, let alone a larger cohort. Also it might not be totally cynical to question if the Army Reserve units have all they need including sufficient organic transport.
Yup, it is good to see some of the wider equipment and materiel fixes being put in place and all the money not being hoovered by the big projects.
It is interesting that a stream of what-you-need-or-need-fixed-to-fight-now announcements are coming out. I’m surprised we haven’t head about stockpiling M270 war shots TBH – problem there may be manufacturing capacity as UKR could be using them as fast as they can be made?
@Graham Whatever happened to the guy who was adamant that every MT department was going to be cut on December 31st and was like “mark my words”
Apropos of nothing you just reminded me is all lol
People
How does this fit in with the recent announcement tgat a Knights Armament AR15 derivative (and sound moderator) was being purchased for the Rangers, Airborne Pathfinders etc.?
It’s not bring purchased for Airborne and Pathfinders. 16AA is staying on L85, Pathfinders I believe are on c8s anyway.
Any way, this is not a contract for new rifles, but for spares for rifles already kn service.
These are spares for the existing C8s to keep them going. THE Alternative Individual Rifles are in for Rangers and the RM Commando Units – units that previously used the L85A3. So my reading is; if they use C8 (L119) they stay on it.
Any idea if there is a reserve stock of SLRs and SMGs?