Pentagon Taps Colt for $12.9 Million Small Arms Production

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The U.S. Department of Defense has officially awarded a $12,934,700 firm-fixed-price contract to Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC. The deal, announced in mid-December 2025, solidifies the historic gunmaker’s role in fulfilling high-priority international defense requirements through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Contract Highlights

The agreement focuses on the procurement of the M4A1 carbine, a staple of modern infantry operations. According to Department of the Army records, the contract covers:

• M4A1 Carbines: The latest select-fire versions of the modular 5.56mm platform.

• Suppressors: Tactical attachments designed to reduce muzzle flash and sound signatures.

• Flash Hiders: Specialized muzzle devices to mitigate visual detection during night operations.

The entirety of the $12.93 million was obligated at the time of the award, sourced from Fiscal Year 2025 FMS funds for Israel.

Strategic Importance

This award underscores the continued global reliance on the M4A1 platform. While the U.S. Army is beginning to transition frontline units to the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system, the M4A1 remains the standard-issue rifle for dozens of allied nations.

The inclusion of suppressors as a primary contract line item reflects a modern shift in infantry doctrine. By reducing the noise and visual flash of gunfire, these devices improve battlefield communication and soldier survivability—especially in the urban environments common in current regional conflicts.

Production and Timeline

All manufacturing and testing will take place at Colt’s primary facility in West Hartford, Connecticut. The U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC-NJ), based out of Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, is the oversight body for the project.

• Contract ID: W15QKN-26-C-0005

• Work Location: West Hartford, CT

• Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2026

About Colt’s Manufacturing

A subsidiary of the Czech-based Colt CZ Group, Colt’s Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the Connecticut defense industry. This latest contract follows a series of multi-million dollar awards over the last two years, highlighting the company’s pivot toward international government contracts as it balances its domestic commercial presence.