The Later Cold War
A Changing Fleet

Canada's navy changed and shrank in the latter part of the Cold War, but continued to face threats and meet alliance obligations. Despite the addition of some newer vessels, by the late 1970s it faced "rust-out" due to the gradual deterioration of ships and equipment.

FN C1D Rifle

Canada's navy obtained a special version of the standard FN (Fabrique Nationale) service rifle for use by boarding parties performing searches.

Following the Canadian military's adoption of the Belgian designed FN C1 rifle in the 1950s, the navy identified a requirement for a service rifle capable of fully automatic fire. The FN C2 light machine-gun was deemed too cumbersome for use on a naval vessel so the standard C1 rifle, which was already in service with the navy, was modified to allow it to fire in a fully automatic mode. This modification was adopted for naval service as the C1D.

Rifle, FN C1D Carbine
CWM 19780274-020