The CAN bayonet 2000/2005 is the up-to-date standard multi-purpose infantry bayonet of the Canadian Armed Forces, issued to match the C7/C8 service rifles as the successor of C7 Nella bayonet after 2004.[1][2]
The CAN bayonet 2000/2005 is a German-designed Canadian bayonet manufactured under licence by Colt Canada. It has wire-cutting abilities while functioning as a combat bayonet.[1]
The bayonet itself is 311 mm (12.2 in) long in total. Its 184 mm (7.2 in) blade has a thickness of 3.4 mm (0.13 in), and the muzzle ring diameter is 22.1 mm (0.87 in). It weighs 310 g (11 oz) and has a different scabbard and vest frog from the C7 Nella bayonet.[2][3]
The bayonet 2000 was originally developed based on a NATO standardization agreement by AES in Germany. It uses a hilt identical to US M7 bayonet, but with a different AES design instead of replicating the entire M7 bayonet's design. It is fitted with a dark olive green grip, scabbard and olive drab green scabbard carrier. It also has web frog used to be fitted onto the modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE) system.[1]
The bayonet 2000 was first selected by United States Marine Corps in 2001, but was rejected due to political issues, which eventually became the lead-up to AES going bankrupt.[1]
After the bankruptcy of AES, the bayonet was rebranded to Bayonet 2005 by Eickhorn-Solingen Ltd.[1]