Sniper with a Canadian CDX-40 SHDW rifle and a U.S.-made Nightforce scope at a tactical shooting tournament organized by the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Directorate of Combat Training, June 2025. Photo: Lazarev Tactical 2022 Telegram channel
Canadian intelligence officers held several meetings with executives at the Quebec-based firearms manufacturer Cadex Defence after it emerged that the Russian army had adopted the company’s rifles. In a joint investigation with Global News in October, The Insider reported that Russian Armed Forces snipers were using Cadex rifles.
Cadex President Serge Dextraze told Global News that meetings with representatives of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS, focused on Moscow’s efforts to circumvent the arms embargo. Cadex Defence insists it does not supply its products to Russia. Dextraze said intelligence officers provided the company with specific guidelines. He stressed that authorities had no complaints about the company’s operations.
CSIS, in turn, said the intelligence service is working with arms manufacturers and exporters to prevent sanctioned Canadian goods from reaching Russia. “With increased awareness of this illicit activity, Canadian companies are better enabled to proactively vet customers themselves,” a CSIS spokesperson said.
