13th May 2026, Melksham, UK: The Government of Canada has awarded Avon Protection a five-year contract for the MITR-M1 Half Mask, MITR-PF Compact Particulate Filter, and accessories. The contract provides a framework agreement under which the MITR-M1 Half Mask and MITR-PF can be ordered for the Canadian Armed Forces.
With this contract, Canada has become the first FVEY nation defence force to award a contract for the MITR-M1 Half Mask, ensuring its personnel are equipped with a lightweight, flexible respiratory solution for tactical low- to mid-level threat environments.
Designed for fast-evolving operational scenarios that are unsuited to single-use face masks or full-face respirators, the MITR-M1 can be carried in cargo pockets or gear pouches and donned in seconds. It gives the wearer protection against respiratory particulate contaminates such as explosive gunfire residue; as well as oil and non-oil based contaminates such as lead, asbestos, fentanyl and lubricant mist. These contaminates are commonly found in tactical environments, from crowd control operations to high-risk interventions, and are known to have a detrimental effect on the respiratory health of personnel.
CE and NIOSH-certified, MITR-M1 Half Mask integrates seamlessly with ballistic and bump helmets via a strap or clip system, as well as tactical systems including night vision goggles, eye and hearing protective devices. With a sleek flush-fitting curved profile, the wearer retains weapon sighting ability and maintains communications via voice amplification/projection units.
The MITR-M1 Half Mask has been deployed in a range of operational settings with customers identifying its use for respiratory protection against a wide range of particulate hazards including explosive gunfire residue, lead, asbestos, fentanyl and riot control agents both during training and live operations. Its versatile protection has made it a trusted choice for organisations facing a range of airborne hazards in dynamic and high-risk environments.
“The research is clear: long term exposure to airborne particulate hazards is a major contributing factor to the negative health effects being experienced by military operators in later life,” Steve Elwell, President, Avon Protection, said. “In selecting the MITR-M1 Half Mask, the Canadian Military is focused on protecting the health of its operators so they can do their jobs and get home safely.
“MITR-M1’s convenient and low-burden respiratory protection is redefining protection levels for this fast-evolving market, and we look forward to seeing this system enter service with Canada’s world-class defence force.”