The Halifax Rifles, a historic but defunct Canadian battle regiment, officially returned to military service Sunday, more than four decades after being disbanded.

Minister of Defence Peter MacKay was on hand for the ceremony at the Halifax armoury.

MacKay said the unit was revived to help meet the growing demands of the Canadian Forces at home and abroad, including the mission in Afghanistan.

"This is part of the overall growth we hope to achieve," he said. "We set annual goals in terms of our expansion and I thought it was very symbolic today we saw our very first new recruit into the Halifax Rifles Unit."

Brig.-Gen. David Neasmith -- commander of Canadian Land Forces, Atlantic Area -- called it a proud day.

"We haven't reactivated a unit like this in a long, long time so this is actually very significant for the Canadian Forces," he said.

Neasmith added it was possible the Rifles could see action in Afghanistan once it is fully staffed and trained. The unit is aiming to have 130 recruits.

The Halifax Rifles have a long and proud history. Originally formed in 1860, prior to Confederation, the unit saw service in the North West Rebellion of 1885, and numerous overseas missions including the First and Second World Wars.

Many prominent Canadians served in the Rifles, including two prime ministers, Sir Charles Tupper and Sir Robert Borden, three Nova Scotia premiers and many other prominent leaders in that province.

The unit was made inactive in 1965 as part of a sweeping reorganization of the Canadian Forces.