MPT-76

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MPT-76
300px
The MKEK MPT-76 with a bipod
Type Battle rifle
Place of origin Turkey
Service history
In service 2014–present[1]
Used by See Users
Production history
Designer MKEK
Designed 2009
Manufacturer MKEK
Produced 2014-present[1]
Specifications
Weight 4.1 kg (9.0 lb)
Length 920 mm (36 in) [2]
Barrel length 410 mm (16 in)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650 rounds/min [2]
Muzzle velocity 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) [2]
Effective firing range 600 m (660 yd) [2]
Feed system 20-round detachable magazine[2]
Sights Iron sights or various optics

The MPT-76 (stands for Turkish: Milli Piyade Tüfeği, English: National Infantry Rifle)[3][4] is a modular rifle designed by MKEK & Kalekalıp and produced by MKEK to meet the demands of the Turkish Armed Forces and to replace its aging Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifles due to most of them being near the end of their service life.[5][6] The MPT-76 was designed for robust high altitude, all weather combat, capable of functioning in extreme hot and cold weather under. The MKEK MPT is a rifle intended to take abuse and extreme mistreatment and still maintain high accuracy and reliability in order to survive in true battle environments.[2][7] Ankara has invested 22 Million USD into the project.[5]

It made its first public appearance at the Eurosatory 2014,[8] ADEX 2014[9][10] and the MSPO 2014 events.[11]

History

After the first prototypes were built in 2008 as the Mehmetçik-1 in 5.56×45mm NATO,[12][13] the rifle received negative feedback from Turkish soldiers testing it who reported that they preferred the 7.62×51mm NATO round which has far greater stopping power and range similar to those of the existing G3 service rifles. The proposed Mehmetcik-1 was therefore cancelled after the first prototype and engineers started the redesign process.

The first batch of 200 MPT-76s were delivered on May 18, 2014 and received positive feedback.[8][14] The rifle was reported to be extremely accurate, reliable, and outmatched the G3 in all categories. The Turkish Army plans to gradually phase out its G3 and to make the MPT-76 its main service rifle.[15]Azerbaijan plans to produce parts of the rifle in cooperation with Turkey.[9]

Serial production began in 2015.[16]The initial phase of the project will see a total of 35,014 MPT-76's being produced in two tranches. The first tranche of the initial phase, consisting of 20,000 rifles was contracted to state-owned company Machines and Chemical Industries Board (MKEK) in June 2015.[17] The second tranche, consisting of 15,014 rifles, was contracted with local company Kalekalip in December 2015.[17]

Design

The MPT-76 is designed to be robust while maintaining accuracy. The need for such a rifle surfaced during the PKK conflict and the anti-terror skirmishes of the Turkish Army against the PKK in the country's south eastern borders with Iraq, an area of vast mountains with extreme climate and terrain. Its design was based on the AR-15, but with the gas piston system influenced by the HK417.[8][18] It has a Picatinny rail system and mounting options for an under-barrel shotgun and grenade launcher.[19]

Variants

The following are planned to be in production:[20]

  • MPT-76 Carbine with 12 inch barrel
  • MPT-76 Battle Rifle with 16 inch barrel
  • MPT-76 Designated Marksman's Rifle with 20 inch barrel

Users

  •  Azerbaijan: Requested to take part in the project as a fellow Turkic nation.[21]
  •  Turkey: Received 200 MPT-76 rifles.[4][14] 5,000 rifles out of the ordered 35,000 will be delivered by the end of 2015, following suggestions on changes to be made. The Turkish Armed Forces eventually plans on buying up to 500,000 rifles, making the MPT its main service and combat rifle for the Turkish Army all while decommissioning the aging HK G3 out of service.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://world.guns.ru/assault/turk/mpt-76-e.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/01/turkey-defense-spending-arms-procurement.html#
  6. ↑ http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/11/07/the-turkish-hk416-mehmetcik-1/
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.news.az/articles/society/91266
  10. ↑ http://www.azeridefence.com/news.php?id=8655
  11. ↑ http://www.armyrecognition.com/mspo_2014_official_show_daily_news_coverage_report/turkish_company_mkek_displays_its_new_national_infantry_rifle_mpt-76.html
  12. ↑ http://www.thegunzone.com/556dw-18.html
  13. ↑ http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/10385/turkeys-procurement-diplomacy-bears-fruit
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 http://www.teknolojioku.com/haber/tsk-ilk-parti-mpt-76-milli-piyade-tufegine-kavustu-18795.html
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ http://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2013/09/20/the-assault-rifles-of-the-near-future/
  19. ↑ http://www.armyrecognition.com/eurosatory_2014_show_daily_news_coverage_report/mke_displays_its_new_mpt-76_rifle.html
  20. ↑ http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=943
  21. ↑ http://news.az/articles/region/94852

External links

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