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MKE MPT

MKE MPT
MKEK MPT-76 with a bipod that retracts and doubles as a forward handgrip
TypeBattle rifle (MPT-76)
Assault rifle (MPT-55)
Designated marksman rifle (KNT-76)
Carbine (KAAN-717)
Place of originTurkey
Service history
In service2014–present[1]
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerMKEK
Designed2009[2]
Manufacturer
Produced2014-present[1]
No. built66,000 (MPT-76 and MPT-55)[4]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) (MPT-76 MT)
  • 3.75 kg (8.3 lb) (MPT-76 MH)
  • 4.7 kg (10 lb) (KNT-76)[5]
Length
  • 920 mm (36 in) (MPT-76)
  • 1,020 mm (40 in) (KNT-76)[5]
Barrel length
  • 406 mm (16.0 in) (MPT-76)
  • 508 mm (20.0 in) (KNT-76)[5]
Cartridge
ActionGas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire
  • 700 rounds/min (MPT-76)[6]
  • 200 rounds/min (KNT-76)[5]
Muzzle velocity
  • 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) (MPT-76 and KNT-76)[7]
Effective firing range
  • 600 m (660 yd) (MPT-76)[2]
  • 800 m (870 yd) (KNT-76)[5]
Feed system20 or 30-round detachable magazine[2]
SightsIron sights or various optics

The MPT (Turkish: Millî Piyade Tüfeği, 'National Infantry Rifle')[8][9] is a modular rifle family designed by MKEK and produced by MKEK, Sarsılmaz Arms and Kalekalıp to meet the demands of the Turkish Armed Forces and to replace its aging rifles such as the Heckler & Koch G3 and Heckler & Koch HK33 due to most of them being near the end of their service life.[10][11] The MPT was designed for robust high altitude, all weather combat, capable of functioning in extreme hot and cold weather. 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][12]

It made its first public appearance at the Eurosatory 2014,[13] ADEX 2014[14][15] and the MSPO 2014 events.[16]

History

[edit]

After the first prototypes were built in 2008 as the Mehmetçik-1 in 5.56×45mm NATO,[17][18] the rifle was negatively received. Turkish soldiers testing it 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 18 May 2014 and received positive feedback.[13][19] The rifle was reported by Turkish soldiers to be extremely accurate and reliable, and outmatched the G3 in all categories.[20][21][22] The Turkish Army plans to gradually phase out its G3 and to make the MPT-76 its main service rifle.[23] Azerbaijan plans to produce parts of the rifle in cooperation with Turkey.[14]

Serial production began in 2015.[24] The initial phase of the project will see a total of 35,014 MPT-76s being produced in two tranches. The first tranche of the initial phase, consisting of 20,000 rifles was contracted to the state-owned company Machines and Chemical Industries Board (MKEK) in June 2015.[25] The second tranche, consisting of 15,014 rifles, was contracted with local company Kalekalip in December 2015.[25]

The first batch of rifles was ready for delivery to the Turkish military in January 2017.[26] Approximately 25,000 MPT-76s have been built by December 2018 and there is 350,000+ firm order for the rifle in 2019.[27]

Design

[edit]

The design was based on the AR-15, but the gas piston system was influenced by the HK417. It has a Picatinny rail system and mounting options for an under-barrel shotgun and grenade launcher.[28] The MPT-76 has some ergonomic deviations from what would be considered traditional AR-10 style rifles: the HK417[13][29] inspired buttstock must be rotated counter-clockwise about 30 degrees, to adjust the length of pull. It also possesses an angled foregrip-style plastic mount that bridges the transition between the lower receiver and the picatinny handguard. It must be removed for disassembly. The charging handle also possesses the retaining latch on the right side of the weapon, not the left, which is typical of most Stoner-derived weapon systems.[30]

Variants

[edit]

The following variants are in production:[31]

Turkish soldier with MPT during an exercise in Poland in 2016

MPT-76-MH

[edit]

The MPT-76-MH is a lightened version of the standard MPT-76. The weight of the rifle has been reduced by 750 g (1.65 lb). The MPT-76's unloaded (without magazine) weight is 4.2 kilograms (9.3 lb).[32][33]

MPT-55

[edit]

In May 2017, MKEK introduced the MPT-55, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. The standard version is 7.3 lb (3.3 kg) with a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel, and the shorter MPT-55K is 6.6 lb (3.0 kg) with an 11 in (280 mm) barrel. Turkey planned to[needs update] obtain 20,000 of the smaller-caliber rifles to replace license-produced HK416s within special forces.[34][better source needed]

KNT-76

[edit]

The KNT-76 (Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği, 'Sniper Rifle', lit. 'Sharp Shooter Rifle') is the designated marksman rifle version. KNT-76 are produced in Kırıkkale Arms Factory like the MPT-76. The rifle with the same "Gas Operated Rotary Bolt Action" mechanism can fire semi-automatically. The MPT-76 can fire fully automatic and semi-automatic. Trigger sensitivity in the KNT-76 is reduced by five Newtons which allows the trigger to move with less pressure. This reduction prevents the involuntary movement of the barrel due to trigger movement. The KNT-76 weighs 500 g (18 oz) more that the MPT-76, while the magazine capacity remains the same. The effective range increased from 600 m (660 yd) to 800 m (870 yd) due to the barrel being extending from 406 mm (16.0 in) to 508 mm (20.0 in), and accuracy is improved from 4 MOA (4 in (100 mm) at 100 yd (91 m)) to 1.5 MOA (1.5 in (38 mm) at 100 yd (91 m)).[7]

KAAN-717

[edit]
Turkish soldiers on parade with MPT rifles in 2020

The KAAN-717 is the carbine version, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Designed for the Special Forces, it uses a short-stroke action. The KAAN-717 also comes with a different stock with a cheek rest.[35]

Users

[edit]

Potential users

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Milli Piyade Tüfeği'nin ilk sevkiyatı yapıldı". TRT Haber (in Turkish). 10 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "Milli Piyade tüfeği üretimine başlandı". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  3. ^ "'Milli Piyade Tüfeği'nde 40 bin teslimat başarısı".
  4. ^ a b "MKEK'de hedef 66 bin silah üretimi". www.trthaber.com. 14 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e "KNT-76 Manga Tipi Milli Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği". millisavunma.com. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan'a yerli silahlı koruma" (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  7. ^ a b "National Sniper from MKEK: KNT-76". c4news.me.
  8. ^ "7.62 mm MPT-76 National Infantry Rifle". NAVDEX. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  9. ^ "MKEK MPT-76 - Modern Firearms". Modern Firearms. 15 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Turkey defense spending arms procurement". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  11. ^ "The Turkish HK416: Mehmetçik-1 - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. 7 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Milli Piyade Tüfeği'nin ilk prototipleri hazır". TRT Türk (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  13. ^ a b c Nicholas de Larrinaga (18 June 2014). "Eurosatory 2014: MKEK delivers first MPT-76 rifles to Turkey". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  14. ^ a b "News.Az - Turkey to display MPT-76 infantry rifle at Baku defense exhibition in September". www.news.az. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  15. ^ "ADEX-2014: MKE şirkəti MPT-76 piyada tüfəngini Bakıda sərgiləyəcək". Azeridefence (in Azerbaijani). 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Turkish company MKEK displays its new national infantry rifle MPT-76". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  17. ^ "The 5.56 X 45mm: 2008". Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  18. ^ "Turkey's Procurement Diplomacy Bears Fruit". www.worldpoliticsreview.com. 19 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  19. ^ Teknolojioku (18 June 2014). "TSK, ilk parti MPT-76 milli piyade tüfeğine kavuştu". Teknolojioku (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  20. ^ Malyasov, Dylan. "Turkish military to receive locally made MPT-76 rifles". defence-blog.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Zaptiye" (PDF). MPT-76 (in Turkish). JSGA. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  22. ^ Savaş, Abdullah. "Türk mühendisliği ürünü: MPT-76". Savunma Sanayii Dergilik. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  23. ^ "The new Turkish MKEK Mehmecik MPT-76 National Rifle". The Firearm Blog. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  24. ^ "Turkey to begin serial production of MPT-76 rifles | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  25. ^ a b "Turkey orders more MPT-76 service rifles | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  26. ^ "First MPT-76 rifles delivered to the Turkish Military". The Firearm Blog. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  27. ^ Gökmen, Fatih (13 December 2018). "Milli piyade tüfeği 'MPT-76' asker ve polisin gücüne güç kattı" (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  28. ^ "MKE displays its new MPT-76 rifle". Army Recognition. Eurosatory 2014 Show Daily News Coverage Report. Defence and security military army exhibition 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  29. ^ "The Assault Rifles of the Near Future". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 19 September 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  30. ^ Military Arms Channel (22 July 2015). ""Shooting the Turkish MPT-76 Infantry Rifle"". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  31. ^ "MKEK MPT (Milli Piyade Tufegi) Assault Rifle / Battle Rifle / Assault Carbine - Turkey". Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  32. ^ "MPT-76-MH Passes Turkish Army Qualification -". The Firearm Blog. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  33. ^ Yönetmeni, Teoman Korkmaz / Genel Yayın (7 February 2021). "MPT-76 Artık 3 Kilo 750 Gram". Savunma Sanayi (in Turkish). Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  34. ^ "IDEF 2017- MKEK Introduces 5.56x45mm MPT-55 Rifle". TheFireArmBlog.com. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017.
  35. ^ Kökçü, Ata Ahmet (23 May 2019). "KAAN-717 Karabina Tipi Piyade Tüfeği".
  36. ^ "Turkey Albania MPT-76 and MPT-55 donated". raillynews.com. 26 April 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  37. ^ "Official army site".
  38. ^ "Türki̇ye Arnavutluk'a 30 Adet MPT-76 Ve MPT-55 Hafi̇f Pi̇yade Tüfeği̇ Hi̇be Etti̇". Savunma Sanayi (in Turkish). 26 April 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Turska donirala automatske puške Vojsci Crne Gore". 23 March 2020.
  40. ^ "Somalia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Receive MPT76s". TheFireArmBlog.com. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Senegal Silahlı Kuvvetleri'ne KNT-76 Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği teslimatı". 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  42. ^ Haber7. "Sınırları aştı! Dünya peşine düştü..." Haber7 (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "MKE'den Kosova'ya PMT-76-57A ihracatı | SavunmaSanayiST". 21 May 2023.
  44. ^ "News.Az - Turkey to start mass production of national infantry rifle". news.az. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  45. ^ a b "Milli Piyade Tüfeği MPT-76'yı ABD de İstiyor, Şili de". Haberler.com (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  46. ^ "Türkiye'den Pakistan'a milyar dolarlık rekor satış geliyor!" (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
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