Engineering:MKE MPT

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Short description: Turkish rifle
MKE MPT
MPT-76 Assault Rifle.jpg
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
  • Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)
  • Syrian civil war
  • Somali Civil War
  • Second Libyan Civil War
Production history
DesignerMKEK
Designed2009[2]
Manufacturer
  • MKEK
  • Sarsılmaz Arms[3]
  • Kalekalıp
Unit cost$1480[4]
Produced2014-present[1]
No. built66,000 (MPT-76 and MPT-55)[5]
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)[6]
Length
  • 920 mm (36 in) (MPT-76)
  • 1,020 mm (40 in) (KNT-76)[6]
Barrel length
  • 406 mm (16.0 in) (MPT-76)
  • 508 mm (20.0 in) (KNT-76)[6]
Cartridge
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire
  • 700 rounds/min (MPT-76)[7]
  • 200 rounds/min (KNT-76)[6]
Muzzle velocity
  • 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) (MPT-76 and KNT-76)[8]
Effective firing range
  • 600 m (660 yd) (MPT-76)[2]
  • 800 m (870 yd) (KNT-76)[6]
Feed system20 or 30-round detachable magazine[2]
SightsIron sights or various optics

The MPT (Turkish: Millî Piyade Tüfeği, English: National Infantry Rifle)[9][10] 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.[11][12] 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][13]

It made its first public appearance at the Eurosatory 2014,[14] ADEX 2014[15][16] and the MSPO 2014 events.[17]

History

After the first prototypes were built in 2008 as the Mehmetçik-1 in 5.56×45mm NATO,[18][19] 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.[14][20] The rifle was reported to be extremely accurate and reliable, and outmatched the G3 in all categories.[21] The Turkish Army plans to gradually phase out its G3 and to make the MPT-76 its main service rifle.[22] Azerbaijan plans to produce parts of the rifle in cooperation with Turkey.[15]

Serial production began in 2015.[23] 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.[24] The second tranche, consisting of 15,014 rifles, was contracted with local company Kalekalip in December 2015.[24]

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

Design

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.[27] The MPT-76 has some ergonomic deviations from what would be considered traditional AR-10 style rifles: the HK417.[14][28] 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.[29]

Variants

The following variants are in production:[30]

Turkish soldier with MPT during an exercise in Poland in 2016

MPT-76MH

The MPT-76-MH is lightened version of standart MPT-76. Weight of the rifle compared to a standard MPT-76 had been reduced by 750g. MPT-76’s unloaded (without magazine) weight as 4.2kg.[31][32]

MPT-55

In May 2017, MKEK introduced the MPT-55 of the MPT, which is chambered in 5.56×45mm. 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 plans to obtain 20,000 of the smaller-caliber rifles to replace license-produced HK416s within special forces.[33]

KNT-76

The KNT (Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği, English: Sniper Rifle, lit. "Sharp Shooter Rifle") is the DMR version of the MPT series. KNT-76 is 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 is reduced by five Newtons which allows the trigger to move with less pressure. This drop prevents the involuntary movement of the barrel due to trigger movement. The KNT-76 weighs 500 grams heavier while the magazine capacity remains the same. The effective range increased from 600 meters to 800 meters thanks to the barrel extending from 406 mm to 508 mm. MOA is reduced to 1.5 MOA in KNT-76 as it was 4 MOA with the MPT-76.[8]

KAAN-717

Turkish soldiers on parade with MPT rifles in 2020

KAAN-717 is the carbine version of the MPT series, chambered in 7.62x51 NATO. Designed for the Special Forces, it uses a short-stroke action. KAAN-717 also comes with a different stock with cheek rest.[34]

Users

  •  Albania: 30 MPT-76s and 30 MPT-55s[35][36][37]
  •  Northern Cyprus: Around 2,500 MPT-76s delivered.[38]
  •  Senegal[39]
  •  Somalia: A total of 450 rifles were delivered to Somalia, which is dealing with an insurgency. Used by Gorgor (Eagle) commandos[40]
  •  Turkey: 66,000 MPT-76 and MPT-55s as of 2019[5]
  •  Kosovo: It was announced in 2023 that Kosovo Security Force has received PMT-76-57A from MKE to mount on ASELSAN SARP equipped armoured vehicles.[41]

Potential users

  •  Azerbaijan[42][43]
  •  Chile: Expressed interest in fully adopting the rifle for military service.[43]
  •  Pakistan[44]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Milli Piyade Tüfeği'nin ilk sevkiyatı yapıldı" (in tr). TRT Haber. 10 May 2014. http://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/milli-piyade-tufeginin-ilk-sevkiyati-yapildi-126913.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Milli Piyade tüfeği üretimine başlandı" (in tr). Hürriyet. 4 July 2011. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/18168251.asp. 
  3. ↑ "'Milli Piyade Tüfeği'nde 40 bin teslimat başarısı". https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/savunma-sanayisinde-yerli-silah-mesaisi/milli-piyade-tufeginde-40-bin-teslimat-basarisi/1560194. 
  4. ↑ https://www.indyturk.com/node/508771/ekonomi%CC%87/bah%C3%A7eli-a%C3%A7%C4%B1klam%C4%B1%C5%9Ft%C4%B1%E2%80%A6-bir-ob%C3%BCs-mermisi-1000-bir-u%C3%A7ak-bombas%C4%B1-3-bin-f16%E2%80%99n%C4%B1n-bir
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "MKEK'de hedef 66 bin silah üretimi". 14 March 2019. https://www.trthaber.com/haber/ekonomi/mkekde-hedef-66-bin-silah-uretimi-408378.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "KNT-76 Manga Tipi Milli Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği". 10 January 2019. http://www.millisavunma.com/knt-76-manga-tipi-milli-keskin-nisanci-tufegi/. 
  7. ↑ "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan'a yerli silahlı koruma" (in tr). http://aa.com.tr/tr/gunun-basliklari/cumhurbaskani-erdogana-yerli-silahli-koruma/934826. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "National Sniper from MKEK: KNT-76". http://c4news.me/9Ioi5. 
  9. ↑ "7.62 mm MPT-76 National Infantry Rifle". NAVDEX. http://www.navdex.ae/page.cfm/action=library/libID=13/libEntryID=737. 
  10. ↑ "MKEK MPT-76 - Modern Firearms" (in en-GB). Modern Firearms. 2014-07-15. http://world.guns.ru/assault/turk/mpt-76-e.html. 
  11. ↑ "Turkey defense spending arms procurement". Al-Monitor. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/01/turkey-defense-spending-arms-procurement.html. 
  12. ↑ "The Turkish HK416: Mehmetçik-1 - The Firearm Blog" (in en-US). The Firearm Blog. 2008-11-07. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/11/07/the-turkish-hk416-mehmetcik-1/. 
  13. ↑ "Milli Piyade Tüfeği'nin ilk prototipleri hazır" (in tr). TRT Türk. http://www.trtturk.com/haber/milli-piyade-tufeginin-ilk-prototipleri-hazir.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Nicholas de Larrinaga (2014-06-18). "Eurosatory 2014: MKEK delivers first MPT-76 rifles to Turkey". Jane's 360. http://www.janes.com/article/39542/eurosatory-2014-mkek-delivers-first-mpt-76-rifles-to-turkey. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "News.Az - Turkey to display MPT-76 infantry rifle at Baku defense exhibition in September". http://www.news.az/articles/society/91266. 
  16. ↑ "ADEX-2014: MKE şirkəti MPT-76 piyada tüfəngini Bakıda sərgiləyəcək" (in az-AZ). Azeridefence. 2014-09-05. http://www.azeridefence.com/news.php?id=8655. 
  17. ↑ "Turkish company MKEK displays its new national infantry rifle MPT-76" (in en-gb). http://www.armyrecognition.com/mspo_2014_official_show_daily_news_coverage_report/turkish_company_mkek_displays_its_new_national_infantry_rifle_mpt-76.html. 
  18. ↑ "The 5.56 X 45mm: 2008". http://www.thegunzone.com/556dw-18.html. 
  19. ↑ "Turkey's Procurement Diplomacy Bears Fruit" (in en). 19 October 2011. http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/10385/turkeys-procurement-diplomacy-bears-fruit. 
  20. ↑ Teknolojioku (2014-06-18). "TSK, ilk parti MPT-76 milli piyade tüfeğine kavuştu" (in tr-TR). http://www.teknolojioku.com/haber/tsk-ilk-parti-mpt-76-milli-piyade-tufegine-kavustu-18795.html. 
  21. ↑ Malyasov, Dylan. "Turkish military to receive locally made MPT-76 rifles". https://defence-blog.com/turkish-military-to-receive-locally-made-rifles/. 
  22. ↑ "The new Turkish MKEK Mehmecik MPT-76 National Rifle". The Firearm Blog. 12 May 2014. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/05/12/turkish-mkek-mehmecik-mpt-76-national-rifle/. 
  23. ↑ "Turkey to begin serial production of MPT-76 rifles | IHS Jane's 360". http://www.janes.com/article/52866/turkey-to-begin-serial-production-of-mpt-76-rifles. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Turkey orders more MPT-76 service rifles | IHS Jane's 360". http://www.janes.com/article/56695/turkey-orders-more-mpt-76-service-rifles. 
  25. ↑ "First MPT-76 rifles delivered to the Turkish Military". The Firearm Blog. 18 January 2017. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/01/18/turkish-military-receive-locally-made-mpt-76-rifles/. 
  26. ↑ "Milli piyade tüfeği 'MPT-76' asker ve polisin gücüne güç kattı" (in tr). 13 December 2018. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/milli-piyade-tufegi-mpt-76-asker-ve-polisin-gucune-guc-katti/1337314. 
  27. ↑ "MKE displays its new MPT-76 rifle" (in en-gb). Eurosatory 2014 Show Daily News Coverage Report. http://www.armyrecognition.com/eurosatory_2014_show_daily_news_coverage_report/mke_displays_its_new_mpt-76_rifle.html. 
  28. ↑ "The Assault Rifles of the Near Future" (in en-US). 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2013-09-19. http://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2013/09/20/the-assault-rifles-of-the-near-future/. 
  29. ↑ Military Arms Channel. ""Shooting the Turkish MPT-76 Infantry Rifle"". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XV9RbE8IWI. 
  30. ↑ "MKEK MPT (Milli Piyade Tufegi) Assault Rifle / Battle Rifle / Assault Carbine - Turkey" (in en-US). http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=943. 
  31. ↑ "MPT-76-MH Passes Turkish Army Qualification -" (in en-US). 2021-02-22. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/02/22/mpt-76-mh-passes-turkish-army-qualification/. 
  32. ↑ Yönetmeni, Teoman Korkmaz / Genel Yayın (2021-02-07). "MPT-76 Artık 3 Kilo 750 Gram" (in tr). https://www.savunmasanayi.org/mpt-76-artik-3750-gram/. 
  33. ↑ "IDEF 2017- MKEK Introduces 5.56x45mm MPT-55 Rifle". 22 May 2017. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/05/22/idef-2017-mkek-introduces-5-56x45mm-mpt-55-rifle/. 
  34. ↑ Kökçü, Ata Ahmet (23 May 2019). "KAAN-717 Karabina Tipi Piyade Tüfeği". https://www.defenceturk.net/kaan-717-karabina-tipi-piyade-tufegi. 
  35. ↑ "Turkey Albania MPT-76 and MPT-55 donated". 26 April 2020. https://raillynews.com/2020/04/turkey-arnavutluka-mpTrim-had-76-and-55-grants-mpTrim/. 
  36. ↑ "Official army site". https://aaf.mil.al/english/te-fundit/2955-technical-protocol-signed-between-the-ministry-of-defense-of-the-republic-of-albania-and-the-ministry-of-national-defense-of-the-republic-of-turkey-for-the-donation-of-30-light-infantry-weapons. 
  37. ↑ "Türki̇ye Arnavutluk'a 30 Adet MPT-76 Ve MPT-55 Hafi̇f Pi̇yade Tüfeği̇ Hi̇be Etti̇" (in tr). 2020-04-26. https://www.savunmasanayi.org/turkiye-arnavutluka-30-adet-mpt-76-ve-mpt-55-hafif-piyade-tufegi-hibe-etti/. 
  38. ↑ "Somalia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Receive MPT76s". 3 November 2017. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/11/03/somalia-turkish-republic-northern-cyprus-receive-mpt76s. 
  39. ↑ "Senegal Silahlı Kuvvetleri'ne KNT-76 Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği teslimatı". 26 December 2020. https://www.defenceturk.net/senegal-silahli-kuvvetlerine-knt-76-keskin-nisanci-tufegi-teslimati. 
  40. ↑ Haber7. "Sınırları aştı! Dünya peşine düştü..." (in tr). http://ekonomi.haber7.com/ekonomi/haber/2460971-sinirlari-asti-dunya-pesine-dustu. 
  41. ↑ "MKE'den Kosova'ya PMT-76-57A ihracatı | SavunmaSanayiST". 21 May 2023. https://www.savunmasanayist.com/mkeden-kosovaya-pmt-76-57a-ihracati/. 
  42. ↑ "News.Az - Turkey to start mass production of national infantry rifle". http://news.az/articles/region/94852. 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Milli Piyade Tüfeği MPT-76'yı ABD de İstiyor, Şili de" (in tr-TR). Haberler.com. http://www.haberler.com/milli-piyade-tufegi-mpt-76-yi-abd-de-istiyor-sili-8277812-haberi/. 
  44. ↑ "Türkiye'den Pakistan'a milyar dolarlık rekor satış geliyor!" (in tr). https://www.donanimhaber.com/savunma-sanayi/haberleri/Turkiyeden-Pakistana-milyar-dolarlik-rekor-satis-geliyor.htm. 



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