MPT-76

MPT-76
MKEK MPT-76 with a bipod that retracts and doubles as a forward handgrip
Type	Battle rifle Assault rifle (MPT-55)
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
Mass	4.1 kg (9.0 lb)
Length	920 mm (36 in)[2]
Barrel length	406 mm (16.0 in)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700 rounds/min[3]
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: Millî Piyade Tüfeği, English: National Infantry Rifle)^[4][5] 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.^[6][7] The MPT-76 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][8] The Turkish government has invested USD 22 million into the project.^[6]

It made its first public appearance at the Eurosatory 2014,^[9] ADEX 2014^[10][11] and the MSPO 2014 events.^[12]

History

After the first prototypes were built in 2008 as the Mehmetçik-1 in 5.56×45mm NATO,^[13][14] 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.^[9][15] 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.^[16] Azerbaijan plans to produce parts of the rifle in cooperation with Turkey.^[10]

Serial production began in 2015.^[17] 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.^[18] The second tranche, consisting of 15,014 rifles, was contracted with local company Kalekalip in December 2015.^[18]

The first batch of rifles was ready for delivery to the Turkish military in January 2017.^[19]

Design

Its design was based on the AR-15, but with the gas piston system influenced by the HK417.^[9][20] It has a Picatinny rail system and mounting options for an under-barrel shotgun and grenade launcher.^[21]

Variants

The following are planned to be in production:^[22]

• 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

MPT-55

In May 2017, MKEK introduced the MPT-55 of the MPT-76, 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.^[23]

Users

•  Azerbaijan: Requested to take part in the project as a fellow Turkic nation. Ordered an unknown number of rifles with an eventual intent of full adoption for service.^[24][25]
•  Northern Cyprus: Around 2,500 MPT-76s delivered.^[26]
•  Turkey: Received 5,000 MPT-76 rifles out of the ordered 46,500 in 2015 as preliminary production distribution units for various special forces divisions. In November 2016 the Turkish Undersecretary of Defense announced that an initial low rate production of 200,000 units will be produced for the military. The Turkish Armed Forces eventually plan 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 from service.^{[citation needed]}
•  Somalia: A total of 450 rifles were delivered to Somalia, which is dealing with an insurgency.^[27]

Potential Users

•  Chile: Expressed interest in fully adopting the rifle for military service.^[25]
•  Pakistan^[28]

See also

• List of battle rifles

References

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