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MKE MPT

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article MKE MPT, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 202521 sources
MKE (Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu)
IndustryDefense, firearms manufacturing
Headquarters
Kırıkkale
,
Turkey
ProductsMPT rifle series (MPT-76, MPT-55, KNT-76, KAAN-717)

Overview

The MPT (Turkish: Millî Piyade Tüfeği, lit. 'National Infantry Rifle') represents a versatile rifle series engineered by the MKE and manufactured collaboratively by MKE, Sarsılmaz Arms, and Kalekalıp. This family of modular firearms was developed to fulfill the operational requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces and to supersede older models such as the Heckler & Koch G3 and Heckler & Koch HK33, which were approaching the conclusion of their service periods.

History

The initial prototypes, named Mehmetçik-1 and chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, were developed in 2008 but did not receive favorable evaluations.

Turkish military personnel testing the weapon expressed a preference for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge due to its superior stopping power and extended range, characteristics comparable to those of the then-standard G3 service rifles. Consequently, the Mehmetçik-1 project was discontinued after the prototype stage, prompting engineers to begin a redesign.

The MPT was unveiled to the public for the first time at the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition,[1] followed by its display at ADEX 2014[2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and MSPO 2014 events.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

On 18 May 2014, the initial delivery of 200 MPT-76 rifles took place and garnered positive reviews.[1][3] Turkish soldiers reported the rifle as highly accurate and dependable, outperforming the G3 across all performance metrics.[4][5][6]

Mass production commenced in 2015.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The first production phase plans for a total output of 35,014 MPT-76 units, divided into two batches. The initial batch of 20,000 rifles was awarded to the state-owned Machines and Chemical Industries Board (MKEK) in June 2015.[7] The subsequent batch of 15,014 rifles was contracted to the domestic firm Kalekalip in December 2015.[7]

Design

Main article: AR-15–style rifle

The MPT was engineered to endure harsh conditions at high altitudes and operate reliably across diverse weather extremes, including intense heat and severe cold.

Manufactured by MKE, the MPT rifle is built to withstand rigorous abuse and demanding treatment while preserving exceptional precision and dependability, ensuring its effectiveness in genuine combat scenarios.

Its architecture draws inspiration from the AR-15, with the gas piston mechanism influenced by the HK417. Equipped with a Picatinny rail system, it supports attachments such as an under-barrel shotgun and grenade launcher.

Ergonomically, the MPT-76 diverges from conventional AR-10 style rifles: its buttstock, modeled after the HK417, requires a counter-clockwise rotation of roughly 30 degrees to modify the length of pull.

Additionally, it features an angled foregrip-like polymer mount that connects the lower receiver to the picatinny handguard; this component must be detached during disassembly.

The charging handle is designed with its retention latch on the weapon’s right side, differing from most Stoner-based firearm systems where it is typically positioned on the left.

Variants

Currently produced variants include:

  • Battle Rifle equipped with a 16-inch barrel chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO
  • Carbine featuring a 12-inch barrel chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO
  • Designated Marksman's Rifle with a 20-inch barrel using 7.62×51mm NATO
Turkish soldier carrying an MPT during a 2016 exercise in Poland

MPT-76-MH

The MPT-76-MH represents a lighter variant of the original MPT-76 model. This version has been trimmed by approximately 750 g (1.65 lb) in weight. The unloaded weight of the MPT-76, excluding the magazine, stands at 4.2 kilograms (9.3 lb).

MPT-55

In May 2017, MKEK unveiled the MPT-55, which is chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. The standard model weighs around 7.3 lb (3.3 kg) and features a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel, while the compact MPT-55K variant weighs approximately 6.6 lb (3.0 kg) with an 11 in (280 mm) barrel. Turkey had intentions to procure 20,000 units of these smaller-caliber rifles to replace license-produced HK416 models within its special forces units.

KNT-76

KNT-76 rifle issued by the Turkish Gendarmerie at Teknofest 2025

The KNT-76 (Turkish: Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği, lit. 'Sharp Shooter Rifle') serves as the designated marksman rifle variant. Manufactured at the Kırıkkale Arms Factory alongside the MPT-76, it operates with a semi-automatic "Gas Operated Rotary Bolt Action" system identical to that of the MPT-76. The trigger pull force is decreased by five Newtons compared to the base model. The KNT-76 is roughly 500 g (18 oz) heavier than the standard MPT-76. Its barrel length extends to 508 mm (20.0 in), enhancing its effective range to about 800 m (870 yd). The rifle achieves an accuracy rating of 1.5 MOA (equivalent to 1.5 in (38 mm) at 100 yd (91 m)).

KAAN-717

Turkish troops parading with MPT rifles in 2020

The KAAN-717 is a carbine chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, designed specifically for special forces applications. It utilizes a short-stroke gas piston mechanism and features a distinct stock equipped with a cheek rest for improved ergonomics.

Adoption

The Turkish Armed Forces intend to progressively retire their G3 rifles and designate the MPT-76 as their primary infantry weapon. Azerbaijan has also expressed plans to collaborate with Turkey in manufacturing components for this rifle.

The initial production batch was completed and delivered to Turkish military units in January 2017. By December 2018, approximately 25,000 MPT-76 rifles had been manufactured, with firm orders exceeding 350,000 units as of 2019.

Users

Prospective operators

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Janes
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AZ
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named T
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Turkish military to receive locally made MPT-76 rifles
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Zaptiye
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Savaş
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  8. ↑ "Turkey Albania MPT-76 and MPT-55 donated". raillynews.com. 26 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  9. ↑ "Official army site". Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  10. ↑ "Türki̇ye Arnavutluk'a 30 Adet MPT-76 Ve MPT-55 Hafi̇f Pi̇yade Tüfeği̇ Hi̇be Etti̇". Savunma Sanayi (in Türkçe). 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  11. ↑ https://www.military.africa/2024/10/cameroon-special-forces-adopts-turkish-made-mpt-76-assault-rifles/
  12. ↑ "თურქულმა მხარემ თავდაცვის ძალების სპეციალური ოპერაციების სარდლობას მოიერიშე შაშხანები გადასცა". mod.gov.ge (in ქართული). 16 March 2025.
  13. ↑ "MKE'den Kosova'ya PMT-76-57A ihracatı | SavunmaSanayiST". 21 May 2023.
  14. ↑ "Turska donirala automatske puške Vojsci Crne Gore". 23 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "Somalia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Receive MPT76s". TheFireArmBlog.com. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018.
  16. ↑ "Senegal Silahlı Kuvvetleri'ne KNT-76 Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği teslimatı". 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  17. ↑ Haber7. "Sınırları aştı! Dünya peşine düştü..." Haber7 (in Türkçe). Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto
  19. ↑ "News.Az - Turkey to begin large-scale production of domestic infantry rifle". news.az. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "The MPT-76 Infantry Rifle draws interest from the US and Chile". Haberler.com (in Türkçe). Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  21. ↑ "Record billion-dollar defense deal from Turkey to Pakistan announced!" (in Türkçe). Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-31.

External links

  • Media related to MPT-76 at Wikimedia Commons

Template:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives Template:Turkish Army infantry weapons

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