MKE MPT

The MPT (stands for , ) 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. 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. The Turkish government has invested US$22 million into the project.
It made its first public appearance at the Eurosatory 2014, ADEX 2014 and the MSPO 2014 events.
History.
After the first prototypes were built in 2008 as the Mehmetçik-1 in 5.56×45mm NATO, 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 18 May 2014 and received positive feedback. 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. Azerbaijan plans to produce parts of the rifle in cooperation with Turkey.
Serial production began in 2015. 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. The second tranche, consisting of 15,014 rifles, was contracted with local company Kalekalip in December 2015.
The first batch of rifles was ready for delivery to the Turkish military in January 2017. Approximately 25,000 MPT-76s have been built by December 2018 and there is 350,000+ firm order for the rifle in 2019.
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.
Variants.
The following variants are in production:
MPT-76.
The MPT-76 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon, chambered for a standard NATO 7.62×51mm ammunition. Number in the designation denotes the 7.62 mm caliber. There is also an MPT-56 assault rifle, chambered for the standard NATO 5.56×45mm ammunition. However, as of 2016 the 5.56×45mm version was not adopted. It looks like the Turkish soldiers preferred the more powerful 7.62×51mm round over the 5.56×45mm due to longer range and penetration.
MPT-55.
In May 2017, MKEK introduced the MPT-55 of the MPT, which is chambered in 5.56×45mm. The standard version is with a barrel, and the shorter MPT-55K is with an barrel. Turkey plans to obtain 20,000 of the smaller-caliber rifles to replace license-produced HK416s within special forces.
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.
KAAN-717.
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.