Turkey Ramps up Modern Infantry Rifle MPT-76
200 MPT-76 Modern Infantry Rifles were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces within the scope of the first lot in 2014 and as part of the programme, the serial production procedure initiated with the signing of the contract by the SSM and MKEK. The Serial Production Period Contract was signed at an amount of 80 million TL ($30 million). It was noted that Turkish Armed Forces’ requirement for 7,62 mm infantry rifles would be covered with the MPT-76’s that would be manufactured within the scope of the project and they are planned to replace the 700,000 old versions of infantry rifles at the Armed Forces’ inventory within the next 20 years according to Turkey’s requirements. The MPT-76 Serial Production project was qualified under tough circumstances, initially fulfilling Armed Forces’ requirements, and then in the second stage, aiming to cover the needs of the allied countries.
Turkey’s first locally designed Modern Infantry Rifle
The Project was launched in 2009 and following the design and development activities, the test and verification processes were exercised and accomplished successfully in November 2013 according to the international military standards and procedures adopted by NATO. The technical features of the rifle were determined considering the concept of operation and task requirements identified by the Turkish Armed Forces. All intellectual and property rights of MPT-76, completely designed and manufactured by Turkish engineers and employees, are owned by SSM. Design, verification, production and quality control phases of MPT-76 were completed and applications for international licenses have been made. This is Turkey’s first nationally manufactured infantry rifle in 150years.
At the first stage, 200 Modern Infantry MTP -76 Rifles were delivered to the Land Forces Command on 9 May 2014. With its four-way MIL-1913 NATO standard, modular installation the MPT-76 is suitable for optic use both night and day and it was designed indigenously by the efforts of Turkish engineers.; the MPT-76 assures its user with its free swinging and long lasting barrel, produced through the cold forging method and has a 12 graded gun stroke with zero adjustment.
