The Turkish Armed Forces, the largest among European NATO member states, has begun receiving the first of the new MKEK MPT-76, its new standard service and combat battle rifle, and one designed to withstand tremendous abuse in the field.

The indigenous MPT-76 is replacing the outmoded Heckler & Koch G-3 battle rifle first produced over six decades ago.  MPT is an acronym of the Turkish phrase "Milli Piyade Tüfeği," which translates into National Infantry Rifle.

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This MPT-76 fires the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge out to an effective distance of 600 meters. Its rate of fire stands at 650 rounds per minute. The battle rifle alone weighs 4.1 kg; is 920 mm long and comes with a 20-round magazine.

Its design was based on the U.S. ArmaLite AR-15 automatic rifle but with the gas piston system influenced by the Heckler & Koch HK417 battle rifle.

The MPT-76 has a Picatinny rail system and mounting options for an underbarrel shotgun and grenade launcher. Its forward hand grip doubles as a bipod. 

Production of the MPT-76 began in 2016 and the armed forces plans to buy least 500,000 MPT-76s. There are some 640,000 personnel in the armed forces, of which some 315,000 belong to the Turkish Land Forces or the Turkish Army.

The modular rifle, which was designed and is being produced by the state-owned firm, Mechanical and Chemical Industry (MKEK Kalekalıp), was developed in accordance with the slogan "Effective as the G-3. Reliable as the AK-47. And practical as the M-16."

But more impressive than these specs is the battle rifle's design concept. 

The MPT-76 was designed for robust high altitude, all-weather combat. It can keep on firing in extremely hot and cold weather.

This new battle rifle was designed and built to withstand abuse and extreme mistreatment while still maintaining high accuracy and reliability. Over one million rounds of ammunition were expended in testing the rifle. 

TagsTurkish Armed Forces, NATO, MKEK MPT-76, Heckler & Koch G-3, Milli Piyade Tüfeği, MPT-76, Mechanical and Chemical Industry