MKEK MPT 76 Milli Piyade Tüfeği National Rifle

Turkish defense manufacturer MKEK (Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu) began development of a new assault rifle for Turkish armed forces in around 2007. By 2008, MKEK produced a 5. 56mm rifle called Mehmetçik1, based on German HK 416 rifle. After several years of tests and development, Turkish army reevaluated its requirements, and, based on its actual combat experience with various calibers in service in HK G3, 7. 62x39 in Kalashnikov AKM and 5. 56x45 in HK 33), decided to stay with 7. 62x51 NATO round for its next army rifle. As a result, in May 2014 MKEK delivered first batch of 7. 62x51mm MKEK MPT76 automatic rifles to Turkish army. MPT stands for Milli Piyade Tüfeği, or National Infantry Rifle in English. MKEK MPT76 rifle appears to be visually and technically similar to German HK 417 rifle. Fate the 5. 56mm Mehmetçik1 rifle is uncertain at this point (May, 2014). MKEK MPT76 rifle is gas operated, selectfire weapon. It uses short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, and AR10, Ar1