MKEK MPT-55
Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu · Assault Rifle · In Service · 2017
Also known as: MPT-55, MPTv5, Milli Piyade Tüfeği 5.56, MPT-56
Overview
The MKEK MPT-55 is a Turkish select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, introduced in 2017 as the 5.56mm caliber variant of the MPT-76 platform. Developed by Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu (MKEK) as part of Turkey's Milli Piyade Tüfeği (National Infantry Rifle) program, the MPT-55 represents Turkey's effort to replace its license-produced Heckler & Koch HK416 rifles with domestically manufactured equivalents. The rifle uses a short-stroke gas piston operating system, a rotating bolt, and accepts standard NATO STANAG magazines. Featuring full ambidextrous controls, a telescoping buttstock, and a Picatinny rail system, the MPT-55 was designed for Turkish Special Forces and elite military units operating across diverse environments - from Mediterranean coastal regions to high-altitude mountain warfare in eastern Anatolia.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3300 g (116.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 930 mm (36.61") |
| Folded Length | 845 mm (33.27") |
| Barrel Length | 370 mm (14.57") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 25 N (5.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1620 J (1195 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm, SS109
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Firing Pin Safety, Bolt Hold Open
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Picatinny Rail Top, Picatinny Rail Sides, Ambidextrous Controls, Ambidextrous Magazine Release, Ambidextrous Bolt Release, Telescoping Stock, Ar Style Charging Handle, Select Fire, Stanag Magazine Compatible
Variants
- MKEK MPT-55K — Carbine
- MKEK MPT-55SK — Compact
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 2017 · as MPT-55
- Turkish Special Forces Command · adopted 2017 · as MPT-55
- Turkish Presidential Guard · adopted 2018 · as MPT-55
- Turkish Gendarmerie · as MPT-55
Conflicts
- Turkish-Kurdish Conflict (2017-present)
- Operation Peace Spring (2019-2019)
- Operation Claw (2019-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 20,000 · Production years: 2017-present
Initial procurement target of 20,000 units to replace HK416 rifles in Turkish Special Forces. Production at MKEK Kırıkkale facility.
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Notes
The MPT-55 was officially unveiled at IDEF 2017 alongside the MPT-55K (carbine variant with 280mm barrel) and MPT-55SK (compact). Turkey planned an initial procurement of 20,000 rifles to replace HK416s within Special Forces. The MPT-55 shares approximately 80% parts commonality with the MPT-76 platform. Designed to NATO interoperability standards including standard STANAG magazine compatibility.
Background
The MPT-55 was first publicly fielded by the Turkish Presidential Guard in 2018 as a symbol of Turkey's growing defense industry self-sufficiency, deliberately replacing the German-designed HK416 rifles previously carried by the unit during state ceremonies. Despite outward similarities to the AR-15/HK416 family, MKEK engineers redesigned key internal components to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers - part of a broader Turkish defense doctrine pushing for indigenous small arms after decades of license production.