MKE’s new infantry rifle, based on the MPT-76, chambered in 7.62x39 mm Russian ammunition, was shared on the company’s official X account in use by a soldier.
The timing and snowy location suggest that MKE-739 might have been tested alongside the MMT-76 light machine gun in the Kars Winter Exercise. Compared to the prototype exhibited in SAHA EXPO 2024, the rifle shared by MKE has a semi-transparent polymer magazine instead of an AK-pattern magazine.
MKE-739 shares its layout and some components with the MPT-76, which is a different magazine that will accept AK-pattern magazines. This gives the rifle an edge in special cases for both domestic use and export.
For domestic use, operation zones like Iraq and Syria contain large stocks of 7.62x39 mm ammunition and AK-pattern magazines, which allow soldiers to replenish their ammunition without waiting for supply transports. This can benefit special forces units operating on minimal logistical support.
For export, many countries, including ex-Soviet and African ones, use 7.62x39 mm firearms in large numbers. MKE-739’s compatibility with existing ammunition stocks is a reason for the preference for those looking for a modern infantry rifle without a painful transition process.
