Türkiye's 1st multi-caliber sniper rifle ready to launch

By Goksel Yildirim

IZMIR, Türkiye (AA) – Türkiye's first multi-caliber sniper rifle, KN-12, will enter the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory this month, an official said.

Designed and developed by Türkiye's Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) in line with the needs and demands of the armed forces, the one-meter rifle weighs 7.2 kilograms, MKE General Manager Yasin Akdere told Anadolu Agency.

Speaking during the EFES-2022 Combined Joint Actual Fire Field Exercise in the Aegean city Izmir, Akdere stated that the rifle has the capability of using two different calibers of ammunition – 7.62 and 8.59 millimeters.

As part of the exercise, the MKE exhibits its light and heavy weapon systems.

He stressed that the rifle, with a 1,500-meter (0.93 mile) range, has successfully completed the tough qualification tests within the scope of NATO standards.

He said the MKE has received important and positive feedback from friendly and allied countries about the rifle.

Negotiations and marketing activities regarding the KN-12 rifle continue, he said and added: "We will significantly increase our contribution to exports in the defense industry by signing important contracts in the coming days.”

* Writing by Gokhan Ergocun from Istanbul