Pakistan reaches out to Turkey for MPT-76 Assault Rifle, to counter Indian Army's new Russian beast, Ak-203

Source : Times Now

With India about to manufacture Russian-designed Kalashnikov assault rifles in a VIP constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Pakistan is reaching out to Turkey, the only other major defence supplier it has, apart from China, for an equivalent weapon.

Pakistan has reached out to Turkey’s state-owned ASFAT for the MPT-6 assault rifles for its army. The Pakistan army has asked for some rifles and ammunition for trials to be conducted in Pakistan.  ASFAT has a lighter version of the MPT-76. This is the one Pakistan wants to try out. Pakistan ordnance factories want to manufacture 100,000 MPT-76 assault rifles in its ordnance factories after a transfer of technology and the contract is likely to be signed in mid-2022. 

Besides, Pakistan is also in discussions with Truvelo, a South African firm, for a transfer of technology to manufacture assault rifles. These could be manufactured at the Pakistan Ordnance Factory in Wah. Truvelo’s Raptor is a particularly sought-after assault rifle.

Turkey also supplies naval weaponry, particularly corvettes to Pakistan. Besides China, it is perhaps the only country has supplies big-ticket military equipment to Pakistan.