The Turkish Modernized PKM, The MMT Modern Machine Gun
In 2021, the Turkish state-owned company Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) introduced a new machine gun called the MMT, which stands for Modern Machine Gun. This development is not unique, as other NATO countries, such as Poland and Bulgaria, have previously produced their versions of the PKM chambered for the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge. These models include the UKM-2000/2013, MG-1M, and MG-M2. Some modifications made to these machine guns are simple. In contrast, others involve nearly redesigning the entire weapon to accommodate M-13 disintegrating links and a push-through feed system, resulting in a gun that closely resembles the PKM.
MKE designed the MMT for the Turkish Armed Forces. After factory tests, it will be presented to the Turkish Armed Forces for government testing in 2023. As development and testing continue, the MMT has attracted the attention of several international customers. Several African countries have contacted MKE and expressed interest in the MMT.
Developed for the Turkish Armed Forces, if adopted, it could replace several different machine gun models in the Turkish arsenal. Using a variety of machine guns was a logistical nightmare, but it allowed them to see what they liked and didn’t like. This resulted in a lightweight, reliable PKM-based weapon.
This design is newer and more thought out than the Bulgarian MG-2M or Polish UKM-2000/2013. One advantage of the PKM over other machine guns used by Turkey is that it is lighter and much more maneuverable. The design of the MMT 7.62x51 shows that they are still trying to hold onto those advantages of the PKM while modernizing it to accept modern optics and enablers.
If you’ve ever fired a PK or PKM, you know that if your arm is positioned incorrectly, the spent brass can leave love marks as it ejects at the 7 to 8 o’clock position at Mach 3. One part of the MMT modernization of the PKM system is a simple brass deflector that redirects the brass to the 9 to 10 o’clock position, keeping it clear of the operator.
The MMT machine gun is a long-stroke, gas-operated, belt-fed weapon that fires fully automatic from an open bolt position. It features a rotating bolt mechanism. The MMT utilizes PK-pattern steel and non-disintegrating belts, retaining the PK's original two-stage feed system. It offers belt capacities of 50, 100, 200 rounds, and possibly 25.
This design is similar to the Bulgarian MG-1M and the Chinese CS/LM4, which are copies of the 7.62x51 PKM. Like the PKM, the MMT can be fed from a gun-mounted 100-round ammunition to enhance mobility.
The MMT receiver is made from stamped steel with attached sling loops on either side. The gun is equipped with a fluted barrel that increases the surface area for cooling while reducing weight. It also features a combination gas block and a front sight block with a folding sight. The design includes a quick-change barrel feature common to the PKM machine gun and a multi-position manual gas regulator. The MMT is 1.5 lbs. (just over half a kilogram) heavier than the PKM, a trade-off that supports this weapon's modernization features.
The MMT is equipped with a lightweight folding bipod attached to the piston tube, designed for use by dismounted infantry. It features a non-folding, retractable shoulder stock. Contrary to modern trends, remove the barrel for easier storage if the overall length needs to be reduced. This also reduces weight and eliminates a possible failure point. The weapon includes a PK-style rear sight and a full-length Picatinny rail on the feed tray cover for attaching enablers. The monolithic rail piece gives this gun the advantage over other PKM copies.
Additionally, the MMT can be mounted on tripods. It comes with mounting hardware compatible with Stepanov-pattern tripod mounts, and the Turkish tripod, which has been adapted or developed for PK series guns, includes a traverse and elevation mechanism. A conceptual image illustrates the MMT mounted on a Pintel adapter, as shown on a US M192 tripod.
The MMT has a rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute and weighs 17.64 lbs. (8 kg). Its effective ranges are similar to those of the U.S. counterparts, achieving the following specifications: on a bipod, it can target point objects at 600 meters and area targets at 800 meters; on a tripod, point targets can be engaged at 800 meters, and area targets at 1,100 meters, with a suppression effective range of 1,800 meters and a maximum range of 3,725 meters.
Thoughts
The MMT is a modernized version of the reliable and combat-tested PKM. The PKM is known for having one of the best and most dependable operating mechanisms available. While the gun's modernization is impressive, what stands out even more about it is the tripod adapters for the PK series mounting hardware; this is not new, as US companies, such as Military Systems Group and others, have already done this. But this feature alone can potentially elevate the gun's performance significantly. Turkey's arms production is renowned for the “quality” of its firearms, so I am eager to see how this weapon develops and performs and which customers or countries choose to adopt it.
Sources:
Lynndon Schooler is an open-source weapons intelligence professional with a background as an infantryman in the US Army. His experience includes working as a gunsmith and production manager in firearm manufacturing, as well as serving as an armorer, consultant, and instructor in nonstandard weapons. His articles have been published in Small Arms Review and the Small Arms Defence Journal. https://www.instagram.com/lynndons
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These foreign gun overviews read like ads or ai. Idk, something is off. it’s like he lets the company making the gun write the article. Bc it’s only ever good.
“Turkey's arms production is renowned for the “quality” of its firearms. Like this isn’t true, and why is “quality” in quotes.makes no sense.