The Senegalese military has recently been seen fielding the Turkish-made 7.62 x 51 mm KNT-76 designated marksman rifle, also known as the Automatic Precision Rifle. Pictures of the rifle in use by the Senegalese military were published on social media in December 2024 during a military exercise.
Earlier in January 2024, the KNT-76 was also spotted during a Senegalese Navy Special Forces demonstration as part of the Navy’s 49th Anniversary celebrations.
The KNT-76, known in Turkish as Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği (‘Sniper Rifle’ or ‘Sharp Shooter Rifle’), is the designated marksman rifle version of the MPT-76. Produced at the Kırıkkale Arms Factory, the KNT-76 features the same “Gas Operated Rotary Bolt Action” mechanism and can fire semi-automatically.
This rifle is an upgraded version of the MPT-76 service rifle, incorporating several design enhancements to improve its accuracy and precision as a squad-level designated marksman rifle (DMR). Unlike the MPT-76, which is manufactured by three different Turkish arms companies (MKE, Kales, and Sarsilmaz), the KNT-76 is solely produced by MKE.
On the other hand, the MPT-76 assault rifle are currently in use by the Sudanese army in its ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Force (RSF).
The KNT-76 is known for its accuracy, with MKE stating that the rifle is accurate to 1.5 MOA (Minute of Angle). This level of precision makes it a valuable asset for the Senegalese military, enhancing their capabilities in various operational scenarios.
The introduction of the KNT-76 into the Senegalese military arsenal reflects the growing defense cooperation between Senegal and Turkey. The rifle’s advanced features and reliability are expected to significantly bolster the effectiveness of Senegalese forces in both training and combat situations.
Meanwhile in 2019, the United States delivered 2,200 M4 carbines worth $1.6 million to the Senegalese military through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to Senegal. The small arms were requested by Senegal alongside complimentary training for onward deployment to Mali.
