Good bye G3, hello H&K 416

[ersoz]

It happened at last.
Turkish army decided it was time to modernize the infantry so...
Turkish Ministry of Defense announced they will be switching from the G3 7.62mm rifle to the HK416 aptly renamed Mehmetcik 1. (Mehmetcik is a nickname for Turkish infantry men.)
The first AR I ever used, the H&K G3, has been my beloved since early adulthood. Just like many millions of Turks before me. And now it's official. It is a sad day really. It's "kick" and deafening sound will be missed.

[mpe2010]

I thought they had already adopted it and used it in combat. I guess not

[mpe2010]

Never mind, I was thinking of Norway.

[Nyles]

Out with the old, in with the new, huh? I felt a little of that recently when I found out my unit is getting re-equipped with C7A2s (I used one when I was attached to 1 PPCLI overseas, but I've always trained with an A1 at home).

Will there still be conscription or are they going entirely to contract-based service?

[ersoz]

Actually both.
15 month long mandatory military service for all able bodied Turkish men still exists. Contract based service is optional to those who have completed their mandatory military services.

I'm guessing that this rifle switch will take about a year. They will be manufactured here in Turkey just like the G3 series. I wonder what will happen to those millions of G-3s?

[S&Wshooter]

Originally Posted by ersoz

Actually both.
15 month long mandatory military service for all able bodied Turkish men still exists. Contract based service is optional to those who have completed their mandatory military services.

I'm guessing that this rifle switch will take about a year. They will be manufactured here in Turkey just like the G3 series. I wonder what will happen to those millions of G-3s?

Storage? Maybe police use