Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 17 /Trend E.Mehdiyev/
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence Industry has created a new 7.62 x 51mm calibre sniper rifle meeting the NATO standards, Defence Industry Minister Yavar Jamalov told reporters on Monday.
"The rifle's range is 1000 metres, its magazine contains 10 bullets and it weighs 7.1 kilogrammes," the minister said.
In addition, a machine gun has been created, Jamalov added.
The minister said the machine gun is designed for use in exploration and active hostilities during special operations. He noted that the machine gun's firing range is 1000 metres, it weighs seven pounds and its length is 1080 mm.
Moreover, some work has been carried out on the improvement of the 14.5mm calibre sniper rifle, he said.
"The sniper rifle's weight has been reduced from 35 to 28 kilogrammes and a number of technical changes have been made. Work is underway on the creation of a 23 mm calibre sniper rifle and its mass production is planned," Jamalov said.
In addition, based on the ARV (armoured reconnaissance and patrol vehicle), a new reconnaissance vehicle has been produced, Jamalov said.
The enemy's land and air targets can be hit by this machine, he said.
Jamalov said this machine is equipped with a 23 mm calibre canon, a 7.62mm calibre twin machine gun mount, an AQ-17 grenade launcher and other military equipment.
The minister emphasised that work is underway on armament with modernised armoured vehicles built under domestic production.
"The 12.7, 14.5, 20, 23 and 30 mm calibre bullets are manufactured for these machines meaning there is no need to purchase bullets from abroad," Jamalov said.
The ministry developed a 15-barrel rocket fire system based on the MT LB machine, the minister said.
"This system is designed to defeat enemy manpower, cover-ups and military equipment and 57mm calibre rockets are used in the equipment of this machine," Jamalov said.
The minister went on to note that a new post-patrol Gurza machine has been created.
"This machine is equipped with two 7.62-mm calibre and one 12.7 mm calibre machine guns. The machine is designed for the law enforcement agencies," the head of ministry said.