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The new trump card of the Serbian Army (VS) and the national defense industry is the M-19 Modular Automatic Rifle (MAP). It is already known to the public as a unique and interesting weapon in two calibers: 6.5mm “Grendel” and the well-known 7.62mm. The bullet for the first caliber is also a product of the national defense industry, while the 7.62mm bullet has been the standard rifle caliber of our army for decades, created for the legendary “Kalashnikov.”
This may not be as attractive to the general public as aircraft or missile systems, but it is arguably just as important. The standard military rifle and standard rifle caliber are among the fundamental problems of every army. The announcement of a new rifle, and especially a new caliber, raised suspicions among some gun connoisseurs, which is not surprising as the dominance of the standard “oriental” (Russian) 7.62mm caliber and. “western” (NATO) 5. 56 mm.
(Photo Ministry of Defense)
Why did the Serbian defense industry and the Armed Forces create and choose a modular M-19 rifle in two calibers?
– The main reason for the search for the optimal “rifle-bullet-target” system of the Armed Forces began with the need to improve the fire efficiency of our infantry units, that is, to increase precision, range and lethality against enemy equipped with standard ballistic protective equipment – they say in the Ministry of Defense.
As indicated in the written responses to “Politika” questions, the M-19 rifle was introduced into the armament of the Armed Forces in the second quarter of this year. During this quarter, it is planned to contract the first larger quantities of these rifles for the needs of the army. Training of soldiers in the handling of these weapons and basic maintenance is ongoing.
– The planning and program documents adopted for equipping the infantry units of the Armed Forces with small arms define the subsequent equipping of the aforementioned units of the Armed Forces with MAP 19 as part of the active army. Smaller quantities of 5.56mm M-21 rifles will continue to be used in the active military, primarily due to our units’ involvement in multinational operations, in order to meet interoperability requirements. The 7.62mm M-70 automatic rifles will continue to be used in military units, according to the letter from the Ministry of Defense to “Politika”.
It is expected, they point out, that the basic caliber in units armed with MAP M-19 will be 6.5 mm, and a 7.62 caliber bullet would be used during training or in the event that, during possible actions, ammunition runs out 6.5 mm caliber. By the way, there are 7.62mm bullets in large quantities in VS stocks, and it is also available in the market.
(Photo Ministry of Defense)
Many wondered what the daily life of soldiers would be like if the change in the caliber of the M-19 rifle required the change of the barrel and frame of the ammunition. Will it take an extra tube and frames?
– Soldier borrows MAP M-19 with 6.5mm and 7.62mm cannons, ammo frames, and spare tools and accessories, provided the 7.62mm cannon is used only in the absence of a bullet. 6.5mm and possibly during training. A soldier armed with MAP M-19 on a mission will exclusively carry MAP-19 with a suitable barrel and frames, without another barrel and frame of another caliber, they specify in the Ministry of Defense.
Many Western countries are equipped with modular systems, with the possibility of replacing guns and caliber ammunition to increase fire efficiency in various tactical situations, according to the Defense Ministry. This is exactly the path traveled by the defense industry and the Armed Forces.
And others, regardless of the representation of the existing ones, are looking for a new rifle caliber. In the United States, it can be said that, from a technical point of view, the revolutionary project “Departmental Weapons of the New Generation” is underway, introducing the use of a 6.8 mm caliber rifle bullet.
Branko Bogdanović, a connoisseur of small arms and the author of several books on this topic, explains that the US Army is essentially working on replacing the M-4 automatic rifle and M-249 machine guns (5.56 mm caliber). ) for weapons that will use the new ammo.
– The 6.8 mm bullet of the Serbian Orthodox Church of the company “Tru Velositi” has the best possibilities, when the novelty is a projectile made of composite materials. However, ammunition from other manufacturers is still in play. “Zig zauer” competes with a less traditional bullet when the brass sleeve has a stainless steel dance, the idea is that the bullet withstands higher pressures and, at the same time, saves on its mass – says Bogdanović.
In addition to the 6.8 SPC ammunition, “Tekstron” also works on the so-called bullet with a telescopic shell – 6.8 mm CT, which consists of a cylindrical polymer “container” with a special capsule, containing a filler with “sunken” grain. . According to Bogdanović, this significantly shortens the length and weight of the ammunition, but sets new conditions for the builders; Among other things, the frames and bearing must conform to the correct cylindrical shape of the ammunition.
– This example better indicates that none of the most powerful armies has yet been determined for a single caliber, ammunition type and weapon system, but also on the path our builders have taken. After the data on the domestic modular rifle was published, several comments appeared, and there were also negative comments. It is possible that the causes of such attitudes lie in a lack of information or insufficient knowledge, believes Bogdanović.
Domestic bullet inspired by the American model.
The fact that the Air Force has a large number of M-70 rifles and 7.62 mm caliber bullets encouraged the construction team “Zastava Oruzja”, led by engineer Aleksandar Mladenovic, to start developing a new rifle that you can still use this ammo. As for the 6.5 mm “Grendel” bullet, it was created according to the American model, but it is a perfected product of the “First Partisan” of Uzice (PPU). The factory team worked on this bullet, in which the engineer Mihailo Topalović played a prominent role.
– In essence, the further development of MAP-19 was initiated by Nenad Miloradović, Deputy Minister of Defense for Material Resources. In cooperation with the “Zastava Oruzje” factory, work began on the rifle and the PPU began constructive changes of ammunition, mainly shell casings, with a reinforced dance due to increased pressures, explains Bogdanović.
According to him, the M-19 rifle will be equipped with the M-20 optical sight, which is a product of the “Teleoptik-gyroscope”, and the NT35 thermal imaging sight.
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