Istiglal anti-materiel rifle

Istiglal Ist-14.5
Type	Anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin	Azerbaijan
Service history
In service	2008–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	RPE Automatic Lines
Designed	2008
Manufacturer	Telemexanika zavodu, parent organization Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan
Produced	2008–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Mass	33.8 kg (74 lbs) [1] 28 kg (61.6 lbs) (new version) [2]
Length	2256 mm (89")
Barrel length	1300 mm (51")
Cartridge	14.5×114mm, 12.7×108mm
Action	Recoil-operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity	1,132 m/s (3,714 ft/s)
Effective firing range	(14.5×114mm) 3,000 m (9,843 ft) - 4,000 m (13,123 ft) +
Feed system	5-round detachable box magazine

The Istiglal IST-14.5 anti-materiel rifle (also known as the Istiglal) is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel sniper rifle produced by Telemexanika zavodu, subsidiary of the Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan.[3]

14.5×114mm ammunition in the Istiglal's 5-round detachable box magazine

History

Although developed in 2008, it was only revealed in 2009 during the International Defense Exhibition Fair.[4][5] Its appearance has attracted a huge number of visitors.[6]

The Istiglal anti-materiel rifle uses the powerful 14.5×114mm round.[7][8]

It has been exported to the Turkish Armed Forces and the Pakistan Armed Forces.[9]

Technical description

The Istiglal can be taken down into 2 separate components for easy transportation.[10][11] The rifle is said to be operable in adverse weather, such as rain and dirt with temperature ranges from −50 to 50 °C (−58 to 122 °F).[10][11]

Variants

Mubariz

A 12.7×108mm version of the Istiglal 14.5mm anti-materiel sniper rifle introduced by the Ministry of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan. The 12.7mm Mubariz sniper rifle is much lighter in comparison to the Istiglal at 15 kg (33 pounds) with a five-round magazine.[2]

Users

•  Azerbaijan: In use by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.[7]
•  Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army; more planned to be procured.[9]
•  Turkey: The Turkish Armed Forces is interested in importing the rifle and is having talks with the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.[12] An unknown number of Istiglals were purchased.[9] In April 2011, Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation announced that sniper rifle, which will be produced jointly, will differ much from the model that is being tested in Azerbaijan.[13][14] Changes will be made in the design, weight and some systems of the weapon. The production of IST-12.7 sniper rifle in Turkey is the first military production transfer of Azerbaijan.[15]

See also

• Yalguzag sniper rifle
• Snipex T-Rex
• Snipex Alligator

References

1. "Modern Firearms". 16 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
2. "Bigger Is No Longer Better". strategypage.com. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
3. "Azerbaijan keeps producing military hardware to address national and international demand | April 2020 News Defense Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year".
4. "Azerbaijan-produced sniper rifles and armors to be demonstrated at an exhibition in Istanbul". Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
5. "Products being produced in the Facilities of the Ministry of Defense Industry will be showcased for the first time in the 9th International Defense Exhibition Fair". Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. 2009-04-24. Archived from the original on 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
6. "International Defense Exhibition Fair (IDEF-2009) was over". Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. 2009-01-05. Archived from the original on 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
7. "Azerbaijan to produce new version of Istiglal rifle". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
8. Азербайджан готовится представить новую версию снайперской винтовки (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
9. "Necessary to prepare for war inside the country even in Baku, military expert". Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
10. "Azerbaijan's "Istiglal" rifle becomes interesting for the world". 2009-04-29. Archived from the original on 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
11. "AZERBAIJAN'S "ISTIGLAL" RIFLE BECOMES INTERESTING FOR THE WORLD". 2009-04-30. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
12. Rashad Suleymanov (2009-02-10). "Turkey takes interest in Azerbaijan-made sniper rifle". Archived from the original on 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
13. "Production of Azerbaijan-made sniper rifle IST-12.7 likely to start in Turkey". news.az. Archived from the original on 2 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
14. "В этом году в Турции могут начать производство азербайджанской снайперской винтовки". Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
15. "Azerbaycan mühendislerinin yaptığı "İstiklal" snaypırı Türkiye'de seri üretime girebilir". 1News.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.