Istiglal anti-materiel rifle explained

Istiglal Ist-14.5
Origin:	Azerbaijan
Type:	Anti-materiel rifle
Is Ranged:	yes
Service:	2008–present
Used By:	See Users
Designer:	RPE Automatic Lines
Design Date:	2008
Manufacturer:	Telemexanika zavodu, parent organization Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan
Production Date:	2008–present
Variants:	See Variants
Weight:	33.8 kg (74 lbs) ^[1] 28 kg (61.6 lbs) (new version)
Length:	2256 mm (89")
Part Length:	1300 mm (51")
Cartridge:	14.5×114mm, 12.7×108mm
Action:	Recoil-operated, rotating bolt
Velocity:	1132m/s
Range:	(14.5×114mm) 30000NaN0 - 40000NaN0 +
Feed:	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.^[2]

History

Although developed in 2008, it was only revealed in 2009 during the International Defense Exhibition Fair.^{[3] [4]} Its appearance has attracted a huge number of visitors.^[5]

The Istiglal anti-materiel rifle uses the powerful 14.5×114mm round.^{[6] [7]}

It has been exported to the Turkish Armed Forces and the Pakistan Armed Forces.^[8]

Technical description

The Istiglal can be taken down into 2 separate components for easy transportation.^{[9] [10]} The rifle is said to be operable in adverse weather, such as rain and dirt with temperature ranges from -50C50C.^{[9] [10]}

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.^[11]

Users

• Azerbaijan: In use by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.^[6]
• Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army; more planned to be procured.^[8]
• 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.^[8] 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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Modern Firearms . 16 November 2012 . 2013-01-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119013756/http://world.guns.ru/sniper/large-caliber-sniper-rifles/az/istiglal_14_5-e.html . 2012-11-19 . live .
2. Web site: 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 .
3. Web site: Azerbaijan-produced sniper rifles and armors to be demonstrated at an exhibition in Istanbul. 2009-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20090130112859/http://today.az/news/politics/50310.html. 2009-01-30. live.
4. Web site: 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. 2009-07-03. 2009-04-24. Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. https://web.archive.org/web/20101126110837/http://mdi.gov.az/?%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fview%2F36%2F. 2010-11-26. live.
5. Web site: International Defense Exhibition Fair (IDEF-2009) was over. 2009-07-03. 2009-01-05. Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. https://web.archive.org/web/20101126110917/http://mdi.gov.az/?%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fview%2F37%2F. 2010-11-26. live.
6. Web site: Azerbaijan to produce new version of Istiglal rifle. 2009-10-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717062724/http://www.defpro.com/news/details/10421/. 2011-07-17. dead.
7. Web site: http://www.rosbalt.ru/2009/10/12/679683.html. ru:Азербайджан готовится представить новую версию снайперской винтовки. 2009-10-13. ru. https://web.archive.org/web/20091015030544/http://www.rosbalt.ru/2009/10/12/679683.html. 2009-10-15. live.
8. Web site: Necessary to prepare for war inside the country even in Baku, military expert. 2010-01-24. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120301072858/http://www.news.az/articles/7152. 2012-03-01.
9. Web site: Azerbaijan's "Istiglal" rifle becomes interesting for the world. 2009-07-03. 2009-04-29. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100217102409/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=101329. 2010-02-17.
10. Web site: AZERBAIJAN'S "ISTIGLAL" RIFLE BECOMES INTERESTING FOR THE WORLD. 2009-07-03. 2009-04-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20110718093926/http://www.azerbaijan.az/portal/newsen.html?action=GetFullNews&ldid=2005-07-26&ltid=21:41:54&ndid=2009-04-30&nid=11. 2011-07-18. dead.
11. Web site: Bigger Is No Longer Better. May 22, 2013. May 23, 2013. strategypage.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20130607144722/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20130522.aspx. June 7, 2013. live.
12. Web site: Turkey takes interest in Azerbaijan-made sniper rifle. 2009-07-03. Rashad Suleymanov. 2009-02-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20090628191013/http://www.cpf.az/xeber/356-turkey-takes-interest-in-azerbaijan.html. 2009-06-28. dead.
13. Web site: Production of Azerbaijan-made sniper rifle IST-12.7 likely to start in Turkey. news.az. 4 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110502062539/http://news.az/articles/politics/35415. 2 May 2011. dead.
14. Web site: В этом году в Турции могут начать производство азербайджанской снайперской винтовки. https://archive.today/20110823050748/http://news.bcm.ru/doc/83183. dead. 23 August 2011. 4 May 2011.
15. Web site: Azerbaycan mühendislerinin yaptığı "İstiklal" snaypırı Türkiye'de seri üretime girebilir. 1News.com.tr. 4 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110502005432/http://www.1news.com.tr/azerbaycan/siyaset/20110430024816857.html. 2 May 2011. dead. dmy-all.