At the end of May 2025, leading specialists from AKM Group-CZ conducted comprehensive test firing of the MSV QCB model 12.7 mm QCB large-calibre machine gun. These machine guns are manufactured at the Turkish company MESAV, one of the world’s most successful manufacturers of large-calibre machine guns, grenade launchers, cartridge belts and other types of weapons.
In August 2023, AKM Group-CZ and MESAV signed an exclusive agreement under which AKM Group-CZ became the official distributor of the Turkish manufacturer’s defence products on the European market, including the Ukrainian market. The machine gun model is designed as a universal system that combines high power, technical flexibility and suitability for intensive firing in active combat conditions.
During live-fire testing of the MSV QCB model 12.7 mm QCB machine gun at the proving ground, over 1,000 rounds of 12.7×99 mm ammunition were fired. This allowed the machine gun to be tested for endurance and stability under heavy loads.
The testing process included not only firing, but also testing the machine gun’s endurance to repeated disassembly and reassembly in field conditions. This testing method is used before the weapon is officially accepted into service by the Defence Forces.
The entire mechanism is deliberately disassembled, mixed and reassembled to ensure the accuracy of the machine gun components and the stability of the weapon in dynamic conditions.
As a result of the work carried out, AKM Group-CZ experts concluded that the MSV QCB model 12.7 mm QCB system is reliable and no serious issues with the machine gun’s performance were identified.
Additional adjustments to some elements are currently being completed, and
preparations are underway for the shipment of the first batch of large-calibre machine guns to the end user.
At the same time, the process of obtaining an NSN code – the NATO codification system number for the acceptance of MSV QCB model 12.7 mm QCB machine guns into service by NATO countries – is underway. This model provides effective fire superiority in both offensive and defensive situations and is designed to engage enemy personnel, lightly armoured vehicles, engineering structures and low-altitude air targets.
More details about the MSV QCB model 12.7 mm QCB large-calibre machine guns, their technical characteristics and operational advantages will be provided in the next publication.
