Turkmenistan

DI Optical Reflex Optics on M2 HMGs at Turkmen Parade

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Among the latest small arms displayed at the recent Independence Day Parade were DI Optical USA DCL-120 reflex sights mounted to .50 BMG M2 Heavy Machine Guns. Currently, it isn’t known what type of mount is clamped to the receiver of the machine guns. But it certainly appears to be a Picatinny rail that allows the DCL-120 to be mounted to it.

Some of the M2 machine guns didn’t have the optics mounted on them.

From the manufacturer website-

Optical Data
System Reflex, Collimator System
Magnification No Magnification (1X)
Eye Relief Unlimited
Red Dot Size 3 MOA Dot / 40 MOA Circle
Field of View (FOV) 96 m @ 200m
Objective Lens 120 × 70 mm
Optical Coating Anti Reflex Coating All Surfaces, Multi-layer Coating for Reflection of Red Light

Electronic Data
Battery Two CR 123A 3V Lithium Battery, or External Power Source : 10~28V (Option)
Battery Life 1,000 hours
Dot Brightness Settings 1 Off & 5 Daylight Mode, 3 Twilight Mode, 3 Nightvision Mode

Mechanical Data
Housing Material High Strength Aluminum
Surface Finish Hard Anodized, Matte, Carbon Black
Mounting Solution Built-in Type (For MIL STD 1913 Picatinny Rail)
Click Adjustment 1 click = 25mm at 200m
Trajectory Ranges 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,200 meters

Dimensions
Length/Width/Height 330 mm / 180 mm / 150 mm
Weight 3,000 g

Environmental Data
Temperature Range −41 ℃ ~ +71 ℃

Beretta and Sako Presence at Turkmenistan Independence Day Parade

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At this year’s 26th anniversary of the Independence of Turkmenistan, Beretta and Beretta owned Sako came out in large numbers among the small arms on parade. Of course, the Beretta 5.56x45mm NATO ARX160 took center stage among both the line troops and special operations component, with the SF component also being armed with IWI 5.56x45mm NATO Tavor TARs.

21st Century Asian Arms Race had this to say about the current rearming of the small Central Asian state–

Turkmenistan is often lampooned for its bizarre civic culture that combines national symbols with its leader’s personality cult. But judging by the recent military parade in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s armed strength is for the sole purpose of territorial defense. Unlike North Korea, Turkmenistan doesn’t pose a threat to global peace. It’s also trying to crawl out of an economic mess caused by its reliance on energy exports.

Neither does Ashgabat appear to have regional ambitions. On the contrary, it faces a grave threat from its border with Afghanistan where militants tied to either the Taliban or ISIS are active. In the greater scheme of things, Turkmenistan’s imperative is balancing its aspirations with the looming strength of China, India, Iran, Russia and Turkey.

Yet even if it’s overshadowed by larger countries in its neighborhood, when it comes to mass calisthenics, very impressive rifle drills, and costumed Turkmen archers trotting on horseback, Turkmenistan makes sure it surpasses its neighbors in pageantry.

Along with the ARX160s, there were some mounted with Beretta’s accompanying 40x46mm low-velocity GLX-160 UBGL.

And a designated Marksmans variant.

It appears that Turkmenistan has also purchased the IWI Negev light machine gun as well.

But the other significant update was with the precision rifles, that of Sako TRG M10s. These are probably chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO but could be in .338 Lapua Magnum. They were shown in a tan finish.