Czech SF Buy Desert Tech Long Guns
The Czech Ministry of Defense has announced the purchase of 30 Desert Tech precision rifles chambered in .50 BMG and .375 Chey Tac. These rifles are the commercial Hard Target Interdiction series. As reported by Jane’s Defense–
The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth CZK75 million (USD3 million) for Desert Tech Hard Target Interdiction (HTI) rifles for use by Czech special forces in international operations.
The contract includes the delivery of 30 sniper rifles, each with a set of conversion kits for .375 CT and .50 BMG cartridges (including barrel, bolt, and magazines), along with scopes, 120 replacement barrels (737 mm/29 inches long), 21,000 cartridges, and additional accessories such as bipods, mounts, and cases.
Despite Desert Tech’s delayed release of their 5.56x45mm NATO MDR, the companies bullpup precision rifles have achieved success throughout the world being adopted in small numbers. Although these sales aren’t overtly public, they are enough to get the precisions out there on the market, in use by various LE and Military forces for operational testing and evaluation. In addition, the precision rifles are available for civilian purchase within the United States.
The puzzling portion of this particular contract is the choice of .375 Chey Tac. The cartridge is more of a novelty, with popularity within the competition and hunting worlds. Very few if any international militaries or police forces use it. Most either opting for the .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua or the larger .50 BMG. Why the Czech Special Forces are interested in the .375 Chey Tac specifically has to do with their operational requirements for the adopted rifle. When getting into these much larger cartridges, security forces are looking more at anti-vehicular usage rather than anti-personnel. The .338 Lapua can accomplish everything the .375 Chey Tac can, and is much more suited to human targets, which is why it is so popular among security forces.
Weight 8.93 kg (19.7 lb) (.375 CheyTac)
9.18 kg (20.2 lb) (.408 CheyTac, .416 Barrett)
9.09 kg (20.0 lb) (.50 BMG)Length 1,127 mm (44.4 in) (.375 CheyTac, .408 CheyTac)
1,152.4 mm (45.37 in) (.416 Barrett, .50 BMG)Barrel length 737 mm (29.0 in)