Russia's primary small arms manufacturer, Kalashnikov Concern, announced plans to mass-produce 5.45mm rifle rounds designed to disable drones. The rounds, intended for the AK-12 assault rifle, release a "multi-element projectile" that fragments upon exiting the barrel, increasing the likelihood of hitting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Testing and Deployment
The rounds were tested against drones hovering in the air and flying along preset paths, with fragments separating systematically upon firing. The 30-round magazines are compatible with burst and single-fire modes. Some Russian units had previously experimented with makeshift anti-drone ammunition, such as converting 7.62mm rounds into shotgun-like bullets using steel pellets and heat shrink tubes.
Ukrainian Countermeasures
Ukraine has also developed anti-drone rifle rounds, including the "Horoshok" ("Little Pea") bullet, which fragments after traveling a distance to extend its range. Kyiv aims to produce 400,000 of these 5.56mm rounds monthly. Both nations are adapting to the widespread use of fiber-optic drones, which cannot be remotely jammed, necessitating direct countermeasures.
Global Context
The development reflects a broader trend in the defense industry, with Western nations like the U.S. also experimenting with anti-drone rifle rounds. The tactic of using shotguns as a final line of defense against first-person-view drone attacks has become popular in the Ukraine war.