Use of shotguns against drones
Shotguns counter small drones with spreading projectiles and specialized ammunition.
Shotguns became a common tool for taking down small, low-flying drones after commercial FPV quadcopters saw heavy use in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Unlike standard rifles, shotguns are more effective because they fire a spread of multiple pellets. Hitting just one propeller on a small quadcopter throws it off balance, which is enough to ground it. Common models used include the Vepr-12 and Remington Model 870.
**Adaptations**
**Ukraine** – Ukraine purchased 4,000 Turkish-made Hatsan Escort BTS-12 semi-automatic bullpup shotguns.
**Belgium** – Kleine Brogel Air Base modified the Benelli M4 Super 90 for use against unauthorized drones.
**Products**
**Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian** – Benelli Armi released this model, citing its use against small FPV quadcopters. It is available with 18.5-inch or 26-inch barrels.
**Ingra Rosyanka** – An adapter for the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher, designed to fight small drones. Like the GP-25, it is a single-shot launcher, but it fires 12-gauge ammunition instead.
**Skynet shotgun shell** – A 12-gauge shell containing a net, which can be fired from a standard 12-gauge shotgun.
**See also** – Drone killer cartridge.
- Used models
- Vepr-12 and Remington Model 870
- Ukraine acquisition
- 4000 Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS-12 semi-automatic Bullpup shotguns
- Belgium air base
- Kleine Brogel Air Base adapted the Benelli M4 Super 90
- Benelli product
- Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, available in 18.5 and 26 inch barrel lengths
- Rosyanka adapter
- Ingra Rosyanka, adapter for GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher, uses 12-gauge ammunition
- Skynet shell
- Skynet shotgun shells, 12-gauge shells containing a net
Lore & Background
The use of shotguns against small low flying unmanned aerial vehicles became prevalent with the large scale use of commercial FPV drones in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Used models are the Vepr-12 and Remington Model 870 type shotguns. Shotguns provide more effective against drones than regular rifles because of their spreading pattern of multiple projectiles. Damaging one of the propellers on a small quadcopter unbalances it, which is sufficient to make it incapable of flying.
Adaptations include Ukraine acquiring 4000 Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS-12 semi-automatic Bullpup shotguns. Belgium's Kleine Brogel Air Base adapted the Benelli M4 Super 90 to counter unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles. Products developed include the Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, available in 18.5 and 26 inch barrel lengths, and the Ingra Rosyanka adapter for the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher that uses 12-gauge ammunition. Skynet shotgun shells are 12-gauge shells that contain a net, launched from a regular 12ga shotgun.
Reader's Guide
The significance of shotguns against drones lies in their practical effectiveness during the Russo-Ukrainian war, where commercial FPV drones became widely used. The spreading pattern of multiple projectiles from shotguns offers a clear advantage over regular rifles, as damaging a single propeller on a small quadcopter is sufficient to disable it. This led to adaptations by military and security forces: Ukraine acquired 4000 Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS-12 shotguns, and Belgium's Kleine Brogel Air Base adapted the Benelli M4 Super 90. Manufacturers responded with dedicated products such as the Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian and the Ingra Rosyanka adapter, which allows 12-gauge ammunition to be fired from a GP-25 underbarrel launcher. Additionally, specialized ammunition like Skynet shotgun shells, which deploy a net, were developed. The legacy of this approach is that shotguns became a standard countermeasure for small drones, with both off-the-shelf and purpose-built solutions emerging from the conflict.
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