A year ago, a Russian military blogger warned that troops needed shotguns to combat Ukrainian FPV drones. Now, with drones becoming more prevalent, Russians are requesting shotguns to replace failing jammers. Ukrainians have been issuing shotguns to their troops and providing training on how to effectively bring down drones with them. The use of shotguns has proven to be more effective than machine guns against drones when electronic warfare fails.
Russian soldiers are now being equipped with shotguns to protect against drones. Some soldiers have already been credited with successfully taking down drones using the 12-gauge Vepr-12 Molot shotgun. Other soldiers are exploring improvised solutions, such as modifying grenade launchers to fire shotgun cartridges. In Ukraine, 4,000 Escort BTS12 shotguns have been acquired from a Turkish company for drone defense, and soldiers are being trained on how to use them effectively.
Ukrainian soldiers are trained in selecting the right size shot and using the correct sights when firing shotguns against drones. Courses emphasize the importance of quick and intuitive firing, as well as the need for constant surveillance in shooting down drones. Instructors stress the importance of safety and the risks associated with handling drones that have been shot down, as some may be booby-trapped or contain explosives.
The use of shotguns against drones may require soldiers to adopt new tactics and strategies. Some have suggested that one soldier in each squad may need to be dedicated to drone protection, while others propose issuing lightweight weapons to all troops for personal defense. However, shotguns may only offer a partial solution as drones evolve in response to countermeasures, such as armored drones that are resistant to shotgun blasts.
Despite the effectiveness of shotguns against drones, challenges remain, particularly when facing drones equipped with thermal imaging for night attacks. Without night vision capabilities, shotguns may be rendered ineffective in the dark. Snipers with night sights may have some success against larger drones, but smaller drones remain difficult to target. As both sides continue to field more drones, the use of shotguns as a defense mechanism may need to evolve to remain effective.
