Ukraine Develops 12-Gauge Anti-Drone Cartridges

One of the Ukrainian companies has developed 12-gauge anti-drone cartridges, which are already being supplied to units of the Defense Forces.

The developer shared this with Militarnyi.

According to the company, the 12-gauge “Antidrone” cartridge insert forms a 50×50 cm “web” when fired, designed to capture and immobilize drones, including models with fiber-optic control.

The insert is intended for use in 12-gauge cartridges and weighs 32 ± 0.5 g. It is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and has a monolithic design in the form of a one-piece cup with a shock-absorbing section that integrates a plastic body, a mesh, and five lead segments.

The insert is equipped with a plastic wad container that provides controlled discharge with a powder charge of 1.8–2 g, and performs best in shotguns with a tight choke.

The effective range is up to 50 meters. The product is designed to operate at temperatures from −30 °C to +50 °C and has a shelf life of at least 10 years.

The company says the design provides for controlled dispersion, accuracy against small and moving targets, consistent shot patterns, and versatility against drones of different sizes and types.

In addition, the company has developed anti-drone multi-projectile cartridges in calibers 5.45×39 mm and 5.56×45 mm. The projectile casing is injection-molded from solid plastic and contains five 4 mm pellets (No. 1 shot), intended to engage drones at distances of 30-50 meters.

It is stated that both products are made in Ukraine and “have already proven their reliability in frontline units.”

In Ukraine, the first anti-drone cartridges in 5.56×45 mm caliber were approved for military use in June 2025.

In November, then Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced an expansion in the production of anti-drone cartridges. By late autumn 2025, the Defense Ministry had codified such ammunition from several Ukrainian manufacturers, preparing for mass production.

Russia is also developing similar weapons. For example, in January 2026, Rostec introduced 12-gauge IGLA 100 anti-drone cartridges.