Russia launches new counter-drone rifle cartridge

The need to counter drones at the tactical level has spawned multiple different approaches. This latest counter-drone ammunition from Russia’s High Precision Systems is designed to be used with standard assault rifles. 

BLUF: 

• Russia has announced a new ammunition designed to counter drones and to be fired from assault rifles. 
• It has already been tested in Ukraine and joins the many cottage industry efforts to develop similar capabilities. 

Russia’s High Precision Systems has developed a new “multi-bullet” rifle cartridge that is designed to separate into three petals after leaving the barrel to increase the effects against small drones. The January 22 press release explains that the first batches of the rounds, designated Mnogotochie (Mno-guh-TOH-chee-yeh, it means ellipsis…) have already been produced. 

Available in 5.45×39 mm and 7.62×54 mm the rounds can be fired from Russian standard calibre assault rifles and use the same cartridge case and propellant as existing small arms ammunition. The bullet separates into three and increases the chances of hitting a drone by 2.5 times at ranges up to 300 metres, the press release states. This is a difficult metric to quantify, because the accuracy of standard assault rifle ammunition fired over iron sights is arguably quite low. 

“They have already undergone pilot testing in a special military operation zone and have proven themselves effective against small and highly maneuverable aerial targets,” said Bekkhan Ozdoyev, Industrial Director of the Armaments Cluster at Rostec. So, they have been tested in Ukraine, and are now in production. 

• Rostec details Igla shotgun cartridge for anti-drone fight – Calibre Defence 
• Countering FPVs: Norma develops 12 gauge cartridge – Calibre Defence 
• The fibre optic FPV – Calibre Defence 

The rifle calibre addition is likely to be quite valuable. Shotguns are a common solution, but require specialist drone busters-soldiers carrying shotguns and drone detectors-or add to a soldier’s burden. Rostec has also developed specific shotgun cartridges to take drones down, which presumably employ heavier alloys to increase kinetic energy. 

However, drones are a difficult target to defeat, with relatively few critical components as a proportion of their total size. FPV drones are generally built to be robust and survive multiple crashes, which makes damaging them more difficult than an off-the-shelf drone like a DJI Mavic. So, the greater energy and range of an assault rifle cartridge gives soldiers more time to intercept a drone, and a theoretically increased likelihood of causing critical damage.

Russian units have developed their own versions of rifle ammunition designed to improve the chances of hitting a drone. One solution involved a 3D printed sabot, the shape of a normal bullet, that was designed to carry ball-bearings (BB). The sabot would separate after being fired, releasing the BBs in a tight cluster towards the target. 

• DSEI UK 2025: Ares launches Rooster C-UAS round in 7.62 mm
• DSEI UK 2025: SMASH 3000 for heavy machine guns unveiled – Calibre Defence 
• MyDefence drone detector expands range as drones hide in the spectrum – Calibre Defence 

As is ever the case with Russia’s wars, it is not clear whether or not this state-backed invention will make its way to the frontlines in any quantity. So, it is reasonable to expect the cottage industry to continue to evolve its design and production of counter-drone rifle ammunition. 

Calibre comment: What is the West doing to counter drones?

There are multiple efforts underway in the West to counter drones, ranging from massive lasers through to microwave weapons, and new forms of jamming. At the tactical level, there have been several developments of note, which suggest a robust infantry-portable counter-drone layer could look as follows: 

• A range of drone detection systems built to be rapidly updated and modified as drone use evolves.
• Smart rifle sights to aid in targeting with assault rifles and machine guns.
• Modifications to vehicle-mounted remote weapon systems to improve counter-drone targeting.
• New types of ammunition fired from shotguns and assault rifles to increase effects against drones.

Altogether this type of approach should provide a relatively robust response at the most tactical level. However, it is important to note that it is far from perfect, and some drones should be expected to make it through. It is therefore highly likely that the next time a European force deploys into combat, losses will be caused through drone attacks. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on January 27, 2026. The lead image shows USMC Col. Dennis W. Sampson, the officer in charge of Expeditionary Operations Training Group II Marine Expeditionary Force, testing out a rifle equipped with a SmartShooter optic during a Counter Unmanned Aerial System demo. Credit: USMC/Lance Cpl. Donovan E. Melendez.