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Ukraine has started manufacturing new 5.56 mm ammunition designed to counter FPV drones, and it is already being supplied to the front lines.
The rounds are compatible with standard NATO assault rifles, such as the CZ Bren and M4, widely used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. When fired, the ammunition breaks apart into several high-speed projectiles, creating a shotgun-like effect with an effective range of up to 50 meters.
This development is especially significant as Russia deploys fiber-optic drones, which are resistant to electronic warfare, Forbes notes.
FPV drones are cheap, maneuverable, and often equipped with explosive charges, making them effective kamikaze weapons. In Ukraine, they are used by both sides for reconnaissance and targeted strikes, especially against infantry positions and lightly armored vehicles. Their speed, low altitude, and erratic flight paths make them difficult to intercept with conventional small arms or electronic warfare.
The situation has become more complex as Russian forces increasingly deploy fiber-optic-controlled drones. Unlike traditional drones that rely on radio signals and GPS, fiber-optic drones are immune to jamming and spoofing, rendering many electronic countermeasures ineffective. This puts greater pressure on Ukrainian soldiers to rely on physical defenses, including kinetic intercept methods like firearms.
The development of this new ammunition signals Ukraine’s rapid adaptation to evolving threats on the battlefield. It reflects a broader trend in the war: both sides are engaging in a technological arms race, constantly modifying tactics, weapons, and equipment in response to new challenges.
Military experts say that while this new ammo won’t eliminate the FPV drone threat, it gives soldiers a better chance of defending themselves and their positions, particularly in close-quarters situations where drones may appear suddenly and with little warning.
In recent months, Ukraine’s defense sector has accelerated the development and production of indigenous weapons systems, ranging from drones and electronic warfare tools to precision-guided munitions. The introduction of anti-drone ammunition is part of this larger effort to reduce dependence on foreign supplies and enhance domestic capabilities in asymmetric warfare.
Forbes notes that while the technology is still in early stages, the ability to rapidly produce and deploy such solutions gives Ukraine a tactical edge — at least temporarily — in an environment where innovation can determine survival.
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