Chinese MANPADS In Ukraine

While officially China has no involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine a substantial number of their weapon systems have been seen in theatre. Setting aside the tens of thousands of Chinese manufacturer commercial drones which have been used during the conflict we’ve also seen Chinese RPGs, rifles and heavy machine guns. In the past six months, however, there have been a number of sightings of much more complex Chinese weapons; FN-series man portable air defence systems (MANPADS).

The first sighting of a Chinese-manufactured MANPADS came in mid-November 2025. On 19 November, the 143rd United Educational and Training Center shared a post, including photographs and video, of an engagement of a Russian Kalibr missile by an air defence team armed with a Chinese FN-6. The Kalibr cruise missile was engaged by a four-man mobile air defence team, in a video of the engagement the FN-6’s transit case can be seen next to the operator.

*Air defence team of the 143rd United Educational and Training Center with an FN-6 (Ukrainian Armed Forces)*

Operation of the Chinese MANPADS is not dissimilar to that of Russian-manufactured MANPADS, like the 9K32 Strela-2 , that Ukrainian personnel would be familiar with. To ready the FN-6 for action the rear exhaust cover and the front sensor cover must be removed. A gas coolant cartridge must also be inserted, this is needed for the IR seeker. Finally, iron sights must be flipped up for aiming, the battery is activated as the operator depresses the trigger and once the weapon is on target it can be fired.

The HY-6 was developed in the early 1990s and has since seen service with elements of the Chinese armed forces. It is a passive infrared homing (IR) MANPADS and has been exported to around a dozen countries as the FN-6 (飞弩-6) including Cambodia, Malaysia, Sudan and Pakistan.

The FN-6 is a fire-and-forget system as it utilises a passive infrared pyramidal nose-mounted seeker. Once fired the missile is guided by proportional navigation to an optimal point of impact. It has a maximum range of 5.5km with an maximum altitude of 3.8km. The FN-6 utilises a high explosive-fragmentation warhead with either an impact or laser-proximity fuze.

On 13 May 2026, the 160th Separate Mechanized Brigade shared a post highlighting the work of its air defence units which included an number of photographs including two which showed a different kind of Chinese MANPADS, an FN-16.

The FN-16 is an evolution of the FN-6. It is believed to primarily be an export weapon and is reportedly in service with Cambodia, Cameroon and Pakistan. The more advanced FN-16 uses an infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) [two-colour rosette-scan quasi-imaging] seeker which scans for its target’s outline using multi-spectral sensing. It has a maximum engagement range of 6km and a maximum altitude of 4km. Like the FN-6 it uses a high explosive-fragmentation warhead with either an impact or proximity fuse.

*Member of 160th Separate Mechanized Brigade with an FN-16 (Ukrainian Armed Forces)*

Also in May, the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade shared photographs of a member of one of the brigade’s air defence units holding an FN-6 missile [17 May / 19 May]. The seeker cover is in place and the gripstock is not fitted.

So how did these Chinese MANPADS come to be in Ukraine? The most likely potential answers to that question include: the transfer of seized weapons – we’ve already seen other Chinese smalls arms procured by Iran for the Houthis which were seized an subsequently supplied to Ukraine. Another possibility is that they are third-party purchases; with the MANPADS bought from countries that have already procured (and use) them. Similarly, they could have been procured via non-state intermediaries though its unclear how interested in this China would be given its public position on involvement in the conflict.

From the available imagery it appears that a variety of units have been issued Chinese MANPADS with units from both the Ukrainian regular Army and Territorial Defence Force both seen with the weapons. It remains unclear just how many of the MANPADS Ukraine might have.

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Kalashnikov Concerns Folding Single-shot Anti-Drone Shotgun

Kalashnikov Concern’s press office announced that specialists from the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (JSC TsNIITochMash) Research Center for Small Arms Systems and Combat Equipment were awarded gold medals at the 2026 N. G. Slavyanov International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations for a number of counter-drone designs. JSC TsNIITochMash is a part of Russia’s Rostec State Corporation, and which is managed by JSC Kalashnikov Concern.

One of the designs was described as a “compact, single-shot shotgun chambered for 12x70mm [12 gauge] cartridges is designed to engage small, low-flying UAVs. The weapon’s main advantage is its compact size and light weight, weighing only 1.8 kg.” The weapon essentially appears to be a linear tube capable of being folding in two for transport. The ergonomics are limited and the barrel is relatively short.

*Folding 12ga C-UAS shotgun (Kalashnikov Concern)*

From the limited information available and the single image which has been shared of the shotguns it appears that the weapon may break just behind the trigger guard and hinges back so the two halves run perpendicular. The muzzle appears to clip into the buttstock. The trigger guard incorporates a trigger block safety but the hypothesised folding design would mean the trigger and trigger guard would have to recess into the body of the weapon or to the side of the tube. The shotgun has a pair of folding iron sights.

The weapon perhaps loads when the two halves are broken but this would mean there is either a method of retaining the cartridge in the weapon or it has to be carried unloaded which would defeat the purpose of a compact anti-drone personal defence shotgun. Until additional imagery of the weapon appears these characteristics remain hypothetical and largely unconfirmed.

*Duplex C-UAS ammunition (Kalashnikov Concern)*

Also said to have won the award is a triplex-style rifle round with a three projectiles. These have been developed to match the form factors of conventional 5.45x39mm and 7.62x54mmR ammunition. The press release stated that the “multi-bullet cartridges are designed for individual small arms and contain a multi-element projectile that significantly increases the probability of engaging UAVs. This design solution ensures that the cartridge’s components separate orderly upon exiting the barrel, improving the stability of external ballistic characteristics while maintaining the weapon’s reliable operation.” This ammunition development revisits a concept which has been explored in the past. Through industrial manufacture, with proper quality control and materials, it may offer some benefits over the ad-hoc AK-buckshot rounds which have evolved.

It’s unclear if Kalashnikov have plans to put the new shotgun into production or if it simply represents the latest experimental efforts to provide individual soldiers with a weapon which can provide some counter to the pervasive threat of FPV drones. Full details on the design are not yet available and its utility remains debatable as while the shotgun is said to be relatively light it still represents 1.8 kg or 4lbs of extra kit a soldier would have to carry. The weapon has to be deployed and only offers one chance to engage the drone threat before having to be reloaded.

Examining a Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr

By early 1945 Nazi Germany’s situation was desperate, with no real hope of victory left desperate holding actions became the order of the day. In order to try and stem the advance of the Red Army in the East and the Allies in the West (and south), the German government raised a new militia, the Volkssturm (or in English: ‘people’s storm’). This optimistically named force made up of all men aged between 13 and 70, they were expected to defend their local areas, much like the British Home Guard formed in 1940.

In order to arm the Volkssturm and the remnants of the rest of Germany’s armed forces, stores of older weapons, such as Gewehr 98s and 88s and MG08s were re-issued and a broad variety of captured foreign weapons.

*Left-side profile Volkssturmgewehr (Matthew Moss)*

Even so there was still not enough weapons to equip the newly improvised ‘volunteer’ force. As such, in Autumn 1944, German industry was directed to create prototypes of simpler, cheaper weapons that might be mass produced quickly with minimal tooling. This project was dubbed the Volksgewehr-Programm, which evolved from the earlier Primitiv-Waffen-Programm which began in 1943 and saw the development of the EMP44. . These primitive weapons had to be made quickly with the materials at hand. The Volksgewehr-Programm spawned a number of prototypes with varying degrees of sophistication, the so-called VolksGewehr or ‘people’s guns’.

The best known these ‘people’s guns’ is perhaps the Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr – often referred to as the VG 1-5. Such was the chaos and rapid development of the weapon we’re examining today it was known by a plethora of names in various wartime documents, including: Selbstladegewehr [self-loading rifle], Selbstladekarabiner [self-loading carbine] and Volks-Selbstladekarabiner 45 [self-loading carbine 45]. As W. Darrin Weaver points out in his book ‘Desperate Measures‘ these carbines were never officially referred to as the VG 1-5. Weaver’s suggests instead that the proper name would the ‘Volkssturmgewehr‘ while Wolfgang Peter-Michel suggested in his 2017 book ‘Volksgewehre: Die Langwaffen des Deutschen Volkssturms‘ that ‘Volksmaschinenpistole’ was the term officially used.

*Volkssturmgewehr receiver close up (Matthew Moss)*

The Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr was undeniably the most complicated of the Volksgewehr-Programm guns. A semi-automatic, gas delayed blowback operated carbine chambered in Germany’s new intermediate 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge. Developed by Karl Barnitzke, Gustloff Werke’s chief designer, initial versions of the weapon were select-fire and designated the MP 507. Gustloff submitted a semi-automatic variant of the carbine to the Volksgewehr-Programm trials but was rejected in November 1944, ostensibly due to cost, comparative complexity and ammunition consumption.

Field stripping the Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr:

First check the weapon is in a safe condition. Then unscrew the knurled nose cap by lifting the retaining flat spring. Then slide out the weapon’s mainspring. Remove the single retaining pin [which does not fit into any of the slots in the stock, despite looking like it will]. Remove the safety catch, this is retained by a raised flat that sits under one of the stamped receiver’s folds. Lift trigger assembly up, out of the rear of the receiver, then slide the bolt and barrel shroud assembly forward and off the barrel.

*Volkssturmgewehr disassembled (Matthew Moss)*

Looking over the disassembled weapon we can see the two coarse interupted threads which retain the nose cap. We can see one of the four gas ports and gas expansion chamber rings. The trigger and firing mechanism are one complete assembly. the breach block is pinned into the barrel shroud (which also acts as the body of the gas expansion chamber). Note the rough welds on the lower guide piece. Not the extremely rudimentary charging handle and front and rear sights.

How It Works:

The Volkssturmgewehr‘s design uses a gas-delayed blowback action. On firing, once the projectile leaves the muzzle, the propellant gases expand and push the spent case and the unlocked breech rearwards, the case is ejected and the barrel shroud/gas cylinder/bolt assembly recoils. As the weapon fires and the projectile passes through the barrel the weapon vents gas from the barrel through four small holes, the gas expands into the cylinder/chamber, which is formed around the barrel by the shroud, this is intended to slow the rearward movement of the bolt assembly. The mass of the barrel shroud/gas chamber/bolt assembly also aids in slowing the opening of the breech.

As the situation continued to deteriorate, Gauleiters (or regional leaders) were given carte blanche to direct local weapon production and procurement and the Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr was resurrected and put into production Thuringia’s Gauleiter Fritz Sauckel. As such the weapons do not have the typical Waffenamt acceptance markings. The first guns were completed in late 1944, with the production line ramping in January 1945. This particular example, with the serial Th. 9307 stamped into the stock, was assembled near the end of production.

*Well-equipped Volkssturm battalion members with Volkssturmgewehrs (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)*

Barnitzke claimed that the weapons took only 3 hours to manufacture and that approximately 10,000 were built. The Volkssturmgewehr has fewer than 40 metal components and is built around a two piece riveted stamped receiver. It has a roughly machined barrel, a stamped receiver cover and simple wooden furniture. The characteristic sling often seen with the were permanently attached to the weapons furniture and are believed to be derived from a gas mask canister straps with extra reinforcement.

Unlike the other Volkssturm weapons there is contemporary imagery in the form of photos and newsreel footage which show that Volkssturmgewehr reached the front and was used. It is believed that the weapons predominantly saw use with Volksturm units on the Oder Front, to the east of Berlin.

*Right-side profile Volkssturmgewehr (Matthew Moss)*

As the war ended the US Army captured a number of examples of the weapon and one was sent to the US Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground for evaluations in July 1945. The report, which is likely the first document to refer to the weapon as the VG 1-5, found the Volkssturmgewehr ‘crudely made’ concluding that “accuracy was poor, general functioning was fair with the exception of recurrent feed failures… in general, the weapon appeared capable of fulfilling the mission for which it was designed” [Report No. 06-64-TM-OC, July 1945]

Special thanks to the Vickers Machine Gun Collection for allowing me to film this item from their incredible collection, I can’t encourage you enough to check out their videos, website and amazing collection.

Bibliography:

Desperate Measures : The last-Ditch Weapons of the Nazi Volkssturm, W.D. Weaver (2005)

Deutsche Sturmgewehre bis 1945, P. Senich (1998)

Volksgewehre: Die Langwaffen des Deutschen Volkssturms, W. Peter-Michel (2017)

German Submachine guns & Assault Rifles of World War II, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series (1968)

Australian F1 Grenades in Ukraine

We recently looked at a pair of extremely rare hand grenades which have been seen in use in Ukraine – the Nammo Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade and Mk 14 Mod 0 Anti-Structural Munition Hand Grenade. Today, we’ll take a look at another rare grenade that has been seen in the Ukrainian armed forces – the Australian F1.

Developed by Australian Defence Industries (now Thales Australia), the F1 is a fragmentation grenade. Introduced in the late 1990s, the F1 has a filling of 30g of RDX and approximately 4,000 2.4mm steel balls. It has an aluminium body and a total weight of 375g. The F1 uses a 5 second delay fuze and has a stated lethal radius of 6 metres.

The first sighting of one of the grenades I’ve come across dates to late April 2023 but their presence in-country likely dates back further. An F1 was seen alongside a collection of NATO and Russian designs in a short video posted by a Ukrainian combatant.

*Member of 47th Mechanised Brigade with F1 grenade, 2023 (via social media)*

In early November 2023, a photograph of a member of 47th Mechanised Brigade featured an Australian F1 on his vest. Several weeks later a photo of various patterns of grenade was posted by the 108th Territorial Defence Forces brigade on 17 November. The photo was taken during a familiarisation training session and features various types of grenade including an Australian F1. A short video from a Ukrainian combatant showing an F1 was shared online in early December, it is marked ‘0135 ADI 18’. This is the typical marking for all of the F1s seen in Ukraine.

The next sighting I’ve come across is a captured example featuring in a video from the Russian Крупнокалиберный Переполох youtube channel. The video, posted on 10 May 2024, features several captured F1s and shows the grenade being tested. He likens it to a Christmas tree decoration in shape and after testing a grenade on a collection of steel barrels he found the lethality of the grenade unimpressive with limited penetration shown on barrels within 4 metres of the detonation.

Until early 2025, sightings were sparse, on 14 March, personnel with the 14th Regiment of Unmanned Systems Forces shared a photo of kit and equipment, one of the grenades visible is an F1. On 25 March, a Russian sapper telegram page shared photographs of a captured F1. Additional images of a captured F1 were posted on another, now defunct Russian sapper telegram page, along with comments hypothesising that the grenade’s small fragmentation balls wouldn’t retain kinetic energy over distance.

*Various Western and Combloc grenades, including an Australian F1 (Ukrainian Armed Forces)*

In August a combatant with Ukraines airborne forces shared a photograph of an impressive collection of grenades, collected for familisation purposes. Tucked in on the left of the collection is an Australian F1. In mid-October, combatant with Ukraine’s special operations forces shared a photograph of an F1 alongside some UDZ-pattern fuzes.

At the end of 2025 a number of F1 grenades appeared on the auction site Reibert.info. The earliest listing, however, dates to late January 2025 when a demiled example was sold for 3900 UAH ($88). From December 2025 to February 2026, a number of other grenades (with their explosive elements removed) were sold for between 4000 UAH ($90) and 8201 UAH ($185).

*Demiled F1 grenade disassembled (via social media)*

In January 2026, another Russian sapper telgeram shared a photo of a captured F1, showing the grenade disassembled. Most recently, on 20 February, Russian journalist Dmitry Kulko shared a series of photos from the Russian 810th Brigade’s collection of captured Ukrainian weapons and kit. The post included an example of an Australian F1.

While its unclear when the grenades arrived in Ukraine, the Australian National Audit Office confirmed that grenades were part of lethal aid provided before February 2023. It’s also unknown how many of the grenades have been provided but from the available imagery they have been seen with units across Ukraine’s armed forces.

Special thanks to ReconUAV, AbraxasSpa, Weapon Illustrated, Ukraine Weapons Warfare.

HK MP7s in Ukraine

We’ve seen a number of submachine guns appear in Ukraine over the last 3 years, MP5s, B&T APC-9s, Ukraine’s own Fort 320 and classics like the Carl Gustaf M/45 but one of the rarer to appear is Heckler & Koch’s MP7. Sightings of these began in early 2025. In this article/video we’ll survey some of the sightings, examine how the guns have been set up and I’ll share some opinions and insights shared by Ukrainian soldiers who have experience with the MP7.

If you’re unfamiliar with the HK MP7, its a personal defence weapon chambered in the proprietary 4.6x30mm round. It uses a gas-operated, short stroke piston action and weighs around 1.8kg (4lbs) unloaded and without accessories. It was introduced in the early 2000s and is in use with a number of militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world. It is typically used as a PDW for personnel who don’t need a full-size rifle, for close quarter tasks by special forces and as a concealable carbine for personal protection details.

The earliest photograph of an MP7 I have come across dates to February 2025 when a member of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (the GUR/HUR)’s Kraken Regiment posted an image of a black MP7A2 with an Aimpoint Micro T-1 red dot and a Finnish Ase Utra S Series SL4i SMG-MP7 suppressor. Colleagues at StreakingDelilah report that the individual noted that Kraken had received a small number of the weapons (between 5-7) and that they were brought out for some training sessions but have not yet seen action “in the field”.

The next sighting came in August 2025, when a member of the HUR Tymur Special Unit shared a photo posing with an MP7A2 in HK’s favoured RAL 8000 colour. It appears to have been fitted with an Aimpoint Acro red dot on an Eratac mount and an Ase Utra S Series SL4i SMG-MP7 suppressor.

At the beginning of Septmber a member of the Special Operations Center “South” (formerly the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center) posted a short clip showing an operator equipped with what appears to be an MP7 but is in fact a licensed airsoft copy from Umarex. We can identify this from the white license markings on the right side of the receiver. It’s complete with an Umarex H&K QD Suppressor and a PEQ-15. Its unclear if an airsoft clone is being use for training because the actual weapons are in the SSO’s inventory.

Potential Airsoft – On 11 September 2025 an Instagram account affiliated with the Ukrainian Army’s Air Assault forces shared a photo of an individual posing with a black MP7A2, The MP7 has a 30 round magazine, an Ase Utra suppressor and an Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot optic. It’s unclear if elements of Ukraine’s Air Assault forces have also received MP7, this is the only photograph of a combatant from that formation holding one of the weapons I’ve come across so far.

In November and December two additional images of black MP7A2s were shared by combatants with HUR units. The gun is seen with an Ase Utra suppressor and an Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot optic.

The first sighting of the MP7s in 2026 came in February, with several posts about the weapons on Telegram. On 6 February, a telegram channel affiliated from individuals from Ukraine SOF community posted a series of photographs of a brand new RAL 8000 MP7A2, with Ase Utra suppressor and Acro red dot on an Eratac USL mount. The caption praised the weapons “compactness, low weight, and practically no recoil” but noted that it has a short effective range, unique ergonomics and uncommon ammunition. The post went on to suggest that its best use would be as a PDW for snipers.

Another Telegram post, on 9 February, by Про Зброю, which has been described as a shooting instructor serving in the Ukrainian Army, described the MP7 as “extremely convenient, very compact and lightweight, a highly maneuverable weapon that allows for surprisingly controlled automatic fire against a “silhouette” target at distances of up to 100 meters and beyond. There’s practically no recoil or barrel flip when firing. A long burst can be completely placed in the target! The accuracy, thanks to the collimator sight, is excellent! And the sound of the shot is well muffled by the compact sound moderator.” The author’s primary complaint, however, was that 4.6x30mm ammunition is exotic and rarely available in Ukraine. It’s unclear how much ammunition has been supplied for the weapons. The earlier post included a photo of Fiocchi 4.6mm copper plated steel black tip ammunition.

At the beginning of April a combatant with an HUR team shared a photo posing with an MP7A2 during a range trip. The individual shared some thoughts on the MP7 with me, he noted that it’s a “weapon more for bodyguards” and that while “the weapon is very cool” its best suited to specific roles. He noted that .300BLK is preferred for operational roles that require a quiet weapon. He also noted that the accuracy of the MP7 wasn’t as good as he’d expected. It’s unknown what sort of ammunition he used while testing the MP7. Again the weapon has the standard Ase Utra suppressor and an Aimpoint Acro red dot sight on an Eratac USL mount.

Most recently on 24 April 2026, ‘Explosive Department’ an instagram account affiliated with an element of the HUR’s Kraken Regiment shared a photograph of a RAL 8000 MP7A2 with an FDE Aimpoint Acro and an Ase Utra S Series suppressor.

From discussions with sources its possible to confirm that these weapons, along with HK416A8s and MG4 and MG5s, have been provided to Ukraine by Heckler & Koch as part of German aid to Ukraine. They appear to have common accessory configurations including Ase Utra S Series suppressors and Acros on Eratac USL mounts. Imagery shows a mixture of 20- and 30- round magazines.

Thank you to colleagues at StreakingDelilah, MilitaryLand and to Mathias for their help with various elements of this article/video.

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Rare Mk14 Anti-Structure Grenades & Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade In Ukraine

One of the rarer hand grenades to surface in Ukraine is the US Mk14 Anti-Structure grenade. These were developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, back in the 2000s.

The Mk 14 Mod 0 Anti-Structural Munition Hand Grenade has been primarily used by USSOCOM. It is reportedly a Thermobaric Fuel-Air-Explosive Blast (FAE-Blast), hand grenade with a longer duration HE-Blast pressure curve.

The ASM has a thin-walled aluminium body with a main charge filler of PBXN-109 and a PBXN-114 booster. The grenade body is black with three knurled bands with a yellow band at the top and two sticker labels which read: “HE Overpressure Grenade, NEW 0.88 lbs. Fuze 4.5 sec”.

*Mk 14 Mod 0 Anti-Structural Munition Hand Grenade (via Social Media)*

Using the principle of overpressure the ASM, much like the US Army’s new M111 grenade, reduces the risk of friendly casualties due to fragmentation during close combat. In enclosed areas the grenade creates concussion effects and can be used for for blast or demolition tasks. It has a M213-type fuze with a 3-5 second delay, though the stickers seen on the grenades state 4.5 seconds

The available evidence of Mk14 ASM presence in Ukraine is extremely slim. To date, I have only come across a handful of images of the grenades, which were reportedly taken in Ukraine. The individuals who have shared imagery of the grenades have predominantly been associated with Ukrainian special operations units.

Another extremely rare offensive hand grenade seen in Ukraine is the Nammo Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade (SOHG – HGO115M-3.5). The SOHG is a modular grenade with a plastic body packed with either Comp B filling (115g) or PBXN-11 filling (130g). It has a male-female screw interface moulded into the body that allows up to three modules (which can all be used individually) to be screwed together. This allows the system to be scaled to the target its engaging or the space its being used in – Nammo say one equals a concussion grenade, two creates enough overpressure to kill anyone in a average space and the cumulative effect of three modules provides a small scale anti-structure capability. According to Nammo the SOHG modules with a fuze weigh 230g while the modules without fuze weight 190g.

*Nammo Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade (via Social Media)*

Designated the MK21 Mod 0 in US service, SOCOM have been using them since 2010 and the US Marine Corps purchased some in 2024. Unlike the Mk 14 Mod 0 it is not a thermobaric grenade. The first sighting of them in Ukraine came in July 2024, when a Russian telegram channel posted a short video showing some of the weapons captured from Ukrainian units by a reconnaissance unit with Russia’s Tsentr (Center) battlegroup.

In November 2024, when a Russian telegram channel focused on Sapper and EOD activities shared photos of a base unit and an additional module. It’s unclear if these are captured examples or they are images pulled from the internet to illustrate the post.

Most recently, in May 2025, a pair of SOHGs were captured by Russian forces, each was captured with its own fuze, configured for individual use. All of the grenades seen in the imagery have the lot number VR123L001-002 and an NSN which denotes they are filled with Composition B. Given the presence of the Finnish National Codification Bureau number, ’58’, in the NSN, the grenades were likely provided by Finland.

Thanks to AbraxasSpa and Helvegen29 for thier help collecting imagery.

TCEs in Ukraine

Over the last 4 years I’ve spent a huge amount of time studying imagery from the war in Ukraine, examining the types of weapon systems and equipment in use. You quickly noticed how soldiers try to display their individuality through their kit, be it patches (some good some bad) or a FN FAL covered in faux fur. Another critical bit of kit I’ve seen more than a few soldiers with over the last few years is sets of tactical cat ears.

Troops from all manner of units, on both sides, have been spotted sporting tactical cat ears over the last couple of years. Before we dive into an examination of some examples of their employment its worth touching on their origins and history. From what I can dig up, they began to appear in the late 2010s, initially popular with the airsoft and LARP communities and after Russia’s February 2022 invasion and Ukraine’s mass mobilisation, they subsequently bled over into the kit of serving soldiers. China-based gear companies have long offered the velcro tactical cat ears (TCE), but as they increased in popularity, Ukrainian companies have also offered locally-produced versions. Companies like TUR Gear or Balistyka offer a range of styles and soft hats with TCEs. They appear to be priced around 200 to 300 Hryvnia or $5-8.

Ukraine’s female soldiers, mostly drone operators and medics, are one of the largest groups identified who utilise tactical cat ears. In March 2024, Ukraine’s State Border Guards shared a photo of a soldier attached to a Shahed hunting anti-aircraft team. Her helmet features some prominent TCEs. TCEs found their way to Sudzha during the Kursk offensive in Summer 2024.

Ukraine’s Liut Police Brigade shared a photo of a female combatant with TCEs in March 2025. Later the same month photo of a drone operator with the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade with TCE was shared by the bridges official social media. .

A memorial post for a combat medic with the 71st Separate Brigade, killed in November 2025, featured her in a set of TCEs. In February 2026, April Huggett, a medic with the Alcatraz Battalion of the 93rd Brigade shared a photo showing her helmet equipped with TCEs.

It is by no means just female soldiers who employ TCEs they’re regularly seen atop the helmets of hardened operators too. In January 2023, a Ukrainian combatant, callside Burger, was photographed near Bakhmut with a set of TCEs. An individual with an International Legion unit [2nd battalion] was seen with TCEs in an April 2024 team photo.

In May 2023, Anna Filipova a volunteer who provides kit to Ukrainian medics, gave a medic her TCEs and vowed to giveaway more. The Liut Police Brigade also has some male TCE users, with a combatant featured in a team photo shared on the brigade’s social media in December 2024. This footage from an Azov Brigade reconnaissance team clearing a hamlet, in Spring 2025, features an individual wearing a set of TCEs.

In May 2025, a member of the Ukrainian National Guard’s 1st Presidential Brigade was filmed firing an AT-4 during fighting in the Kharkiv oblast. In July 2025, the Ukrainian National Guard’s Khartiia Corps shared a photo of a member with a set of TCEs. In early December 2025, the 144th Centre of Special Operations Forces shared a photograph of an operator with TCEs and a Colt Model 933 carbine.

There’s also some variation amongst TCEs with camouflage patterns and cuts varying, but it also appears there are also TDE or tactical devil/demon ears or horns – TDHs. A combatant with the Black Beard Group, part of the Ukrainian National Guard’s 27th Brigade, is frequently seen sporting TDE.

I will note that I only really started tracking Tactical Cat Ear usage in 2023 at the suggestion of user: I Saw A Bear so I’m sure there’s plenty of earlier examples I’ve missed too. Thanks to I Saw A Bear for the suggestion and the support, occasionally sending me new sightings and reminding me to put this video/article together. War is a serious business but sometimes small things like some multi-cam cat ears can remind us its humans fighting it.

While this definitely isn’t an April Fool, I did think it would be good to put something a little less serious than my usual content out today.

Update: 14/5/26:

Recent photos of a soldier with the 93rd Mechanized Brigade sporting Tactical Cat Ears on his helmet.

I have an in-depth video on these, linked below! #Ukraine #TCEs #UkraineWar #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/IlpmEo0wJx
— Matthew Moss | The Armourer's Bench (@historicfirearm) May 14, 2026

Canada Adopts New Rifle

The Canadian Armed Forces are set to adopt variants of Colt Canada’s MRR as the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR). The announcement stated that up to 65,000 rifles may be procured over the next 5 years to replace the Colt Canada C7 rifles and C8 carbines currently in Canadian service.

According to the Canadian government, the contract will be for the procurement of up to 65,402 weapons: 16,195 will be the Canadian Armed Forces’ Full Spectrum (FS) variant, and the remaining 49,207 will be the General Service (GS) variant.

CMAR (Canadian Armed Forces) — CMAR with a receiver marked ‘C25’ (Canadian Armed Forces)

The FS variant is designed for front-line combat roles and will be optimised for ‘offensive operations in urban and open terrain’, and is described as having ‘advanced features’, likely optics and a suppressor, these will be issued to Regular Infantry units. The GS variant is intended for broader use across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with the Canadian Army stating that it will provide “reliable personal protection and deterrence for personnel who are not in primary combat roles.” This seems similar to how the U.S. Army plans to deploy its new NGSW weapons to close combat forces and how the U.S. Marine Corps issues its M27 rifles and M4 carbines.

The exact configuration and barrel lengths of both variants have not been confirmed, but both rifles have monolithic upper receivers, carbine-length gas systems, ambidextrous controls, MLOK forearms, are chambered in 5.56x45mm and while barrel lengths have not been announced they are likely to be a 14.5in barrel, perhaps alongside a 20in variant, with an approximate weight of 3.4kg.

*Member of the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group with CMAR, November 2025 (CAF)*

Variants of the CMAR have been in testing for some time, with variants initially designated the C8A4. In January 2024, it was reported that the first 500 ‘basic C8A4s’ had been assembled and supplied to the CAF for “final user input” on configurations. These have been seen in photos of trials with troops since mid-2024. Colt Canada’s MRR, or Modular Rail Rifle, was first unveiled in 2015. Last year, at SHOT Show 2025, I had the chance to take a look at the latest configuration of the MRR: the MRAR – Modular Rail Ambidextrous Rifle.

Over the last 18 months, a number of photographs have been released featuring Canadian troops training and trialling CMAR variants in various configurations, including with a SAI Optics 6 patrol scope and a 5.56 Huxwrx suppressor. Other configurations tested appear to have included carbines with optics from SIG Sauer, Burris and Steiner.

*Trials ‘C8A4’ during evaluations in 2024, equipped with Burris Optic (CAF)*

The promotional video released with the CMAR procurement announcement, however, features a carbine with a C8A3-marked lower receiver, a Strategic Services MFMD suppressor and a SAI 6 optic in FDE. These were displayed by Colt Canada at DSEI 2025. It remains to be seen if this is the final configuration of the CMAR variants are both equipped with the same optics and suppressors. In terms of what the final designation for the rifles may be, a clue appears to have been offered by a pair of photos shared by the Department of National Defence’s LinkedIn page, feature a carbine with a longer barrel which appears to have a lower receiver marked ‘C25’, suggesting this is a potential designation for the CMAR rifles.

The CMAR project will be delivered through 2 phases:

Phase 1 includes procuring 30,000 General Service (GS) rifles over three years. The estimated value of this initial phase is approximately CA$307 million, including applicable taxes.

Phase 2, which is expected to begin in year four under an optional provision, will include procuring the remaining 19,207 GS rifles, 16,195 Full Spectrum (FS) rifles, as well as associated ancillaries.

The two-phase approach spreads the cost and prioritises the replacement of the C7.

*C8 MRR with 11.6in barrel, at DSEI 2025 (Matt Moss)*

The Canadian government was also keen to highlight the economic drivers of the sole source contract award, noting: “The investment will bolster Canada’s defence industrial base for years to come, creating good‑paying jobs and contributing roughly $10 million annually to Canada’s GDP over the next five years.” The announcement added that Colt Canada has a commitment to include at least 80% Canadian content on the weapons.

The Canadian Army expects that the first deliveries are expected in 2027. It remains to be seen what the final configurations of the two variants will be and what their final designations might be.

Update – 8/4/26:

Colt Optics has announced that they have been selected to provide “a 1-6x LPVO”1-6x Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO), along with its custom dual ring mounting solution” for the CMAR GS variant. Colt Optics appears to be a relatively new venture and this marks their first publicly reported major contract. It remains unclear what the FS variant will be equipped with. In addition to the announcement an image of a CMAR marked ‘C25’ was provided.

*CMAR with Colt Optics LPVO (Colt Optics)*

Bibliography:

Defence Investment Agency awards contract to replace current Canadian Armed Forces assault rifles, Canadian Government, (source)

Colt Canada awarded $273 million CAD contract to modernize military rifles, Colt-CZ Group, (source)

This is an expanded version of an earlier version of this article published at TFB.

US Army Adopts New M111 Offensive Hand Grenade

It is 58 years since the US Army adopted a new offensive grenade, the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade is intended to provide enhanced capability in confined spaces and augment the venerable M67 fragmentation grenade which has been in service since 1968. The new grenade was developed by the Army’s Capabilities Program Executive Ammunition and Energetics in conjunction with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal. The new M111 replaces the Mk3A2 hand grenade, which the US Army notes has a body containing asbestos and is now considered ‘obsolete’. The M111 has been in development since at least 2020, appearing in the US Army’s Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals book in 2021.

*Diagram from the US Army’s Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals book, 2021 (US Army)*

The desire for a new blast grenade may have been somewhat informed by lessons learned from Ukraine where troops have been manufacturing their own enhanced blast grenades. M111 has an intriguing octagonal shape with a tapering neck, not dissimilar to the specialist Mk14 anti-structure grenades – which have also seen use in Ukraine.

“One of the key lessons learned from the door-to-door urban fighting in Iraq was the M67 grenade wasn’t always the right tool for the job. The risk of fratricide on the other side of the wall was too high,” explained Col. Vince Morris, Project Manager Close Combat Systems, CPE A&E. “But a grenade utilizing BOP can clear a room of enemy combatants quickly leaving nowhere to hide while ensuring the safety of friendly forces.”

*Comparison of kill, casualty and fragmentation radius for M67, legacy MK3A2 and M111 (US Army)*

What Are Offensive & Defensive Grenades?

Essentially, offensive grenades rely on blast while defensive grenades use fragmentation. Blast grenades like the M111 limit the radius of fragments, this is useful in confined spaces where friendly forces may be near the blast. It also allows the user to quickly follow up and the nature of blast over-pressure means that even an enemy behind moderate cover inside a room where a blast grenade has detonated is likely to feel increased effect. Conversely, defensive fragmentation grenades like the M67 spread out a wide arc of lethal fragments from the body of the grenade. This is ideal for engaging enemy in the open who may be assaulting the user’s position. These are best employed from cover where the user and friendly forces are less at risk of being wounded by their own grenade. This is something that has been part of Russian doctrine for decades with the RGN offensive grenade and RGO defensive grenade complimenting each other.

*Improvised blast grenades made from bottles and drinks cans (via social media)*

The M111 is 4.41 inches in length and 2.37 inches in diameter and is manufactured by Texas-based Day & Zimmermann, Inc.. It appears to use the same M213 pyrotechnic delay fuze and safety lever assembly – meaning the new grenade has the same five-step arming process as the M67, simplifying training, manufacture and logistics. From the markings seen in the new photographs of the grenade the M111’s filling is the RDX-based Composition A-3 high explosive with Aluminum powder, the M67 uses Composition B. The Aluminum powder acts to enhance the Comp A-3’s explosive energy. The amount of explosive filling hasn’t been disclosed but the grenade’s overall weight is listed as 12.6 oz, so the filling weight can be estimated to be around ??? It’s also worth noting that US Army’s Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals book, published in 2021, listed the explosive filling as PAX-3 suggesting a subsequent move to Comp A-3.

The new grenade provides soldiers with the ability to fight more effectively in close-quarter and urban environments by leveraging blast overpressure, instead of fragmentation to deliver lethality. It provides an alternative to using the M67 high explosive fragmentation grenade which in close-quarters could injure the user or any friendlies in the blast radius. In addition to the new M111 grenade a new inert, blue-colored, training grenade – the M112, has also been adopted.

This is an expanded version of an earlier version of this article published at Overt Defense.

French MAC 1950 In Ukraine

One of the more surprising pistols to appear in Ukraine is the French MAC Modele 1950. The MAC 1950 is a 9x19mm pistol which was adopted by the French armed forces in the early 1950s. It was supplanted by the PAMAS G1, a French-manufactured Beretta 92, in the early 90s, which is now in turn being replaced by the Glock 17. It would appear that France has provided the MAC pistols from their stores. It is unclear if any PAMAS G1s have been provided, as there are a number of Beretta 92 variants in use in Ukraine.

The MAC 1950 is a short recoil, locked breach pistol which feeds from a nine round single stack magazine. Compared to more modern pistols, and even some of its contemporaries, the MAC 1950 is somewhat obsolecent. As a sidearm, however, they are likely adequate for the roles they fulfil.

The first imagery of a MAC 1950 I have come across dates to in February 2025. I’ve been unable to find the original source of the images.

#Russia / #Ukraine 🇷🇺🇺🇦: A combatant of #Ukrainian Forces released photos of his recently-obtained pistol.

The UA fighter apparently obtained uncommon MAC Mle 50 (Modèle 1950) pistol which is originally produced in #France 🇫🇷.#UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/QZj2W7iyIT
— War Noir (@war_noir) February 22, 2025

More recently, on 17 November, a second sighting came when the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of the 3rd Assault Brigade shared a photograph featuring a French MAC 1950 pistol being fired during a training session.

Іван Савельєв, an armourer affiliated with the 3rd Assault Brigade, has also noted that some units are short on pistols and have issued MAC 1950s.

The pistols do not appear in either of the equipment lists released by the French government in 2023 and 2024.

Most recently, I came across another photo shared by a Ukrainian serviceman featuring a MAC Modele 1950, shared on 30 January (alongside a SIG Sauer P320).

My thanks to Weapons Illustrated for assistance.

This is one of the ‘research note’ videos I share on the TAB Patreon. It highlights early research into a weapon spotted in use in Ukraine ahead of a fully fleshed out video! If you found this interesting and enjoyed a look at the process of doing the research and making these videos check out Patreon for more of them (3 more in the editing stage at the time of posting). Check out the TAB Patreon page here.