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.

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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.

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.

SIG Sauer’s Machine Guns Around the World

In May 2025 the US Army type classified the SIG LMG 6.8x51mm machine gun as the M250, officially confirming the weapon meets US Army standards and requirements. Selected though the Next Generation Squad Weapons program, alongside the XM7 (MCX SPEAR) rifle, the LMG has since begun to be seen in service with other militaries around the world.

The SIG LMG is a gas-operated, short recoil, belt-fed, select-fire weapon with an overall weight of around 15 lbs (6.6 kg). It typically feeds from 50 or 100 round belts carried in quick-mounting pouches. It has a side-hinged feed tray and uses a hydraulic buffer recoil mitigation system with the combination of its moving barrel assembly and a hydraulic buffer mitigating felt recoil. Calibre conversion to 7.62×51 can be done with a barrel change and it can also be chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The US Army’s M250 Automatic Rifle does not currently have a quick-change capability as it does not have a carry handle on the barrel, in an effort to save weight, but the LMG does have a carry handle. While the M250 has a fixed stock the the LMG can be configured with a side-folding stock.

*US Army’s M250 with XM157 Fire Control System (US Army/Todd Mozes)*

SIG’s other machine gun, the SIG MMG, in .338 Norma Magnum, and SIG LMG represent SIG Sauer’s first foray into belt-fed machine guns. The .338NM chambered SIG MMG was developed following a US SOCOM request and SIG Sauer leveraged the same technology and design elements in the LMG when the US Army launched the NGSW programme in 2019.

The requirement for a .338 machine guns began to formulate in the early 2010s with General Dynamics the first to develop a ‘lightweight medium machine gun’, introduced in 2013. SIG sauer introduced their MMG in 2018 and it has been refined into its current form. The MMG uses the same gas-operated, short-recoil system as the LMG and weighs in at around 22 lbs (9.7 kg) unloaded. It has a free-floating quick-change barrel and a side-hinged feed tray. It has ambidextrous controls, a side-folding stock and can be used with either a 24-inch (610mm) barrel or a shorter 17-inch ‘assaulter’ barrel.

*SIG 338 MMG with ROMEO8T red dot (SIG Sauer)*

On October 9, 2024, SIG Sauer opened their new ammunition manufacturing centre in Jacksonville, Arkansas. During the opening a large display with the title ‘Major Global Contract Wins’ was seen revealing that at some point in 2024 the Israeli Defence Force had adopted not just the SIG LMG but had also become the first export customers for the SIG MMG in .338NM.

On 21 July 2025, US government contracting site SAM.gov shared a foreign military sale contract award notice, stating:

“The Government of Israel has entered into a Foreign Military Sales case with the United States for the manufacturing, assembling, testing, packaging and delivery of the commercially available Sig Sauer MCX 300BLK, 539 SRD762Ti QD Suppressor, and contractor spare parts, LMG 7.62 and special tools and gauges, and MMG 338 and special tools and gauges foreign military sales (FMS) requirements. The award was made on 17 July 2025.”

The FMS is valued at $95 million and sees the provision of an undisclosed number of both of SIG Sauer’s machine guns, the MMG and LMG.

*IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visits the Ground Forces headquarters at Camp Bar-Lev near Kiryat Malakhi on July 23, 2025. (IDF)*

In July 2025, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was shown a SIG MMG during a visit to Camp Bar-Lev. A photograph and a short video were posted to IDF social media on 23 July. The MMG is seen equipped with a black SIG Optics ROMEO8T red dot optic and a SLX338-MG-QD suppressor.

On 17 August an i24 news report suggested that the MMG would be replacing the Browning M2 but did not state to what extent. It also showed some footage of the guns being fired on the range. The report also names the Givati Brigade as the first IDF formation to field the guns, alongside special units.

In an Israel Defence article, published 18 August, Captain Elad, of the IDF’s ground forces training division, is quoted as saying: “It’s important for me to clarify – we are not replacing the MAG. It is a reliable, veteran and excellent tool. Our goal is to add another layer to the platoon’s capabilities, to give the fighters another layer of accurate and lethal cover, thereby improving their independence in the field.”

The same officer is quoted as saying: “Fighters who have experienced the new machine gun in Gaza told me – it is more accurate than our marksmen, and sometimes even than the snipers. It is a tool that makes the difference.” Around the same time the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit shared an image of a SIG MMG mounted on a tripod, firing from inside a building. It is seen equipped with a Trijicon 6×48 ACOG.

*A SIG MMG in service with the IDF (via social media/IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)*

On 20 December, the IDF’s Spokesperson Unit shared footage from an IDF operation in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. The video includes two brief clips of SIG MMGs firing. The MMG is mounted with a ROMEO8T red dot optic and a JULIET6 6x magnifier.

*An IDF SIG MMG with a ROMEO8T and JULIET6 (via social media/IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)*

On 23 December, the first short video showing SIG LMGs in IDF service surfaced online. A table with four guns is seen, three are equipped with FDE ROMEO8T red dot optic and black JULIET6 6x magnifiers. The fourth gun has a EOTECH red dot and all the guns have SIG’s SLX suppressors. The guns have fixed stocks, flat dark earth finishes and barrel-mounted carry handles. This indicates that the guns have quick change barrels, unlike the US Army’s M250s. In the video the Israeli soldier comments on the lightweight of the weapon and describes it as the ‘Negev replacement’, its worth noting that the basic weight of a Negev NG-5 or NG7 is a estimated to be about a kilo (a couple of lbs) heavier than the SIG LMG.

The second country which appears to have procured an undisclosed number of SIG LMGs is Mexico. SIG Sauer have a long history of providing small arms to the Mexican government, including 516s, 716s and MCXs with the Mexican Marine Corps’ special operations unit, the Fuerzas Especiales (FES) and P320s with the National Guard.

*Mexican Marine Corps’ FES with a new SIG LMG (via social media)*

In mid-2025 individuals believed to be with the Mexican Marine Corps’ FES were photographed with a new SIG LMG in a configuration similar to the M250. It had a fixed stock and flat dark earth finish but had a carry handle attached to the barrel. This again indicates the gun likely has a quick change barrel capability. The gun is believed to be chambered in 7.62x51mm and was photographed with an older fixed power scope. Another photo believed to originate from Mexico shows a pair of the guns on the bed of a truck, no optics or accessories are mounted.

*Thai Marine Police displaying a SIG LMG during a public open day, Jan. 2026 (via social media/ที่นี่สมุทรปราการ)*

Most recently, on 10 January, the first SIG LMGs in Thailand were seen in photos by a number of Thai media outlets posted showing Children’s Day celebrations at the Naval Academy and the Naval Museum in Samut Prakan. The guns were seen with members of the Thai Marine Police, a specialized unit under the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau. The configuration closely matches the US Army’s M250 with a fixed, rather than folding, stock, a flat dark earth finish, an SLX suppressor and an FDE ROMEO8T red dot optic and a magnifier. However, unlike the M250’s current configuration the guns have a carry handle which interfaces with the barrel. A configuration which appears to be identical to the guns seen in Israel and Mexico. As with the other procurements of the SIG machine guns its unclear how many the Thai police has acquired, it could be a trials weapon under consideration or a contract gun.

It’s interesting to see SIG Sauer’s machine guns begin to proliferate and gain procurements with military and law enforcement units around the world. From the information available it appears that the guns have been deployed operationally, by the IDF, but information about the performance of the guns around the world is still limited.

General Norman Schwarzkopf’s Gulf War Beretta M9

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to visit the Las Vegas Antique Gun Show which is always great to walk around. Rock Island Auction Company always have a stall at the show and never fail to have some extremely interesting pieces. One very special piece that was tucked away at the end of the display was a Beretta M9 and a leather holster belonging to General Norman Schwarzkopf who, as the commander of United States Central Command, led coalition forces in the Gulf War.

The Beretta M9 began to be issued as General Officer’s pistol in August 1986 when the first pistol, serial number GO-001 was issued. The General Officers M9s replaced the M15 1911-pattern pistols previously issued to generals since the 1970s. Unlike the more ornate M15s the GO M9 is identical to the standard M9 except for their “GO” prefix serial number. It was issued with three magazines, a Bianchi G100 pistol holster and a magazine pouch. This is the configuration of belt in which Rock Island Auction Co. received the pistol.

When they retire general’s may request to purchase their issued M9 General Officer’s Models from the Department of Defense. General Schwarzkopf retired from active duty in August 1991 and apparently purchased his pistol, serial number ‘GO-00698’.

The pistol is on consignment and set to be auctioned at an upcoming auction but RIA have already sold some of General Schwarzkopf’s firearms collection at auction in December. His M15 pistol fetched $70,500. Schwarzkopf’s M9 is believed to have been the pistol he carried during the Gulf War.

While Schwarzkopf’s can be seen carrying an M9 is much of the imagery of him from the Gulf War he is typically carrying it in a standard ALICE (all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment) webbing pistol holster rather than the Bianchi leather holster. In various photographs Schwarzkopf can be seen carrying both the OD Green and Choc Chip versions of the ALICE holster.

After handling the pistol for a moment you quickly spot that it doesn’t have stock Beretta grips, instead at some point the pistol has been fitted with a Crimson Trace (CTC) red dot laser grip. These were introduced in around 1995, so its likely these were added at some time after he retired from duty. I was pleasantly surprised to find that on touching the grip’s pressure pad the laser worked.

It was fantastic to have the chance to actually handle a piece of history like General Schwarzkopf’s M9. Massive thanks to my friend Austin Ellis and the guys at Rock Island Auction Co. for giving me the opportunity to take a look at the pistol and get some video to share with you guys. If you’re in the market check out RIA for updates on when the pistol goes to auction.

Bibliography:

‘Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78’, US Army, (source)

‘General Officer Beretta M-9’, Military Memorial Museum, (source)

‘General Schwarzkopf’s M15 General Officer Pistol’, Rock Island Auction Company, (source)

‘Laser Sights – The Early Days’ , Empty Cases, (source)

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Exclusive Interview with Murdoch & Co. at SHOT 2026

I had the opportunity to speak to Evan Murdoch of Murdoch & Co. at this year’s SHOT Show 2026. Murdoch & Co. have launched one of the most ambitious firearms manufacturing projects I’ve seen in a long time – recreating the British SA80 bullpup as closely as possible.

Speaking to Evan, I had the opportunity to ask him why he took on this enormous engineering undertaking, how the company approached the task and he ran us through the various clones of the A1, A2 and A3 that Murdoch & Co. have developed and showed us one of the guns stripped down.

Having handled the guns, albeit relatively briefly, at SHOT 2026 I was impressed by how authentic they appeared and felt. It’s an impressive feat to resurrect a rifle that has been out of production for 40 years.

Check out Murdoch & Co.’s website for more information.

Russia’s Missile-Armed Shahed Drones

Russia continues to rely on the simple but effective Shahed-136 (Geran 2) long-range one-way munition in its ongoing aerial campaign against Ukraine. Russian strikes, including waves of Shahed-136 (and decoys), have long been a nightly occurrence across Ukraine with the the drones delivering 50kg warheads against a range of targets. A Shahed-136 downed, on 4 January, by Ukrainian forces shows that Russia has again augmented the drone platform in an attempt to off-set Ukraine’s counter-Shahed efforts.

*Downed MANPADS-Shahed (via social media)*

Ukraine has been engaging Shaheds from both the ground and the air – with the Ukrainian air force’s helicopters and fast jets both being deployed to shoot down the Russian drones. While recently, newer aerial methods such as small, fast interceptor drones, have emerged traditional aerial platforms are still responsible for a considerable portion of Shaheds successfully downed.

In an effort to protect its Shaheds, Russia appears to have begun to arm the long-range drones with MANPADS – man portable air defense systems, which are typically shoulder-fired. Ukrainian military technology specialist Serhii ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov shared several photographs and a video showing a Shahed armed with a 9K333 Verba 72mm multi-spectral-guided missile. The 9K333 is Russia’s most modern MANPADS and while it is typically shoulder-fired to provide troops with very short range air defense capability, according to manufacturer KB Mashinostroyeniya it can also be mounted on aerial platforms. While KBM likely envisaged these platforms to be helicopters it appears that Russian Aerospace Forces technicians have been able to mount the small missile on Shaheds.

We’ve already seen MANPADS mounted on unmanned ground vehicles for remote use against drones and aircraft and we’ve also seen smaller drones equipped with firearms and rocket launchers.

The drone was reportedly downed by elements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade (‘Nemesis’). The unit shared some footage filmed by a small quadcopter drone shows that the missile on this particular Shahed was unfired and was manufactured in 2025. It also shows the ad-hoc nature in which the launcher has been mounted on the drone. Many of the wires and connections appear to have been covered with insulation tape. There appear to be a pair of servo actuators which, from their positioning, appear to remove the launcher’s protective end-cap and actuate the Verba’s batteries, the firing controls were reportedly cable-tied so that the missile would launch as soon the target was locked by the seeker.

*Geran-2/Shahed kamikaze drone with the Verba MANPADS (DIU)*

Since deploying the Iranian-developed Shahed-136, in both propeller-driven (the Geran-2) and jet-powered (the Geran-3) variants Russia has continually developed the base design adding various payload variations, engines and defensive counter-measures. The MANPADS-Shahed was likely developed to lure valuable Ukrainian aircraft into range, up to 6km, before taking them by surprise and engaging them with a missile. The missile itself is mounted along the drone’s centre-line. A similar modification of the Shahed began to be seen back in December 2025 with Shaheds equipped with a Soviet R-60 air-to-air missile. There have been a number of interception videos featuring these R-60 equipped Shaheds and some wreckage of a number of the drones has been. The missiles are mounted on a launch rail.

Interception of the Russian Shahed kamikaze drone with an installed R-60 air-to-air missile.

It was intercepted by Darknode unit of the @usf_army, using STING anti-Shahed drone developed by the @wilendhornets and funded by @sternenkofund. https://t.co/XHEjuCP31F pic.twitter.com/oje4VOXTbz
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) December 1, 2025

Beskrestnov notes that the downed MANPADS-Shahed was equipped with “a camera and a radio modem. The missile is launched by the Shahed operator.” He went on to warn Ukrainian pilots to be more cautious when approaching Shaheds and to avoid attacking them head-on. On 12 January, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (DIU) shared an interactive computer-generated diagram of the modified Shahed drone, showing its various components and configuration on the War Sanctions website which documents the foreign components Russia uses to build its weapons.

It’s unclear how many Shaheds may have been outfitted with 9K333s or R-60s but these latest developments illustrate the evolutionary nature of the conflict’s drone technology and tactics.

Update – 30/3/26:

Another interception video featuring a Shahed equipped with an R-60 air-to-air missile.

Russian Shahed carrying an R-60 missile has been destroyed!

The interception was carried out by the “Sapsan” crew of the 105th Independent Territorial Defense Brigade “Himera”. Since December, when this type of Shahed was first observed, several such drones have already been… https://t.co/sXbov6T2XL pic.twitter.com/cX60G1boUJ
— Спільнота Стерненка (@sternenkofund) March 30, 2026

Update – 31/4/26:

A downed Shahed/Geran-2 was found to be equipped with a decoy air to air missile, seemingly to encourage it’s interception according to Serhii ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov. The fake missile is clearly bolted to the body of the drone.

Tempest – Ukraine’s Newest Air Defence System

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have a mind-boggling array of air defence missile systems ranging from Patriot, NASAMS and S-300 to Stinger and Igla MANPADS. We’ve already covered some of the UK-led efforts to equip Ukraine with additional ad-hoc surface-to-air systems such as Raven and Gravehawk, which utilise air-to-air missiles like the ASRAAM. At the end of 2025, footage surfaced showing a new air defence platform, Tempest, which intriguingly utilises Hellfire AGM-114L missiles.

The system was first spotted in a video released by the Air Command Center at the start of 2026. A brief clip shows a nighttime launch of a missile, the flash of the launch briefly lights up the weapons platform showing a small vehicle with launch rails. The footage is low resolution but the vehicle is easily identifiable as V2X’s Tempest – a missile-armed buggy. It appears that the footage may date from November 2025, when a version of the clip had been previously posted with the vehicle itself blurred out.

*Screencap of a Tempest launch (Ukrainian Air Command Center)*

V2X debuted the Tempest platform at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition in October. V2X describe Tempest as:

“…a rugged, commercially based combat vehicle engineered for rapid, low-exposure missions. Outfitted with dual weapon launchers and a proven Counter-UAS capability, Tempest detects, engages, and defeats Class 2–3 UAS in adverse weather conditions—then withdraws before the enemy can cue effective counterfire. Stationary, trailer-mounted variants are also available for fixed-site defense.”

Described as a high-mobility air defence vehicle the Tempest pairs a Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road 4×4 vehicle, fitted with a pair of launch rails and what appears to be a Leonardo DRS Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR). The transfer of Tempest to Ukraine had not been publicly announced by either the company or the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Tempest – air defence system on the move (Ukrainian Armed Forces)

You may be thinking but isn’t Hellfire a surface to surface or anti-armour missile? AGM-114L Longbow is a radar-guided variant of the Hellfire which features an active millimeter-wave seeker giving it a fire-and-forget capability which can home in on its target. This also enables it to engage aerial targets. AGM-114L was initially selected to arm the Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) variant of the Stryker AFV to counter drones. In the summer of 2024, however, the concept was abandoned due to safety concerns that Hellfire missiles were not robust enough to withstand prolonged deployment in the field over rough terrain. The Ukrainian units operating Tempest may mitigate these potential issues by only mounting the missiles before deploying and their high operational tempo may also mean that the missiles are used relatively quickly once mounted.

*Inside Tempest – a look at the air defence system’s control pannel (Ukrainian Armed Forces)*

On 11 January, a volunteer affiliated with the unit operating the Tempest system shared a series of photos of the vehicle on an online forum. These are believed to have been taken during crew training. The most notable of the photos appears to be one showing the delivery of Tempest to the unit, with not one but two of the vehicles seen on the back of a lorry. This indicates multiple vehicles may be operational in Ukraine. Another, lower resolution, photo showed one of the vehicles with a series of victory tallies painted on a door, with approximately 17 outlines of Shahed drones visible. Intriguingly, the series of photos shared by the individual show two vehicles equipped with a Houser Racing bolt-on enclosure doors while another photo shows the vehicle with stock buggy-style doors.

*Photo potentially indicating the presence of more than one Tempest in Ukraine (via social media)*

Following the identification of the vehicle in the initial clip and the sharing of additional photos of the system online Air Command Center shared a longer video, on 14 January, showing off Tempest, complete with an interview from the vehicle commander. In the clip the vehicle commander noted that they had successfully engaged 21 Shahed drones since they began operating the vehicle. Other details remain vague, it isn’t clear when the vehicles entered operation service, nor is it clear how many might be in theatre. How the vehicles are employed is also vague, are they used behind the lines as a means of rapidly engaging enemy drones in a sector or are they a defensive element for a larger unit.

*Tempest – air defence system (Ukrainian Armed Forces)*

While the vehicle is clearly highly manoeuvrable its unclear if this is enough to protect it in the high threat environment it is likely to be operating in, if it is near the front-line. It’s also unknown how the vehicle is resupplied in the field, with only two launch rails and little space onboard to carry additional missiles Tempest must be paired with equally manoeuvrable logistics vehicles. Much remains unknown about Tempest and how it is being fielded. However, it is an intriguing concept for a highly mobile short-range air defence platform.

Colt Canada C20 Rifles in Ukraine

Welcome to another research note, the new exclusive series of videos I’m sharing on Patreon spotlighting some of the ongoing research I’m doing into the weapons used in Ukraine. In these videos I share progress on topics that aren’t quite ready for a full video.

In 2020 Colt Canada introduced the C20, a 7.62x51mm marksman rifle. These have been adopted by both Canada and Denmark. Within the last couple of months a number of C20s have been seen in use in Ukraine.

A member of the Sniper Company of the Rubizh Brigade has been photographed with a C20. The brigade has posted photos of the individual and the rifle on a number of occasions from early October through to December. The rifle appears to have a Kahles K318i (3,5-18x50i) scope in a Spuhr ISMS mount and an what is likely an OSS HX-QD 762 suppressor. The rifle also appears to have a LaRue Tactical RISR Cheek Riser for its Magpul CTR MOE stock.

On 6 November, another image was shared by the UA Snipers page on Instagram, a community page which focuses on imagery of Ukrainian marksmen and snipers. The photo appears to have been taken at the range and while it doesn’t show the whole rifle the close up on the receiver allows us to see the Colt Canada CAGE number ‘2C085’. Also just visible is the Spuhr mount’s SP model number. The optic appears to be a high-end Schmidt and Bender from the PMII series.

The most recent image was posted on 2 December, showing a pair of Ukrainian combatants with C20s, the rifles both have HUXWRX suppressors but its difficult to identify the optic due to the image’s low resolution. Similarly, they appear to have the LaRue Tactical RISR cheek riser seen on the earlier example. The rifles’ optics appear to be mounted in Spuhr mounts and have thermal clip-ons ahead of the scopes. The affiliation of these combatants is unknown, they may be members of the SSO. When asked about the rifles, the page which shared the photo, noted that “impressions and reviews are good.”

The configuration of the rifles is very similar to those used by the Danish Armed Forces. Denmark adopted the C20 in September 2020. https://youtu.be/hejJU-IPEZ4 /

The number of sightings of the rifles is relatively small, but enough to confirm that a small number of Colt Canada C20 marksman rifles have been supplied to Ukraine and appear to have been issued to several units. The configuration and accessories of the rifles seem to suggest they originate from Denmark.

Special thanks to the guys at Streakingdelilah, Mike and Dikobraz for assistance.