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.

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.

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.

---

Support Us: If you enjoyed this video and article please consider supporting our work here. We have some great perks available for Patreon Supporters – including early access to custom stickers and early access to videos! Thank you for your support!