SwissP Defence introduces SHATTER4K. A highly effective ammunition for combating drones

At EnforceTac 2026 in Nuremberg, SwissP Defence presented SHATTER4K, a newly developed ammunition solution for use against small and medium-sized unmanned aerial systems (UAS). SHATTER4K was developed and tested at the company’s headquarters in Thun, Switzerland. SwissP Defence builds on more than 160 years of Swiss ammunition expertise dating back to 1863.

The sharp increase in the availability of commercial and military drones has led to a huge rise in demand for a reliable, scalable and immediately deployable solution for combating unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). Electronic systems such as jammers and similar devices are important, but kinetic solutions are a crucial element of multilayered air defence, especially at short range and in complex environments. SwissP Defence is setting new standards with SHATTER4K. The C-UAS ammunition is compatible with standard assault rifles and machine guns. No modifications are required. The ammunition is available in the NATO standard calibres 5.56 x 45 and 7.62 x 51.

SHATTER4K’s multiple projectile design sets it apart. Four effectors are released after leaving the muzzle, flying towards the target at a slight angle to the firing axis. This improves the probability of hitting agile air targets significantly.

One of the main objectives of the development programme was to deliberately limit the effective range to minimise collateral damage. SwissP Defence has perfected the combination of projectile mass, shape, and material. Despite the limited range, sufficient kinetic energy is released at the target to hit and damage critical components of a drone, such as rotor blades, engines, electronics, or batteries.

“The current conflicts clearly show that drones have become one of the main threats on the modern battlefield,” said the CEO of SwissP Defence. “SHATTER4K is a pragmatic and soldier-oriented ap-proach. Our ammunition is fully compatible with existing weapon systems. There is no need for modifications to the weapon in use. Unlike comparable solutions on the market, it does not damage the barrel. Accidental damage is reduced and the probability of hitting the target is increased. Our philosophy is to offer effective solutions, not experimental concepts.”

According to the development team, the controlled dispersion of the sub-projectiles is not a compromise, but a design feature. ‘Our goal was not maximum precision in the traditional sense,’ explains the head of development at SwissP Defence, adding: “We were striving for what we call “precise imprecision”. We wanted to achieve predictable and reproducible dispersion of the ammunition in order to increase the probability of hitting fast-moving targets such as drones, while ensuring the smallest possible and most predictable ballistic footprint.”

SwissP Defense