U.S. Media: Russian AK-47 Manufacturer Develops Special Bullets

According to a report by the U.S. website Business Insider on April 10, the Russian major light weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov Group recently announced that it has developed and tested a 5.45mm rifle bullet specifically designed to shoot down drones, and plans to advance to large-scale production to enhance individual soldiers' capabilities against drones.

The 5.45mm anti-drone bullet developed by the Russian company. Source: Kalashnikov Group

The report states that this company, known for producing the AK-47 rifle, has initiated the technical development for mass production of this bullet. It is reported that the ammunition is compatible with the 30-round magazine of the AK-12 assault rifle, and each bullet can release "multiple fragment projectiles, significantly increasing the probability of hitting a drone." The bullet supports both automatic and single-shot modes and has been tested against drones in a hovering state as well as those flying at preset speeds and altitudes.

The report points out that similar design concepts have previously appeared in the Russian military. For example, in February 2025, some Russian soldiers filmed a video demonstrating the modification of 7.62mm bullets into shotgun-like ammunition using steel balls and heat shrink tubing. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, shotguns have been used to counter attacks from "first-person view" (FPV) drones, especially after both sides widely employed fiber-optic drones that are difficult to jam remotely, further promoting this tactic.

Ukraine is also developing similar anti-drone rifle ammunition, with a bullet named "Horoshok" (meaning "little pea") that can split into multiple fragments to expand the impact area. Kyiv has stated plans to produce 400,000 rounds of this bullet each month.

Meanwhile, Western countries are also conducting research on anti-drone rifle bullets. The U.S. Navy's Surface Warfare Center stated in February that it is developing a "drone killer round" whose warhead can split into three fragments. Some startups in Europe and the U.S. have also introduced similar bullets. The Belgian subsidiary of the French company Thales is developing a 70mm airburst rocket equipped with steel balls, which can be used to intercept drones like the Shahed.