This is the Benelli M4 AI Drone Guardian anti-drone shotgun that Spain could acquire

Drones are revolutionizing the world of defense and also presenting new and difficult challenges that must be addressed.

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For years, various solutions have existed to combat drones, depending on their size and the height at which they fly. One of the lightest and most effective systems for shooting down small drones at close range is a weapon that has been available for a long time: the shotgun. This weapon, which uses cartridges loaded with pellets that disperse before reaching the target, is like a reduced and simplified version of some artillery systems against heavy drones.

The Ukrainian Army has been using shotguns against Russian drones for years, including traditional hunting shotguns, as we can see in this video. The success of these weapons against small drones at low altitudes has given rise to a new variant of these weapons: shotguns specifically designed to shoot down drones.

In 1998, the Italian firm Benelli Armi introduced the M4, a semi-automatic shotgun with a 12 mm caliber and seven-round capacity. Its first military user was the US Marine Corps, which acquired 20,000 units. Since then, other countries have acquired this weapon for their Armed Forces. In Spain, its first military user was the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), the Navy's elite unit. In 2024, the Tercio de Armada announced the purchase of the Benelli M4A1, with a 14-inch barrel.

So far, the main use of these weapons is in close quarters combat and assaults on ships. In June 2024, the Ministry of the Interior also acquired six Benelli M4s for its TEDAX robots (explosive disposal). Now, the Spanish Armed Forces may be considering a new use for these weapons, based on the lessons of the war in Ukraine.

Yesterday, Infodensa published that the Air Force has announced the acquisition of Benelli shotguns and laser designators for an amount of 1.3 million euros. At the moment, the model of the chosen weapon has not been indicated, but Infodefensa points to the Benelli M4 AI Drone Guardian, a model presented in 2024 by the Italian firm and designed to shoot down drones. Benelli explains this weapon as follows:

"For the first time, the 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun is used in drone defense, thanks to the use of specialized ammunition, like lead 4 in tungsten. With the introduction of the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, equipped with Benelli Advanced Impact barrels, another leap forward is made in precision and effectiveness. This advanced ballistic solution allows interception and neutralization of airborne threats with optimal effectiveness from 0 to 50 meters, with an extended range up to 100 meters in extreme conditions, maintaining precision and impact power."

The Drone Guardian has a 47cm barrel and weighs 3,900 grams. Regarding the effectiveness of this anti-drone shotgun, a few days ago the Finnish Kim Leppänen, world champion in shotgun shooting against FPV drones, published a video showing the Benelli M4 AI Drone Guardian in action:

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Images: Beretta Defense Technologies / Benelli Defense.