The 68th Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Army has incorporated Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS 12 shotguns into its operations. This integration is part of Ukraine’s efforts to counter evolving unmanned aerial threats in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The choice to employ these shotguns follows a growing trend among global military forces to adopt effective short-range anti-drone weapons. The Hatsan Escort BTS 12, known for its semi-automatic action, offers a practical solution against low-altitude drones, which are increasingly used for surveillance and direct engagement in conflict zones.
The 68th Jaeger brigade’s training sessions have focused on maximizing the effectiveness of these shotguns in an anti-drone role. This includes targeting exercises that simulate engagements with aerial drones, aiming to enhance the accuracy and response times of the operators.
This initiative reflects global military adjustments to the drone threat, similar to the U.S. Air Force’s trials of specialized SkyNet Mi-5 anti-drone shotgun shells, which deploy a net to capture drones mid-flight, neutralizing them without causing extensive damage.