Rostec Unveils New Cartridges to Destory small UAVs

Russia’s Rostec unveiled new IGLA cartridges designed to destroy small UAVs such as the IGLA 30, 50, 100 and Tracer 75 with the number in the name indicates the maximum range of target destruction.

The anti-drone cartridges were displayed for the first time at the International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX-2025 currently on in Minsk.

The IGLA 30 cartridge is a containerless version - the pellets are sealed in the cartridge case with a wad. This design provides a dense and wide pellet spread, which allows for effective engagement of UAVs at close range.

The other cartridges are made in a container version - the pellets are packed in a special plastic insert inside the cartridge case. Such cartridges work better at long distances.

“One of the main threats on the battlefield today is mini-drones and the response to them is conventional rifles and shotguns, which can quite effectively shoot down quadcopters. Taking this trend into account, Rostec specialists have developed a line of effective anti-drone cartridges, the characteristics of which have been confirmed when shooting at real targets.

These cartridges place fewer demands on the shooter's accuracy, but are extremely effective. For example, the Mavic (DJI- Chinese origin) literally shatters into pieces when hit by the anti-drone Igla," said Bekkhan Ozdoyev, Industrial Director of the Armaments, Ammunition and Special Chemicals Cluster at Rostec.

The ammunition has calibers of 12/70 and 12/76 and destroys low-flying UAVs due to the kinetic energy of the projectile. The flight speed of the shot in special cartridges is at least 435 m/s, the shot accuracy is at least 60%.

The IGLA 100 cartridge contains a highly hard pellet weighing 42 grams based on an alloy whose density is 1.5 times greater than lead. Such ammunition provides for the sequential penetration of two 1 mm thick aluminum sheets at a distance of up to 100 meters. The use of such pellets increases the effectiveness of destruction of UAVs made of durable composite materials and with metal elements.

IGLA Tracer 75 is equipped with a red light element that visualizes the flight of pellets at a distance of 20 to 120 meters, which makes it possible to adjust subsequent shots. Therefore, they can be used to train military personnel to shoot at moving air targets.