**MILAN —** The Lithuanian Army has recently tested heavy machine guns and Swedish-designed surface-to-air missiles against high-speed drones, indicating a growing interest among militaries in using firearms as last-resort countermeasures against aerial threats.
In a video shared by the Lithuanian armed forces this week, air defense artillery units conducted training exercises featuring large-caliber machine guns and Saab-made RBS 70 NG missiles targeting drones. Footage from the exercises displayed armored vehicles equipped with machine guns, filmed at a training range located less than ten kilometers from the Belarus border.
The Lietuvos kariuomenė, Lithuania’s armed forces, stated, “Testing of weapon systems (heavy machine guns, RBS, FPV drones) against drones at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground – some work the first time, some don’t. But that’s why we test and weapon crews train to attack this type of target.”
This military drill follows the adoption of a new law in late October, granting the Lithuanian military the authority to shoot down hostile drones, allowing for a faster response in cases of airspace violations. On October 23, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda reported that Russian military planes had briefly violated Lithuania’s airspace, which he called “a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity.”
In related developments, the use of light weapons, such as shotguns, against drones has garnered attention amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A recent drone countermeasure developed by Ukraine involves a unique ammunition round for rifles that fires five projectiles in a cloud-shaped pattern, effective for hitting drones at distances of up to 50 meters. This innovation is intended to enable infantry soldiers to switch ammunition quickly based on whether they are targeting drones or personnel.
The British Army’s Experimentation and Trials Group is also exploring the potential of shotguns as a defense against drones. A report from the Center for European Policy Analysis emphasizes that employing guns alongside interceptor drones, rather than relying solely on missiles, may provide a more cost-effective solution for defeating swarms of low-cost drones.
The report warns that if Russia were to launch massive drone strikes, Ukraine could deplete its missile reserves rapidly. It advocates for a strategy combining modern flak systems and interceptor drones, noting that systems like the German Gepard Flakpanzer can carry up to 640 rounds, and the Rheinmetall Skyranger 35 can accommodate 220 rounds in a single turret while enabling quick retargeting.
**Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo** is a correspondent based in Milan, Italy, reporting for Defense News, where she covers military procurement and international security, with a specialization in aviation sector issues.
