Shotguns, helicopters and ‘airburst’ ammunition to guard against rogue drones during EU presidency

Ireland's Defence Forces are preparing to deploy a robust anti-drone strategy, including shotguns and machine guns mounted on helicopters, to safeguard against rogue unmanned aerial vehicles during the nation's six-month presidency of the European Union. Naval crews will also be trained to intercept drones from ships, while the Air Corps' training aircraft will be equipped with specialized anti-drone weaponry. These "hard kill" methods, drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, will work in tandem with sophisticated jamming technology designed to "soft kill" drones by disrupting their signals.

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These low-tech “hard kill” solutions – based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine – will be used along with advanced jamming technology that can “soft kill” drones by blocking their signals.

The military stated that this comprehensive security plan aims to establish a "layered" defense against potential drone incursions. This initiative is a direct response to the changing landscape of modern warfare, where inexpensive, readily available drones can disrupt civilian air traffic and destroy high-value military assets. The urgency for these measures has intensified following a drone incident in Dublin Bay during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit last December, prompting stepped-up planning for the EU presidency, which begins July 1st.

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This will provide a “layered” security against potential drone incursions both during the presidency and in Defence Forces operations at home and abroad, the military said.

Lessons from Ukraine have shown the effectiveness of even basic shotguns in destroying drones at close range. In the UK, soldiers are undergoing anti-drone training that incorporates clay pigeon shooting. The Irish naval ship crew that spotted drones near President Zelenskyy's aircraft opted not to engage due to a lack of appropriate ammunition and concerns about civilian air traffic. The new "counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS)" program reflects the Defence Forces' adaptation to contemporary threats, with specific training and equipment procurement underway for various branches of the military.

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Shotguns have proven effective at destroying drones at close range in Ukraine where even basic hunting shotguns have been pressed into service.