Kalashnikov signs deal to make anti-drone shotguns in India
Russian weapons maker Kalashnikov has signed a licensing agreement to produce anti-drone shotguns in India, expanding its small-arms collaboration with New Delhi.
The agreement covers local production of the MP-155 model by an Indian company, with support from Kalashnikov, company President Alan Lushnikov told reporters on Monday, TASS reported.
The MP-155 is a semiautomatic, 12-gauge shotgun developed by the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, where its production began in 2012. Originally designed for civilian hunting, the weapon has since been adapted for use against low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The model has proved suitable for counter-drone operations and is being promoted in international markets, Lushnikov said. Kalashnikov has also developed a specialized version capable of engaging low-flying aerial targets at distances of 50 to 100 meters.
📹 Russia Signs Deal To Produce MP-155 Shotguns In 🇮🇳 Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov confirmed that the company has signed a contract for licensed production of the semi-automatic shotguns in India. Originally designed as a hunting platform, the 12-gauge firearm has been adapted into a front-line counter-UAV weapon, firing specialized shot cartridges to shred low-flying kamikaze and FPV drones at short range.
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 3, 2026
The Indian partner, proposed manufacturing location, production volumes, contract value, and timeline have not been disclosed. The agreement builds on the company’s existing small-arms business in India.
Kalashnikov is a partner in Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture involving Russian and Indian defense companies that manufactures AK-203 assault rifles in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state. The program involves a phased transfer of Russian manufacturing technology, with the share of locally produced components increasing over time.
In June, Kalashnikov signed contracts to supply anti-drone shotguns, specialized cartridges, and pistols to Indian customers by the end of 2026. The agreements were announced during the India Homeland Security Expo in New Delhi, where the Russian company showcased the MP-155 and Saiga shotguns, RT previously reported.
Kalashnikov’s business development director in India, Maksim Karavaev, said at the time that demand for counter-drone protection was growing internationally.
