According to several anonymous sources in the Danish Armed Forces, soldiers assigned to guard barracks and other military areas are now being issued shotguns to be able to deal with smaller drones.
Sources tell TV 2 that, for example, at Skive Barracks on Tuesday, Benelli M4 shotguns were issued to personnel. It is also confirmed at the Danish Life Guards barracks in Høvelte that soldiers have received shotguns that can bring down small drones at very close range — typically up to around 50 meters.
“That’s true enough. They are for when all else has failed and the drones are very close,” says a senior source in the Danish Armed Forces.
According to the same source, the Army has previously applied for 1,500 shotguns to combat drones, but it is only after this week’s events that the delivery has been put into gear.
Previous areas of application
The Armed Forces have previously used shotguns for other purposes, for example to kill animals in connection with oil pollution at sea or if the Sirius patrol encounters a polar bear. TV 2 tried to get an official comment from the Defence Command on Wednesday; only later in the day did the Defence announce that a shipment of shotguns had arrived this week.
Increased security and rapid procurement of systems
Since last week’s hybrid attack with drones, the security of military areas has been tightened: extra soldiers from the reserve and the Home Guard have been called up, permanent personnel are patrolling in infantry fighting vehicles, among other things, and the Defence Forces are working quickly to acquire more advanced equipment such as jammers and radars — equipment that, however, takes longer to run in. Therefore, the shotguns are considered a temporary but practical solution.
“It’s not as crazy as it sounds. In Ukraine, they are used in the trenches, and although we would like to have some more advanced equipment, it may well turn out to be a useful weapon when people learn to use them, “says a source with knowledge of the work with the new weapons.
Justification for not using standard rifles
After the illegal flights last week, the Danish Armed Forces have been criticized for not shooting down the drones. The explanations given by the Danish Armed Forces and the police have included a lack of accuracy and too high a risk to civilians. In a debate on LinkedIn, a military commander from Jutland wrote that it was emphasized last week not to use the Danish Armed Forces’ standard rifles (5.56 mm) against drones for the sake of civilians. A source explains that it is difficult to hit a drone in the night sky with a single projectile, and that projectiles falling from a great height can be dangerous for people on the ground — while shotgun pellets are estimated to cause far less damage.
Dependence on foreign support and criticism of lack of foresight
Several countries have contributed drone equipment to Denmark to help prevent new attacks during the EU meetings in Copenhagen. The government, the Danish Armed Forces and the police have acknowledged that Denmark lacks effective means against the type of drone attacks that hit airports and military areas last week. Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen (V) stated at a press conference that there are frigates and fighter jets, but that more advanced anti-drone systems must also be invested in. A central source in the Danish Armed Forces believes that this should have happened earlier:
“It is downright embarrassing that we are now dependent on support from other countries because we have not thought about it. It is incredible that no one has considered this threat from drones when they have prepared the security for the EU meetings in Copenhagen.”
None of the sources wish to be named for fear of consequences for their jobs in the Danish Armed Forces.
Facts: Benelli M4
Semi-automatic shotgun, made in Italy.
Described by sources as a “last resort” weapon in the event of drone attacks.
Used against small drones at close range.
More powerful than regular household shotguns.
Optimal range up to approximately 50 meters.
Source: TV 2
