Russia continues to rely on the simple but effective Shahed-136 (Geran 2) long-range one-way munition in its ongoing aerial campaign against Ukraine. Russian strikes, including waves of Shahed-136 (and decoys), have long been a nightly occurrence across Ukraine with the the drones delivering 50kg warheads against a range of targets. A Shahed-136 downed, on 4 January, by Ukrainian forces shows that Russia has again augmented the drone platform in an attempt to off-set Ukraine’s counter-Shahed efforts.
Downed MANPADS-Shahed (via social media)
Ukraine has been engaging Shaheds from both the ground and the air – with the Ukrainian air force’s helicopters and fast jets both being deployed to shoot down the Russian drones. While recently, newer aerial methods such as small, fast interceptor drones, have emerged traditional aerial platforms are still responsible for a considerable portion of Shaheds successfully downed.
In an effort to protect its Shaheds, Russia appears to have begun to arm the long-range drones with MANPADS – man portable air defense systems, which are typically shoulder-fired. Ukrainian military technology specialist Serhii ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov shared several photographs and a video showing a Shahed armed with a 9K333 Verba 72mm multi-spectral-guided missile. The 9K333 is Russia’s most modern MANPADS and while it is typically shoulder-fired to provide troops with very short range air defense capability, according to manufacturer KB Mashinostroyeniya it can also be mounted on aerial platforms. While KBM likely envisaged these platforms to be helicopters it appears that Russian Aerospace Forces technicians have been able to mount the small missile on Shaheds.
The drone was reportedly downed by elements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade (‘Nemesis’). The unit shared some footage filmed by a small quadcopter drone shows that the missile on this particular Shahed was unfired and was manufactured in 2025. It also shows the ad-hoc nature in which the launcher has been mounted on the drone. Many of the wires and connections appear to have been covered with insulation tape. There appear to be a pair of servo actuators which, from their positioning, appear to remove the launcher’s protective end-cap and actuate the Verba’s batteries, the firing controls were reportedly cable-tied so that the missile would launch as soon the target was locked by the seeker.
Geran-2/Shahed kamikaze drone with the Verba MANPADS (DIU)
Since deploying the Iranian-developed Shahed-136, in both propeller-driven (the Geran-2) and jet-powered (the Geran-3) variants Russia has continually developed the base design adding various payload variations, engines and defensive counter-measures. The MANPADS-Shahed was likely developed to lure valuable Ukrainian aircraft into range, up to 6km, before taking them by surprise and engaging them with a missile. The missile itself is mounted along the drone’s centre-line. A similar modification of the Shahed began to be seen back in December 2025 with Shaheds equipped with a Soviet R-60 air-to-air missile. There have been a number of interception videos featuring these R-60 equipped Shaheds and some wreckage of a number of the drones has been. The missiles are mounted on a launch rail.
Interception of the Russian Shahed kamikaze drone with an installed R-60 air-to-air missile.
Beskrestnov notes that the downed MANPADS-Shahed was equipped with “a camera and a radio modem. The missile is launched by the Shahed operator.” He went on to warn Ukrainian pilots to be more cautious when approaching Shaheds and to avoid attacking them head-on. On 12 January, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (DIU) shared an interactive computer-generated diagram of the modified Shahed drone, showing its various components and configuration on the War Sanctions website which documents the foreign components Russia uses to build its weapons.
It’s unclear how many Shaheds may have been outfitted with 9K333s or R-60s but these latest developments illustrate the evolutionary nature of the conflict’s drone technology and tactics.
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The Ukrainian Armed Forces have a mind-boggling array of air defence missile systems ranging from Patriot, NASAMS and S-300 to Stinger and Igla MANPADS. We’ve already covered some of the UK-led efforts to equip Ukraine with additional ad-hoc surface-to-air systems such as Raven and Gravehawk, which utilise air-to-air missiles like the ASRAAM. At the end of 2025, footage surfaced showing a new air defence platform, Tempest, which intriguingly utilises Hellfire AGM-114L missiles.
The system was first spotted in a video released by the Air Command Center at the start of 2026. A brief clip shows a nighttime launch of a missile, the flash of the launch briefly lights up the weapons platform showing a small vehicle with launch rails. The footage is low resolution but the vehicle is easily identifiable as V2X’s Tempest – a missile-armed buggy. It appears that the footage may date from November 2025, when a version of the clip had been previously posted with the vehicle itself blurred out.
Screencap of a Tempest launch (Ukrainian Air Command Center)
V2X debuted the Tempest platform at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition in October. V2X describe Tempest as:
“…a rugged, commercially based combat vehicle engineered for rapid, low-exposure missions. Outfitted with dual weapon launchers and a proven Counter-UAS capability, Tempest detects, engages, and defeats Class 2–3 UAS in adverse weather conditions—then withdraws before the enemy can cue effective counterfire. Stationary, trailer-mounted variants are also available for fixed-site defense.”
Described as a high-mobility air defence vehicle the Tempest pairs a Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road 4×4 vehicle, fitted with a pair of launch rails and what appears to be a Leonardo DRS Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR). The transfer of Tempest to Ukraine had not been publicly announced by either the company or the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Tempest – air defence system on the move (Ukrainian Armed Forces)
You may be thinking but isn’t Hellfire a surface to surface or anti-armour missile? AGM-114L Longbow is a radar-guided variant of the Hellfire which features an active millimeter-wave seeker giving it a fire-and-forget capability which can home in on its target. This also enables it to engage aerial targets. AGM-114L was initially selected to arm the Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) variant of the Stryker AFV to counter drones. In the summer of 2024, however, the concept was abandoned due to safety concerns that Hellfire missiles were not robust enough to withstand prolonged deployment in the field over rough terrain. The Ukrainian units operating Tempest may mitigate these potential issues by only mounting the missiles before deploying and their high operational tempo may also mean that the missiles are used relatively quickly once mounted.
Inside Tempest – a look at the air defence system’s control pannel (Ukrainian Armed Forces)
On 11 January, a volunteer affiliated with the unit operating the Tempest system shared a series of photos of the vehicle on an online forum. These are believed to have been taken during crew training. The most notable of the photos appears to be one showing the delivery of Tempest to the unit, with not one but two of the vehicles seen on the back of a lorry. This indicates multiple vehicles may be operational in Ukraine. Another, lower resolution, photo showed one of the vehicles with a series of victory tallies painted on a door, with approximately 17 outlines of Shahed drones visible. Intriguingly, the series of photos shared by the individual show two vehicles equipped with a Houser Racing bolt-on enclosure doors while another photo shows the vehicle with stock buggy-style doors.
Photo potentially indicating the presence of more than one Tempest in Ukraine (via social media)
Following the identification of the vehicle in the initial clip and the sharing of additional photos of the system online Air Command Center shared a longer video, on 14 January, showing off Tempest, complete with an interview from the vehicle commander. In the clip the vehicle commander noted that they had successfully engaged 21 Shahed drones since they began operating the vehicle. Other details remain vague, it isn’t clear when the vehicles entered operation service, nor is it clear how many might be in theatre. How the vehicles are employed is also vague, are they used behind the lines as a means of rapidly engaging enemy drones in a sector or are they a defensive element for a larger unit.
Tempest – air defence system (Ukrainian Armed Forces)
While the vehicle is clearly highly manoeuvrable its unclear if this is enough to protect it in the high threat environment it is likely to be operating in, if it is near the front-line. It’s also unknown how the vehicle is resupplied in the field, with only two launch rails and little space onboard to carry additional missiles Tempest must be paired with equally manoeuvrable logistics vehicles. Much remains unknown about Tempest and how it is being fielded. However, it is an intriguing concept for a highly mobile short-range air defence platform.
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In 2020 Colt Canada introduced the C20, a 7.62x51mm marksman rifle. These have been adopted by both Canada and Denmark. Within the last couple of months a number of C20s have been seen in use in Ukraine.
A member of the Sniper Company of the Rubizh Brigade has been photographed with a C20. The brigade has posted photos of the individual and the rifle on a number of occasions from early October through to December. The rifle appears to have a Kahles K318i (3,5-18x50i) scope in a Spuhr ISMS mount and an what is likely an OSS HX-QD 762 suppressor. The rifle also appears to have a LaRue Tactical RISR Cheek Riser for its Magpul CTR MOE stock.
On 6 November, another image was shared by the UA Snipers page on Instagram, a community page which focuses on imagery of Ukrainian marksmen and snipers. The photo appears to have been taken at the range and while it doesn’t show the whole rifle the close up on the receiver allows us to see the Colt Canada CAGE number ‘2C085’. Also just visible is the Spuhr mount’s SP model number. The optic appears to be a high-end Schmidt and Bender from the PMII series.
The most recent image was posted on 2 December, showing a pair of Ukrainian combatants with C20s, the rifles both have HUXWRX suppressors but its difficult to identify the optic due to the image’s low resolution. Similarly, they appear to have the LaRue Tactical RISR cheek riser seen on the earlier example. The rifles’ optics appear to be mounted in Spuhr mounts and have thermal clip-ons ahead of the scopes. The affiliation of these combatants is unknown, they may be members of the SSO. When asked about the rifles, the page which shared the photo, noted that “impressions and reviews are good.”
The configuration of the rifles is very similar to those used by the Danish Armed Forces. Denmark adopted the C20 in September 2020. https://youtu.be/hejJU-IPEZ4 /
The number of sightings of the rifles is relatively small, but enough to confirm that a small number of Colt Canada C20 marksman rifles have been supplied to Ukraine and appear to have been issued to several units. The configuration and accessories of the rifles seem to suggest they originate from Denmark.
Special thanks to the guys at Streakingdelilah, Mike and Dikobraz for assistance.
On Thursday (4 December) Armasuisse, Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement, announced the selection of the SIG Sauer P320 to replace the venerable P75 (SIG Sauer P220), which has been in service since 1975. So I thought it was a good time to break down all of the major militaries that have adopted the SIG Sauer P320 over the last 10 years.
The SIG P320 is a modular, striker-fired pistol that uses the typical short-recoil, tilting barrel action, with a serialised trigger group available in varying grip-frame sizes. It evolved from the hammer-fired SIG Sauer P250 and entered production in 2014.
Full-size SIG Sauer P320 (SIG Sauer)
In September 2015, the United States Army and United States Air Force released a Request for Proposals for a new service pistol. This launched the Modular Handgun System program seeking to replace the Beretta M9 which entered service in 1990. The P320 faced off against a broad field of competitors including: the Beretta APX, CZ P-07, FN FNS, Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0, Glock 17 MHS and the STI Detonics STX. Down-selection and further testing took place in 2016, before the winner was announced in January 2017. The 101st Airborne were the first unit to be issued the new MX17 and compact XM18 pistols, and fielding continued into the 2020s. The M17 and M18 have a frame mounted safety and their slides are optics ready. The USAF and US Navy procured the smaller M18, with its 3.9in barrel. The USMC also eventually selected the M18 to replace the M9, M9A1, M45A1 and M007 (Glock 19) in September 2020.
US troops training with M17 pistols (US Army)
Almost 10 years after the US Army launched the Modular Handgun System program, it was announced that the MHS General Forces Configuration had been approved. The MHS GFC introduces new parts and accessories for the M17 and M18. This system allows units and soldiers to customise their sidearms to a greater degree. The new parts and accessories include new grip frames, flared magazine wells, gas pedal take-down levers, slide-mounted or stand-alone Romeo M17 Pistol Red Dot Sights and special barrels. The GFC introduces elements seen in the popular X-Carry variants.
US Army’s MHS General Forces Configuration (SIG Sauer)
In April 2018, the Danish armed forces became the second military to select the P320. The Danish Ministry of Defense selected the P320 X-Carry variant of the pistol. The Danish Army pistol trials began in 2017 and the P320 X-Carry beat competition from the Glock 17 Gen 5, Beretta APX and Canik TP 9 SF to replace Denmark’s P/49 (SIG P210) pistols. The Danish pistols have the enhanced X-Carry polymer grip frame, a flat trigger, an extended beaver tail, an extended removable magwell, an optics-ready slide, and a deep trigger guard undercut. The pistols do not have a frame-mounted manual safety. At the time of the adoption, Major Tom Elvius-Brisson, Chief of Weaponry Branch, Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization, said: “By far SIG SAUER’s P320 X-Carry outperformed the competition throughout our rigorous and stringent testing process… the pistol is the modern firearm we were looking for to support our soldiers. The P320 X-Carry has a larger magazine capacity, comes reflex red-dot ready for sighting, and has the ability to incorporate a suppressor – all extremely important features to our soldiers for their sidearm today.” It’s unconfirmed just how many pistols Denmark procured, likely under 10,000, and fielding of the Sig Sauer P320 was anticipated to have been completed by the end of 2019.
One of the less widely reported adoptions of the P320 came in 2019 when Mexico’s National Guard reportedly acquired 50,000 P320s. Some sources suggest that the pistol is also used by elements of the Mexican military. The pistols were procured in 2019 and appear listed in the National Guard’s 2021 Annual Activity Report. They can also be regularly seen as standard issue equipment in imagery shared by the Mexican government. Some photos of the pistols show the slides engraved with ‘SDN’ for Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, Mexico’s defence department. The pistols otherwise appear to be stock, full-size duty model P320s in black with no manual safety present.
National Guard on parade with SIG Sauer P320s and FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Mexican National Guard)
Canada became the next nation to select the P320, replacing their 80 year old Inglis-made Browning Hi-Powers. Opting for a full-size pistol with a 4.7in barrel, the pistol differs from the M17-pattern pistol in that it lacks a frame-mounted manual safety, and its rear sight is fixed on the slide, with the optics-mounting place located separately just ahead of it. It also has unique Canadian engravings on the slide, and both slide and frame are completely cerakoted in an FDE colour. The Canadian Armed Forces adopted the P320 as the C22, with an initial order for 7,000 pistols for the Canadian Army announced in October 2022. At the time of the announcement, Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, said: “The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need when they need it. Replacing the Browning 9mm with the C22 full-frame modular pistol (Sig Sauer P320) will help ensure the continued operational readiness and effectiveness of all our members.”
There is an additional option for a further 9,500 pistols to support Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and Military Police requirements. Canada’s transition to the C22 began in June 2023, when it was also confirmed that the Canadian Government was also in the process of procuring an additional 2,272 pistol and holster systems for the Canadian Army, 1,550 for the Royal Canadian Navy and 2,478 for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In December 2023, the Canadian Armed Forces also announced that they would start issuing the carry-size C24 pistol in early 2024.
Canada’s C24 pistol, introduced in 2024 (Canadian Army)
At the beginning of October 2022, the Australian Department of Defence announced that under its Lethality System Project LAND 159, a raft of new small arms were selected for the Australian Defence Force’s dismounted combatants. The P320 was chosen to replace Australia’s Browning Hi-Power Mk3s. The X-Carry Pro was selected as the platform for the Sidearm Weapon System requirement. The Australian pistol has a manual safety, suppressor height sights and a 3.9” barrel. It comes mounted with a SIG Romeo 2 (half shroud) reflex sight and Foxtrot 2 white light illuminator (which itself is designated the F10). In September 2024, this package was designated the F9. Unlike the X-Carry selected by the Danish, the X-Carry Pro chosen by Australia has its rear sight mounted on the slide rather than the optics-cut plate. Elements of the ADF’s 7th Brigade became some of the first Australian units to begin training with the pistols in August 2025.
Australian F9 pistols (Australian Defence Force)
As mentioned at the start of the video, Most recently, the Swiss Army has selected the P320 X-Carry Pro to replace the P75 (SIG Sauer P220). The Swiss sought a pistol with modern ergonomics, modularity and a 30 year service life. The tender for a new pistol was launched in 2024, from the pistols submitted five were selected for evaluation and three were down-selected. After further testing the P320 beat out competition from the Glock 45 Gen 5 and Heckler & Koch’s SFP9. Intriguingly, Armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement, noted that initially only the Glock 45 met all the mandatory criteria and was classified as suitable for service. The SIG, however, was selected following a cost-benefit analysis and Armasuisse notes that SIG Sauer are contractually obliged to resolve any issues and establish production of the pistols locally in Switzerland. The Swiss have set aside “a mid-range double-digit million amount” for the procurement of 140,000 SIG Sauer P320s, with the initial lot numbering 50,000 pistols. The image shared by the Swiss Army showed an FDE pistol while a subsequent photo shared by SIG Sauer Switzerland showed one with a black slide and a green frame with a Swiss Cross on the grip.
Image shared by the Armasuisse – a P320 X-Carry (Armasuisse)
Despite controversies surrounding the pistol, and SIG Sauer’s ongoing response,the P320 continues to win major military contracts around the world. SIG have optimised their approach: partnering on a number of occasions with credible local companies and offering a capable but, perhaps most importantly, affordable sidearm, as such at the time of writing the P320 is involved in a number of ongoing and upcoming pistol trials.
Special thanks to Greg Knowles for assistance.
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It’s been eight years since Glock introduced the Gen 5 series of pistols. Now they’ve introduced their next generation. Since its introduction in 1982, Glock has shaped how we think about pistols. And while the pistols introduce since then haven’t been as revolutionary they’ve proven the Glock is good at iterative innovation. The Gen 6 introduces tweaks to keep the pistol at the head of the pack. The new generation of Glocks launches with new Glock 17 Gen 6, Glock 19 Gen 6, and Glock 45 Gen 6 models, all chambered in 9x19mm.
Every generation of the Glock 17 (Glock)
So What’s New?
Firstly, the Gen 6 has the standard interchangeable backstraps but the enlarge beavertail is now integrated into the frame. More notable they have improved the ergonomics by introducing a palm swell to the sides and front strap of the grip. The backstraps also feature an all new blend of the RTF2 and RTF4 textures for optimal grip on the pistol. The Gen 6 pistols have a flared magazine well for quick reloads. And of course it still feeds from standard Glock magazines.
A new undercut in the trigger guard allows users to get a higher grip on the pistol, this, combined with new shelves (or ‘gas pedals’) cut into the pistols’ frame enables flatter shooting and better control and accuracy. The Gen 6 now features fencing around the slide release catches and also boasts forward and rear slide serrations which are angled deeper into the slide to enable users to wrack the slide more easily.
Internally, Glock has reverted to the original captive single recoil spring assembly. Additionally, the Gen 6 barrel is not compatible with earlier generations due to geometry changes. Other than that there is parts compatibility with many of the other components.
The pistols also have a new optics mounting system which is compatible with RMR and DPP footprints. There’s no sign of the COA system introduced last year with Aimpoint. This system has been rolled out across all the pistols and each gun comes with a series of polymer plates which act as shims and reportedly absorb some of the recoil. Finally, the pistols have a new factoryflat faced trigger design which retains Glock’s classic Safe Action system.
The pistols also incorporate the same changes seen in the recent Glock V series guns which are intended to prevent conversion to full-auto.
Below is a breakdown on the specs of each of the three new Gen 6 pistols and some hi-res photos.
Glock 17 Gen 6
Glock 17 Gen 6 – Full-size pistol
17 round magazine capacity
202mm / 7.95 inch overall length
114mm / 4.49 inch barrel
680g loaded weight (23.99oz)
Glock 19 Gen 6
Glock 19 Gen 6 – Compact
15 round magazine capacity
185mm / 7.28 inch overall length
102mm / 4.02 inch barrel
640g loaded weight (22.58oz)
Glock 45 Gen 6
Glock 45 Gen 6 – ‘Crossover’ (G19 slide on a G17 frame)
17 round magazine capacity
189mm / 7.44 inch overall length
102mm / 4.02 inch barrel
655g loaded weight (23.10oz)
While the Gen 6 couldn’t be described as revolutionary it does represent an iterative improvement on the Glock Gen 5 MOS pistols. Changes to the internals aim to further improve reliability and the more prominent external changes seek to maximise the pistols’ ergonomics and handling.
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Canada confirmed in September 2024 that it would be supplying Ukraine with “10,500 surplus 9mm pistols from our inventory.” These pistols would be the long-serving Inglis-manufactured Hi-Powers, which Canada is replacing with SIG Sauer P320s, designated as the C22. Only recently has imagery of the Canadian Hi-Powers in Ukraine appeared.
Canadian manufacturer Inglis produced the Hi-Power under license during the Second World War. Just over 150,000 pistols are believed to have been manufactured from 1944 to October 1945. These include two major variants the No.1 and the No.2 (Mk1 and Mk1*). The No.1 had a rear tangent sight and a mounting slot for a holster-stock (features requested by the Chinese government who made the initial order for the pistols). The No.2 pistols had a fixed rear sight, mounted on a slight, curved rise at the rear of the slide. They also lacked the holster-stock slot. The No.2 pistols were subsequently adopted by the Canadian and UK militaries. The No.2 Mk1* pistols are currently being replaced by the P320 after a remarkable 80 years in service.
In July, a Browning Hi-Power was seen in a training range photo was shared by the Deputy Commander of the 411th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The profile of the Hi-Power is unmistakable, but the resolution makes it difficult to confirm the variant; it does not appear to be a Canadian-made pistol. The style of the rear sight doesn’t match that of an Inglis-manufactured pistol.
Later in July, another image of the Hi-Power was used as a cover image for a video clip of an interview with the 411th’s Deputy Commander.
At the time, these two photos represented the only imagery that suggested operational use of Browning Hi-Powers in Ukraine. While there were one or two other photos reportedly from Ukraine they were more likely collectors’ pieces.
In early November, Іван Савельєв, an armourer affiliated with the 3rd Assault Brigade, shared a photograph of a Canadian Hi-Power, which was provided to another Ukrainian unit. The serial number of the pistol, beginning ‘6T60XX’, dates its production to sometime between August and October 1945, when Hi-Power production at Inglis ceased.
He subsequently shared a video shooting a Canadian Hi-Power at the range. It’s unclear whether this pistol is one which has been delivered to his or another unit.
On 18 November, another photo of an Inglis Hi-Power was shared by another member of the 3rd Assault Brigade. The serial number is not visible but the pistol’s slide is unmistakably marked No.2 Mk1* and Inglis.
The condition of the Inglis pistols transferred to Ukraine is unclear. The pistols in the Canadian armed forces’ inventory were reportedly highly worn with suggestions that in recent years pistols had been cannibalised for parts. This is to be expected from pistols that were manufactured 80 years ago though it’s unclear if the 10,500 pistols announced by the Canadian government were pistols which were in Canadian armed forces’ regular inventory. While the amount of imagery of these pistols in Ukraine remains comparatively small, the numerous sightings confirm that Inglis-made Canadian Hi-Powers are in active service with the Ukrainian armed forces. While the pistols may have been produced some 80 years ago and are arguably obsolescent the Hi-Power’s influential design and its decent magazine capacity mean that it is still useful today.
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A number of Chinese small arms and light weapons have turned up in Ukraine since the invasion in 2022, including Type 69 RPGs and Type 56 rifles. Another weapon that has been seen infrequently in Ukraine is the W-85 heavy machine gun. Chambered in the Russian 12.7×108mm round, the W85 uses a long stroke gas piston system, and with mount weighs around 39 kg (86lbs). The W85 is predominantly an export weapon and has seen use around the world.
The W85 was first seen in imagery from Ukraine in late October 2022, mounted on what appears to be a Fort Ranger pick-up. This technical was seen in a series of photos through November, with the gun mounted on a pintle. The source suggests it was used to shoot down Shahed-136/Geran-2 one-way munitions (long range kamikaze drones) when they first began to appear in southern Ukraine.
The next sighting came in January 2024, when a photo of Ukrainian Territorial Defence forces posing next to another technical was shared. The gun appears to be mounted on a locally-produced mount on the back of a Nissan Navara.
In February 2025, 122nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade shared photos of what they describe as a ‘mobile fire team’ equipped with a pick-up and a HMMWV. As well as an W85, an M2 Browning and a DShK. A month later at the start of March Weapons Illustrated shared a video showing a W85 being disassembled. The gun in the video can be identified as a Norinco CS/LM3 HMG from the receiver markings. This is interesting as the CS/LM3 is an export version of the W85 chambered in the 12.7x99mm NATO caliber. It is unclear if any of the other W85s sighted are also this variant and chambered, as imagery doesn’t enable us to positively identify them.
On 22 May, the 122nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade shared photos of a W85 outfitted for engaging Russian UAVs like Shahed-136s. The gun appears to have a high-power light mounted.
On 25 October, Ukrainian photographer Mykyta Kuznetsov photographed a mobile anti-drone unit on the outskirts of Kharkiv. The unit was photographed with their pick-up mounted with a W85 on a pintle. The Ford Ranger’s bed has been removed and replaced with a circular platform to allow the gunner to move more easily when engaging moving targets.
The number of W85 in Ukraine is unknown but likely small. It is unclear how the guns seen in 2022 arrived in country or if any of those seen subsequently originated from the US’ transfer of seized Iranian arms shipments. It appears that the guns have largely been issued to Territorial Defence Force units, which are predominantly tasked with air defence operations against Russian Shahed one-way munitions.
Addendum: There has been at least one sighting of a Chinese Type 54, a clone of the DSHk, in Ukrainian service dating from March 2024.
Chinese Type 54 HMG in service with Ukrainian forces during training, March 2024 pic.twitter.com/ZmhMfBqEIc
An additional photo of a W85, dating from 2023, posted by the 241st Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence Force.
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POV – You’re just back from an exciting day walking around the 1989 Arms Expo. You begin unpacking all of the brochures about the latest cutting edge firearms that you picked up! You start with some SIG brochures a nice man from Bern enthusiastically gave you….
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The APILAS or Armour-Piercing Infantry Light Arm System, developed by France’s GIAT Industries in the early 1980s, is perhaps one of the rarest shoulder-fired anti-armour weapon systems to appear in Ukraine. APILAS is a 112mm anti-armour weapon with a 1.5kg shaped charge warhead capable of penetrating more than 750mm or rolled homogeneous armour.
The APILAS seen in Ukraine are most likely to have originated from either France or Finland, with Finland being the more likely.
In late February 2022, with Russian forces massed on Ukraine’s borders, the Finnish government made a rare public declaration of military aid to Ukraine. This included figures for a number of different weapon systems. The announcement stated: “Finland will deliver 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 cartridges for the assault rifles, 1,500 single-shot anti-tank weapons.” The announcement didn’t specify the type of anti-tank weapons to be sent; however, and from Finish inventory these may have included APILAS, M72 LAWs or even NLAWs.
An APILAS seen in a video dating from 2021, filmed during fighting on the Donbas line of contact (via social media)
APILAS have been seen in Ukraine before Russia’s invasion in 2022, one was seen in a video dating from November 2021. It is unclear when the first APILAS were first transferred to Ukraine, and the weapons seen subsequently may originate from an earlier, pre-2022 invasion transfer.
APILAS in a Ukrainian armoury, c.2023 (via social media)
In April 2023 a photo of an APILAS in a Ukrainian armoury surfaced, sadly no markings are visible in the image. Several months later, on 19 and 20 June, Red Line Team, a unit affiliated with the Ukrainian security services special forces unit, SBU-Alpha, shared imagery from a range trip where a wide variety of anti-armour systems were fired. One of the weapons featured in the video was an APILAS.
(Red Line Team)
APILAS have also been seen with the Assault Bastards, a unit believed to be part of the Kraken Regiment’s 2nd Assault Company, which is part of the Department of Active Operations of Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate (the GUR). On 13 May, the unit shared a group photo which also featured three APILAS.
(Assault Bastards)
Most recently Shybenyk.Squad, another unit with Kraken’s 2nd Assault Company, shared a photo of an APILAS. This photo also appears to have possibly been taken at a range rather than in the field. Speaking to Shybenyk.Squad they explained that they have a decent number of APILAS in store and have used them operationally.
(Shybenyk.Squad)
APILAS has a reputation for having considerable concussive force when firing but Shybenyk.Squad noted that it’s blast isn’t that bad comparatively, describing it as ‘not critical’, during a recent trip to the training range the unit test fired 6 APILAS.
While APILAS are rarely seen in imagery from the conflict Shybenyk.Squad noted that they have a significant number of them in stores. They favour them for operations where more expensive complex systems, like NLAW or Javelin, may be lost. Shybenyk.Squad explained that “they can definitely be useful in certain situations… [systems such as] NLAW are much more expensive, high-tech, more effective, but losing it is much more problematic and in some risky tasks it is better to take a less expensive weapon.” In general they noted that they favour the AT4 and RGW-90 Matador “due to the weight to the corresponding firepower and ease of use.”
(Shybenyk.Squad)
Operationally they favour the APILAS’ for its penetration capabilities, with sources suggesting it can penetrate around 2 metres of concrete, making it is an excellent weapon for mouse-holing – breaching structures. Shybenyk.Squad explained that they “once used it to break through a small wall to storm a building from a blind side not protected by the enemy.”
APILAS is one of the most rarely seen anti-armour weapons currently being fielded in Ukraine so I’m pleased to be able to share some good first hand imagery and feedback on its capabilities.
Special thanks to Shybenyk.Squad for sharing additional imagery and sharing their thoughts on APILAS.
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Friends and colleagues at the Centre for the Study of Arms History (CSAH), a relatively new international organisation which is supporting academic research into arms history, reached out and asked if I could help get the word out about a pair of funded fellowships to support researchers who are just starting out. I’m all for this and I know that some people who follow TAB are researchers themselves and might be interested in applying.
Below is a video from historian Ashley Hlebinsky, one of the founders of the CSAH, explaining the fellowships and what they offer.
The ARES Emerging Experts Fellowship
Available to early-career researchers undertaking or having recently completed postgraduate study, the ARES Emerging Experts Fellowship supports the production of a discrete, publishable output—such as a journal article, technical report, or literature review—on a topic related to the study of contemporary arms or munitions (1800 to present day). Fellows are selected based on research excellence and potential, and are matched with a mentor from the ARES team. The fellowship provides financial and practical support to advance original, high-quality research and help position recipients as future leaders in the field. More info here.
Funder: Armament Research Services (ARES) Application deadline: 31 November 2025 Appointments made: November–December Term of appointment: 1 year Location: Remote Value of appointment: $1,000 USD
The CFM Early-career Fellowship
The Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) Early-career Fellowship is awarded to a researcher with fewer than three years of experience in arms history or a related field, and specifically includes those individuals seeking to pivot from an unrelated field or professionalise their informal experience (e.g., collectors). The CFM Early-career Fellowship is awarded to support a project which will benefit from access to the world-class collections of the museum, which forms part of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Interactions with the Museum’s symposium, Arsenals of History, and journal, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, are encouraged. More info here.
Funder: Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) Application deadline: 31 November 2025 Appointments made: November–December Term of appointment: 1 year Location: Remote with subsidised travel Value of appointment: $1,500 USD
The Armourers Bench 
