- Japan's Ministry of Defense signed a contract on September 12, 2025, to procure M4 A.I. Drone Guardian shotguns from Italy’s Benelli for use against small drones.
- The semi-automatic shotguns use tungsten-based Lead 4 ammunition and NORMA AD-LER cartridges for close and extended-range drone engagement.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Italian arms manufacturer Benelli Armi S.p.A. for the delivery of M4 A.I. Drone Guardian semi-automatic shotguns, according to a report from Militarnyi.
The deal, concluded on September 12, 2025, is part of Japan’s broader effort to equip its infantry with systems to combat small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, manufactured by Benelli, is a specialized variant of the M4 platform optimized for short-range drone defense. According to the company, the shotgun features the Benelli Advanced Impact barrel system and is capable of engaging drones at distances of 0 to 50 meters, with extended range up to 100 meters under favorable conditions.
Japan’s contract falls under its project to enhance ground forces’ ability to respond to the growing threat of small drones, particularly quadcopter-style FPV UAVs used for surveillance and strikes. FLE has been designated the sole importer and distributor of the system in Japan.
The weapon is designed to give frontline units a simple, reliable tool for short-range drone defense. It fires specialized tungsten-based Lead 4 cartridges, coupled with NORMA Governmental AD-LER rounds engineered for long-range effectiveness against UAVs. The dense tungsten payload is intended to maximize the probability of neutralizing targets with a single shot.
Several European countries have already adopted the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, including Ukraine, where it is actively used to defend against Russian drone threats.