Indian defense manufacturer SSS Defence has delivered its indigenously developed T-12 semi-automatic shotguns to the Indian Army’s Northern Command to support emerging counter-drone operations. Designed as a 12-gauge combat shotgun with five- and ten-round detachable magazines, the T-12 incorporates a 20-inch nitride-treated barrel, full-length Picatinny rail, and lightweight 7075-T6 aluminum construction for durability and modularity. The platform has reportedly demonstrated effectiveness against low-flying drones at ranges of approximately 90 meters, addressing the increasing battlefield threat posed by FPV and quadcopter systems. The adoption reflects lessons observed in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, where shotguns have emerged as practical close-range anti-drone tools due to their pellet spread and increased hit probability against agile aerial targets. The T-12’s standardized components with other SSS Defence weapon systems also simplify logistics, maintenance, and operator training for Indian forces operating in demanding counter-insurgency and border-security environments.
