Italy’s Fabarm Launches Extended-Range Shotgun for Drone Defense

Italian firearms manufacturer Fabarm S.p.A. has introduced a new variant of its widely used STF/12 shotgun specifically configured for counter-drone missions.

The STF/12 Compact XL Range 22″, presented as a specialized upgrade of the platform already fielded by the German Bundeswehr as the Mehrzweckflinte 5 (MZF 5), is engineered to engage fast, low-flying aerial targets at extended ranges — an increasingly important requirement in modern defense and security operations.

The shotgun, distributed in Germany by Waimex Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH, features a redesigned 22-inch Tribore HP barrel optimized for range and precision. Its three-stage internal profile incorporates a Venturi-effect taper, narrowing the bore from 18.7 mm to 18.4 mm near the muzzle. This design accelerates the shot charge, increasing both effective range and terminal performance while simultaneously reducing recoil and improving accuracy.

An extended 108 mm XL Range choke further refines the shot pattern, allowing the weapon to maintain consistent impact energy at longer distances — a key advantage when targeting small aerial threats like drones.

The STF/12 Compact XL Range 22″ is chambered for 12/76 ammunition and offers a magazine capacity of seven plus one rounds with 3-inch shells, or eight plus one with 2¾-inch cartridges. Its reinforced barrel can handle a wide range of loads, including tungsten carbide shot specifically designed for anti-drone use by Norma.

The weapon’s construction features a lightweight Ergal 55 aluminum alloy receiver, a Mil-Spec Cerakote finish for enhanced durability, and a heat shield for sustained firing. A folding stock with pistol grip allows the overall length to be reduced from 102.95 cm to 80.95 cm for improved portability, while the unloaded weight is 3,760 grams.

Fabarm has also equipped the shotgun with its proprietary Quick Target Acquisition (QTA) sight, a 124 mm guiding ramp that naturally aligns the shooter’s eye with the target and enables them to track its trajectory and speed. Multiple front sight options, including fiber-optic inserts, are available for rapid engagement of moving targets.

During field demonstrations conducted by Waimex and Fabarm with law enforcement and defense agencies, the new shotgun achieved an effective range of up to 100 meters — a notable figure for a 12-gauge platform. Using 2.4 mm trap ammunition, testers consistently hit clay targets at ranges between 80 and 100 meters. Against larger targets simulating drone fuselages, the weapon successfully penetrated 40 x 60 cm plastic drone targets at similar distances.

The results demonstrate that even lightweight shotgun pellets can deliver destructive force to drone structures when fired at high velocity, making the STF/12 Compact XL Range a practical solution for short- to medium-range counter-UAV operations.

Shotguns were among the first weapons adapted for counter-drone use by individual operators, and their role continues to expand as unmanned aerial threats proliferate.

Compared with electronic warfare or missile-based systems, shotguns remain a relatively low-cost solution with minimal risk of collateral damage. Shot pellets lose kinetic energy rapidly after firing, reducing the risk to bystanders or surrounding infrastructure — a feature that makes them particularly suitable for use in urban or sensitive environments.