French Leclerc tank shoots down FPV drone with shotgun-like shell in Abu Dhabi trials

France demonstrated in Abu Dhabi that its Leclerc main battle tank can shoot down FPV drones using a special 120mm canister round. The OEFC F1 munition disperses approximately 1,100 tungsten balls, creating a cloud effect similar to a giant shotgun. The trials mark a significant step in adapting armoured vehicles to counter the growing drone threat on modern battlefields.

France has demonstrated in Abu Dhabi that its Leclerc main battle tank is capable of shooting down fast-moving FPV drones — using a specially designed munition rather than conventional anti-aircraft systems.

The trials made use of the OEFC F1, a 120mm canister-type round that does not fire a single large projectile. Instead, it disperses a cloud of approximately 1,100 tungsten balls upon detonation, functioning much like an oversized shotgun blast. The spread dramatically increases the probability of hitting small, agile drones that are difficult to track and engage with standard munitions.

## A new answer to drone threats

The demonstration highlights a growing challenge for armoured forces worldwide: FPV drones have proven highly effective against tanks in recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, where cheap commercial drones have been responsible for a significant number of armoured vehicle losses. Traditional active protection systems are designed primarily against missiles and rocket-propelled grenades, not small, fast drones.

By adapting the tank's main gun to fire canister rounds, France is exploring a low-cost, immediately available counter-drone option that does not require additional hardware to be mounted on the vehicle. The Leclerc is France's primary main battle tank, operated by the French Army and also exported to the United Arab Emirates — making Abu Dhabi a particularly fitting location for such a trial.

## Broader implications for armoured warfare

The Abu Dhabi test reflects a broader shift in military thinking about how armoured platforms must evolve to survive on the modern battlefield. As drone technology continues to advance and proliferate, armies are racing to find practical solutions that can be fielded quickly. The canister round approach suggests that, at least for now, some answers may already exist in existing ammunition stockpiles — they simply need to be repurposed.