Ukraine’s Metinvest Group has successfully completed testing on a new sliding shield designed to protect US-donated Bradley infantry fighting vehicles from Russian drone strikes. The innovation, part of the Steel Front initiative, marks a significant step in bolstering the defense of Ukrainian forces on the front lines.
The newly tested sliding screens for M2 Bradleys were announced by Metinvest’s Chief Operating Officer, Oleksandr Myronenko. He confirmed that the shields are now moving into mass production. This development follows the company’s prior success in creating protective cages for M1 Abrams tanks and other military hardware used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Steel Front initiative, led by Ukrainian steel magnate Rinat Akhmetov, aims to enhance the survivability of Ukrainian military equipment against increasing threats from Russian explosive drones.
Myronenko highlighted the complexity of the new design, which required a special mobile structure allowing the screen to slide from the top to the side of the vehicle, adapting to different combat situations. This adaptability is crucial as drones, particularly first-person view (FPV) drones, pose a significant threat to armored vehicles. These drones can immobilize tanks, making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Read more from @ellliecoook for @Newsweek about how Steel Front initiative equipped U.S. Bradleys by protective screens to fend off drone strikes:https://t.co/0wPD6touLx#UkraineWar #UkraineStrong
— Steel Front (@SteelFront_ENG) July 29, 2024
The protective screens, costing approximately $2 million each, are set to be fitted onto Bradleys operating in eastern Ukraine. The Metinvest Group’s innovations have already proven effective in combat, providing enhanced protection for both crews and vehicles. Myronenko noted that the M1 Abrams tanks, equipped with the steel cages, have performed well in combat scenarios.
With the US having provided Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks and over 300 Bradleys, these protective measures are critical. The Bradleys, currently deployed with the 47th Mechanized Brigade in Donetsk Oblast, have demonstrated their effectiveness in combat and have been pivotal in saving lives. The introduction of the new sliding shields is expected to further enhance their operational resilience against Russian drone attacks.
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