Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front has commenced the production of defensive steel screens for Ukrainian armed forces’ tanks, focusing on the American M1 Abrams, Ukrainian T-64s, and Soviet-era T-72s. So far, Steel Front has delivered over 25 protection systems, including seven for M1 Abrams tanks. These screens aim to protect the tanks from FPV (First Person View) drone attacks, enabling their safe return to the front lines.
The steel screens are meticulously designed for each specific tank type to ensure they do not interfere with the tanks’ operations while providing robust protection. Each screen weighs approximately 400 kg and requires 10-12 specialists about 12 hours to produce and install. Oleksandr Myronenko, operational director of the Metinvest Group, highlighted the collaboration with military engineers to pinpoint the most vulnerable areas on the tanks. “The anti-drone screens help protect the most expensive equipment. More importantly, they protect the lives of Ukrainian servicemen. This has been our objective from the very beginning of the war,” said Myronenko.
Steel Front, an initiative consolidating the military support efforts from the businesses in billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s portfolio, provides these screens free of charge. In addition to the steel screens, Steel Front produces and supplies various defensive equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including underground bunkers, body armor, mine clearance trawlers, and lancet catchers. The company is also actively involved in constructing fortifications in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The use of FPV drones and loitering munitions has become crucial for Ukrainian troops, especially during periods of political stalemate in Washington that have affected US military assistance. These drones, guided by operators wearing virtual reality headsets, have been highly effective in frontline combat. Between January and February 2024, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries reported FPV production totaling 200,000 units, with claims that these systems have destroyed more than 65% of Russia’s main battle tanks.
FPV drones can carry various explosive munitions, providing enhanced accuracy and cost-efficiency over traditional artillery fire. The addition of Steel Front’s protective screens is a significant step in countering the threat posed by these drones and ensuring the continued effectiveness of Ukraine’s armored forces.
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