Metinvest, an international conglomerate with operations in Ukraine, Italy, Bulgaria, the UK, and the US, has announced the production of additional protection kits for American M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. This initiative is part of Ukraine’s "Steel Front" project, aiming to enhance the combat survivability of these vehicles against drone attacks, according to Militarnyi.
The "Steel Front" project addresses the newfound vulnerability of modern American combat vehicles to strike drones. Representatives from Metinvest noted that these advanced vehicles had not previously encountered such threats, making them susceptible to drone attacks.
Metinvest has been actively manufacturing protective screens for various military vehicles, including Soviet T-64 and T-72 tanks and American M1 Abrams tanks. The production time for one protective set ranges from two to ten days. Following production, the screens undergo rigorous testing at a training ground where military personnel provide feedback to refine the designs.
For the M1 Abrams, the protective sets cover critical areas such as the turret, engine compartment, and other gaps vulnerable to drone strikes. Each protective screen can weigh up to 430 kg and is designed to maintain the vehicle's combat functionality and operational efficiency.
In addition to the protective screens for M2 Bradley and M1 Abrams tanks, Metinvest has also developed “Lancet catchers” to counteract Russia’s ZALA Lancet unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions. These structures, measuring ten meters in length, are specifically designed to intercept and neutralize these aerial threats.
