Private Paramilitary Organization Enhances Ukrainian Tank Defense with Steel Screens Amid Ongoing Drone Threats
In a significant development for Ukraine’s military capabilities, the private paramilitary support organization, Steel Front, has commenced the integration of advanced 430-kilogram steel grid screens into Ukrainian Leopard main battle tanks. This innovative defense measure aims to protect these critical vehicles from the increasing threats posed by first-person view (FPV) unmanned aerial systems, commonly used by Russian forces for drone attacks since the onset of the invasion in 2022.
The FPV technology allows drone operators to use video-based piloting systems, typically worn on headgear, to maneuver drones for surveillance and direct attacks on military hardware. Recognizing the urgent need for enhanced protection, Steel Front’s initiative comes in response to the persistent risks to ground-based military platforms.
According to Steel Front, the grid screens, sourced from Ukrainian mining conglomerate Metinvest, represent a cost-effective solution, priced at $20,000—approximately 0.03% of the value of a Leopard tank. Remarkably, these screens are being provided for free to support the Ukrainian military’s operational missions.
The steel grid screens are not limited to the Leopard tanks; they are also being fitted to several other military vehicles currently in service, including Soviet-era T-64 and T-72 tanks, American M1 Abrams tanks, and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Multiple repair bases are equipped with hundreds of these screens, enabling rapid integration into frontline vehicles—a process that requires about 10 to 12 personnel and takes approximately 12 hours.
Olexander Myronenko, Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest Group, emphasized that the primary objective of these screens is to enhance the survivability of military equipment without compromising its operational efficiency, crew safety, or maneuverability. “The survivability of the equipment increases by 30-40%. In real cases on the battlefield, vehicles equipped with our screens have allowed crews to survive attacks unharmed, facilitating their safe evacuation and subsequent recovery of the vehicles,” he stated.
Metinvest, led by Ukrainian businessman and Steel Front head Rinat Akhmetov, initiated the production of these steel screens in May as part of its ongoing support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Previous contributions from Metinvest include the development of decoy weapons designed to mislead Russian forces and distract them from attacking actual military assets.
In July 2024, Metinvest also unveiled a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) kit compatible with Kyiv’s Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, further enhancing Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. The company’s commitment to supporting frontline operations continued with the recent inauguration of an underground medical center assembled by Metinvest for military personnel engaged in the ongoing conflict.
As drone warfare continues to play a critical role in the Ukraine conflict, initiatives like the integration of these steel grid screens into armored vehicles represent a proactive approach to safeguarding military assets and personnel in the face of evolving battlefield threats.
