Ukrainian Company Develops Steel Armor for Patriot Air-Defense Systems
A Ukrainian company has begun producing steel armor designed to protect Patriot air-defense batteries from Russian missile shrapnel and debris. The armor, consisting of small plates that wrap around the Patriot’s control unit, aims to enhance the longevity and effectiveness of these critical defense systems.
The MIM-104 Patriot system has become a crucial component of Ukraine’s air defense strategy, with Western nations, including the United States, supplying these advanced units to bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. Given the limited number of Patriots available, protecting these systems has become a top priority for Ukrainian defense efforts.
The armor production is part of the Steel Front initiative, spearheaded by Rinat Akhmetov in collaboration with Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel producer. The protective covering comprises approximately 200 steel plates, each 8mm thick, designed to shield the control unit from shrapnel and blast fragments.
Metinvest developed the project in under two months, with the armor weighing 2.6 metric tons. Despite its substantial weight, the protective layer reportedly does not affect the Patriot system’s mobility or functionality. Mass production is currently underway, with initial installations already taking place on active Patriot units. Video footage reviewed by sources confirms the presence of these steel plates on a Patriot control unit.
Since their introduction to Ukraine’s arsenal in April 2023, Patriot systems have played a pivotal role in the country’s air defense strategy. Operating alongside other Western and Soviet-era air defenses, the Patriot has garnered praise for its effectiveness, particularly in countering advanced threats such as the Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile.
The Steel Front initiative’s contributions to Ukraine’s defense extend beyond Patriot protection. The company is also producing protective screens for various armored vehicles, including Soviet-era tanks and American-made systems. These screens are designed to counter emerging threats, such as FPV drones, with cage armor becoming increasingly common in response to the growing drone menace on the battlefield.
As the conflict continues, innovations like these steel armor plates demonstrate Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to adapt and enhance its defensive capabilities in the face of evolving threats.
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