Ukraine’s Bradley Fighting Vehicles gain new defensive edge with shields: Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front starts testing new steel screens

Kyiv, 04 July 2024 – The deployment of Bradley Fighting Vehicles, provided by the US, has played a crucial role in strengthening Ukrainian defences against Russian aggression. As part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front, Metinvest is now producing steel screens to protect the Bradleys. The first samples will be tested within a week.

Bradleys are highly valued for their durability, mobility and firepower. However, they are not invulnerable and nor are the soldiers operating them.

The Steel Front screens completely enclose the turret, engine compartment and openings where a drone could infiltrate and disable the tank or disrupt the turret. The design and manufacture of the shields has included constant feedback from soldiers to ensure they meet all their requirements.

Oleksandr Myronenko, Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest Group, said, “The use of drones in Ukraine today is unprecedented: it wasn’t the case in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere. That’s why there is no experience in protecting vehicles from drone attacks. Once we get feedback from the military from the tests of the first shields, we will refine them and scale up production, providing our soldiers with more protection.”

The importance of these vehicles in the conflict cannot be overstated. Bradley Fighting Vehicles have consistently demonstrated their reliability and versatility in a range of operations, from rescue operations under heavy fire and serving as effective combat units. The integration of steel screens further augments these capabilities, ensuring Ukrainian forces can continue to rely on Bradleys.

Myronenko concluded, “The ongoing support from the US, which includes advanced vehicles like the Bradley, as well as wide-ranging support for Ukrainian companies, underscores the world’s collaborative efforts to fortify Ukraine’s defence and support us in this war. As a Ukrainian business, we are very clear that we also need to do everything we can to support our soldiers by making them as safe as possible.”

The Steel Front shields being developed for the Bradley Fighting Vehicles complement the shields Steel Front is already providing for M1 Abrams, T-64 and T-72 tanks.

Photo courtesy Steel Front