Metinvest launches production of protective armor for Patriot air defense systems

Metinvest Group has produced armored protection for the MIM-104 Patriot control module, which protects the Ukrainian sky from enemy attacks, as part of the Steel Front military initiative. The company said in a statement.

Metinvest engineers have launched the production of a unique armor plate for the Patriot air defense system’s brain center. It consists of almost 200 elements – plates of armored steel up to 8 mm thick that protect the air defense control center. The total weight of the armor exceeds 2.6 tons, but this does not affect the functionality or mobility of the complex.

The crew protection against shrapnel damage is made of 30KhN2MA steel, which is characterized by increased wear resistance, strength, toughness and resistance to mechanical stress. The first armor has already been mounted on the air defense control module.

A team of project engineers worked on the armor piercing, supervising the work of turners, fitters, mechanical assemblers, and electric and gas welders.

“Metinvest continues to actively expand its line of protective products for the Ukrainian army. The company has mastered the production of steel screens for the main domestic T-64 and T-72 tanks, American M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and is preparing to integrate them into various Leopard 2 modifications. So far, the soldiers have received more than 300 screens.

According to Oleksandr Myronenko, Head of Steel Production for the Ukrainian Army, Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest Group, the defenders of the sky also need reliable protection. This is one of the main areas of the Steel Front initiative, in which the company has extensive experience, and therefore it was entrusted with such a responsible mission.

“In a month and a half, we created a project from scratch and made a shield for the crew of the Patriot air defense system from Metinvest’s Ukrainian armor steel according to the drawings, which guarantees protection against fragmentation damage to both the defenders and the air defense control system. Our experienced engineers also supervised the installation of the armor,” he said.

In the face of a full-scale invasion, Metinvest’s priority, in addition to business survival and employee safety, is to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian army. To this end, the company has allocated UAH 4.4 billion for the needs of our defenders as part of the Steel Front military initiative.

Metinvest has developed a comprehensive system of support for veterans returning from war to help them integrate into the economy and social life. The company is implementing inclusive programs to employ and support the military.