As part of Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front initiative, Metinvest has begun producing specialized steel screens for armored personnel carriers. These screens significantly reduce the threat from enemy kamikaze drones. To date, the company has manufactured 14 screens compatible with М113, FV432 and YPR-765 models.
The protective screens are mounted on top of the armored personnel carrier, creating a barrier in front of the vehicle's hull. When a kamikaze drone strikes this structure, its payload either fails to detonate or explodes at a safe distance, preventing critical damage to both the vehicle and its crew. Similar construction from Metinvest's production has already proven successful on Abrams, Bradley, and Leopard tanks.
The M113 armored personnel carrier is one of the world's most widely used and battle-tested combat vehicles. Developed in the United States during the 1960s, it currently serves in more than 50 countries. Ukraine received M113s through international partners, particularly the United States, Lithuania, Denmark, and Spain.
The main advantage of M113 is its exceptional mobility and ease of maintenance. Its aluminum hull makes it considerably lighter than most armored personnel carriers, allowing it to maneuver quickly even on challenging terrain. However, this lightweight design is also its vulnerability: the M113's standard armor cannot withstand modern munitions, particularly kamikaze drones, which have become one of the greatest threats on today's battlefield.
We have produced hundreds of similar screens for Ukrainian Defence Forces' vehicles. They have performed exceptionally well, saving tanks and armored personnel carriers—and most importantly, crew lives. That is why we are continuously expanding production: we are currently developing protection systems for dozens of different vehicle models.
— Oleksandr MYRONENKO, Operational Director of MetinvestIn modern warfare, FPV-drones have become one of the most dangerous weapons on the battlefield. They can strike moving targets with high accuracy, often evading conventional air defence systems. Light-armored vehicles like the M113 are particularly vulnerable to aerial attacks. Enemy kamikaze drones frequently target the top of the vehicle, where the armor is thinnest. Even a small explosive charge can critically injure crew members and disable the vehicle.
Currently, the Steel Front is actively delivering protective screens to military units using M113s on the front lines. Simultaneously, the team is working to improve the design by testing various materials and screen configurations to achieve maximum effectiveness.
