As part of Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front military initiative, Metinvest has begun producing steel screens for Soviet-era MT-LB multi-purpose towing vehicles. These armoured vehicles are widely used on the frontlines and require adaptation to meet modern challenges, particularly threats from FPV drones.
MT-LB is a lightweight tracked armoured vehicle actively used for transportation of personnel and as a platform for various weapon systems. However, its thin armour provides no protection against modern threats, making it these vehicles frequent targets for kamikaze drones. In order to reduce the losses, the Steel Front has developed and started producing special steel screens that mount on the top of the vehicle's hull.
While Metinvest's engineers continue assembling protective screens for additional MT-LBs at specially equipped facilities, eleven vehicles already fitted with protective armour returned to their brigades for combat operations. Two protected MT-LBs have been deployed to the 110th Territorial Defence Brigade, where they are being used for evacuation missions.
"The advantages of a tracked vehicle over a wheeled one are especially noticeable in snowy conditions, winter weather, or when a wheeled vehicle cannot pass through mud, rain, or during spring and autumn weather challenges. Protection from drones is crucial today because they are fast, manoeuvrable, and devastating. That is why this steel screen is essential," noted Andrii BYSTRIK, Press Oficer of 110th Territorial Defence Brigade.
The steel screens were design by Metinvest's engineers in collaboration with the crews who operate these vehicles. The objective of these screens is to intercept the explosive blast wave before it contacts the hull, thereby preserving crew lives and maintaining vehicle operability. The design is optimised for frontline conditions: easy to mount, does not obscure the view, and allows the vehicle to navigate difficult terrain.
"MT-LB is not something new, but today it is once again serving on the front. Our task is to enhance its protective properties. The steel screens developed by our engineers are not a universal 'armour against everything', but they provide a chance – a chance to survive a drone strike, a chance to evacuate the crew, a chance to deliver ammunition. In this war, every chance can mean a life saved," noted Oleksandr MYRONENKO, Chief Operations Officer of Metinvest Group.
Steel Front is already manufacturing protective screens for vehicles such as Abrams, Bradley, Roshel, and Kozak Now MT-LBs join this list. The project continues systematically addressing the Ukrainian army's most vulnerable parts – vehicles that lack modern protection but perform combat tasks every day.
