As part of the Steel Front military initiative, Metinvest continues to strengthen protection of Ukrainian air defence forces. This time, the company specialists have produced and assembled a shell weighing over three tonnes to shelter key elements of the Patriot complex.

The protection consists of a steel frame and armoured plates. The construction simultaneously covers several important units of the system: the missile defence system's control station, a radar comparator (Doghouse), and a generator. 

"Under such war conditions, each minute when air defence is operational saves lives. Our protective shells are designed exactly for this purpose ‒ to ensure that equipment remains operational even under shelling," commented Oleksandr MYRONENKO, Chief Operations Officer of Metinvest Group.

Since the beginning of 2025, Metinvest has launched systematic work on protecting air defence systems. The first shells were installed at air defence facilities in spring, and since then, the structures have been constantly improved. Each new project is adapted to a specific location and type of equipment.

Dozens of specialists are involved in manufacturing the shells: milling, turning, drilling machine, and planing machine operators, electric and gas welders, locksmiths, forgers, and painters. It should be noted that for security reasons, all Metinvest's production for the army has been moved beyond the territory of its own enterprises: these are secret facilities whose locations are not disclosed.

Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front is the biggest private initiative supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As part of the project, companies of the SCM Group produce and deliver to the army modern shelters, equipment protection, electronic warfare means, transport, drones, fortifications, and other equipment critically important at the front. The initiative's focus is in-house production of solutions adapted to wartime conditions.