War often becomes a stage for innovation, as necessity drives creativity to address unprecedented challenges.
Ukraine, facing an ongoing conflict, exemplifies how local industries and expertise can adapt and contribute to national defense.
This dynamic has not only strengthened Ukraine’s resistance but also highlighted the resilience of its people and institutions in times of adversity.
Now engineers from Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel producer, have designed specialized armor to protect the Patriot air defense system's control module, according to Hotnews.
Protection Without Compromise
The Patriot system is a critical component of Ukraine’s air defense. It has been supplied by international allies like including the United States, Germany, and Romania.
According to Metinvest, the armor was developed in just six weeks, demonstrating the rapid pace of innovation under wartime conditions.
The armor is crafted from Ukrainian steel and includes nearly 200 elements, with steel plates up to 8 millimeters thick.
Weighing over 2.6 tons, the design prioritizes protection without compromising the system’s mobility or functionality.
Oleksandr Myronenko, Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest Group, described the project as a milestone in supporting Ukraine’s defense forces.
"We created this from scratch to ensure both the defenders and the control center of the Patriot system are shielded from debris damage," he said.
The Patriot system itself has been vital in countering air attacks.
While Russia has claimed to have targeted these systems, Ukraine has employed decoys and other strategies to safeguard its critical infrastructure.
Beyond the Patriot system, Metinvest is also producing steel shields for various military vehicles, including the T-64 and T-72 tanks, U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and plans to expand their work to include Leopard 2 tanks.
