Ukrainian Soldiers Reinforce US Tanks and Vehicles to Counter Drone Threats
In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian soldiers have sought innovative ways to enhance the protection of their U.S.-supplied Abrams tanks and Bradley armored vehicles. This has become imperative as drones have become a ubiquitous threat on the battlefield, capable of inflicting significant damage and casualties.
Protective Measures: Metal Netting and Steel Screens
To mitigate the risks posed by drones, Ukrainian soldiers have devised a unique solution: adding metal netting and specialized steel screens to their vehicles. These additions serve as a physical barrier against first-person-view (FPV) drones, which are commonly used by Russian forces to target military equipment and personnel.
The metal netting is designed to deter drones from flying into or under the vehicles, while the steel screens, produced by Ukrainian steel manufacturer Metinvest Group, offer additional protection against drone-launched projectiles. The installation of these screens has reportedly increased the survival rate of vehicle crews and prevented damage caused by FPV drones.
Necessity and Innovation
According to Oleksandr Shyrshyn, a soldier with the elite 47th Mechanized Brigade, the need for these modifications arose from the realization that traditional infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) offered insufficient protection against drone attacks. “If we were still using our old IFV-1 or IFV-2, the losses [would have been] two or three times higher,” Shyrshyn said.
Mick Mulroy, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and ABC News national security analyst, noted that the use of add-ons to protect tanks and other armored vehicles is not new. “Throughout history tanks and tankers have used add ons to try to defend against all of these anti-tank devices,” Mulroy said.
Production and Installation
The production of the steel screens is a non-commercial project conducted under the Steel Front military initiative, led by Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov. It takes approximately a week to produce one screen and around 12 hours to install it on a vehicle.
The project has expanded beyond the installation of steel screens, also encompassing the production of anti-tank hedgehogs, body armor, and innovative fortifications for use in intense combat zones.
Efficacy and Impact
The addition of metal netting and steel screens has proven effective in countering drone threats, reducing casualties and vehicle damage. “Now we see that we could have avoided losses we had suffered before,” Shyrshyn said.
The Abrams tanks, which are primarily designed to engage other vehicles, were found to be particularly vulnerable to drone attacks due to their large size and limited camouflage capabilities. The addition of steel screens has addressed this issue, allowing the tanks to operate more effectively in environments where infantry troops using drones are present.
Conclusion
The modifications made by Ukrainian soldiers to their U.S.-supplied tanks and vehicles underscore their ingenuity and adaptability in the face of evolving battlefield threats. By incorporating additional protective measures, they have managed to enhance the survivability and effectiveness of their vehicles, while preserving the lives of their comrades.
These efforts are a testament to the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian armed forces, who continue to find ways to outmaneuver and outfight their adversaries in the ongoing conflict.