Steel Front has delivered three Swedish tactical boats, the CB90 fast assault craft, to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to support defenses against Russia’s aggression. The vessels measure 15.9 meters (52 feet) with a beam of 3.8 meters (12.6 feet) and are powered by twin 625-horsepower diesel engines, reaching a maximum speed of 40 knots (74 kilometers/46 miles per hour) and a range of 240 nautical miles (440 kilometers). The boats can carry a crew of three and more than 20 amphibious personnel and are equipped with Browning machine guns, naval mines, grenade launchers, remote-controlled weapon stations, and depth charges.
The CB90s and associated training provided to Ukrainian warfighters by Steel Front cost more than $4.1 million. Since February 2022, Steel Front has provided over $200 million in support to both the Ukrainian military and civilians. The company is owned by Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, who operates under Metinvest Holdings, a multinational mining and metals group. Akhmetov is recognized for his military initiative, which has received praise from Western partners.
Ukraine is set to receive additional support from international partners to strengthen its armed forces against Russia’s ongoing aggression. Ottawa will supply 10 rigid-hull boats to Kyiv, while Australia delivered Sentinel inflatable boats in May. Last year, the Netherlands pledged two Alkmaar-class mine countermeasure vessels, and Turkey initiated the construction of an Ada-class corvette for Ukraine. In 2022, the US announced 23 Metal Shark military vessels for Ukraine as part of a $450 million assistance package.
