Defensive steel
Secure steel produced by Salzgitter subsidiary Ilsenburger Grobblech has been approved by the German Armed Forces for use in the military sector – in vehicles or protective systems, for example.
KHS Group parent Salzgitter AG realized early on that security and steel are inextricably linked to one another. The foundations for the production of high-performance steel have thus now been laid at Group subsidiary Ilsenburger Grobblech under the brand name of “Salzgitter Defence”. This safeguards both people and infrastructure, for example through its use in armored vehicles, secure transport systems or structural protection systems. In making this appropriate addition to its portfolio, Salzgitter AG is reacting to the growing demand in the security and defense sector.
In the course of 2025, following over two years of testing by the German Armed Forces, protective SECURE 500® steel in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 25 millimeters and SECURE 450® 6 to 20 millimeters thick have now been approved for use by the same. This means that the company can now supply over 50% of the material required for many military vehicles directly from Ilsenburg, using grades of steel that to date mostly had to be imported.
“We see it as our responsibility to help support the defensive capacities of our society by producing secure, armored steel.”
Head of Group Communications, Salzgitter AG
High-strength steel
During the intensive approval process, the steel’s behavior under fire and explosion and its welding properties were subjected to particular scrutiny. Certification now confirms the high quality and reliability of these steel grades and underlines Salzgitter AG’s expertise as a partner for sophisticated defense applications. For the steel to provide protection against ballistic threats, it must have a high degree of hardness. The greater the hardness, the better the level of ballistic resistance. Extremely hard steels with an outstanding surface quality and dimensional accuracy can be manufactured in Ilsenburg at its cutting-edge heat treatment plant.
During the approval process, the steel’s behavior under fire and explosion and its welding properties were subjected to particular scrutiny.
Supporting capacity for defense
“Europe needs a resilient defense industry – and this requires high-quality steel from domestic production,” emphasizes Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG. “Without steel made regionally or nationally, there’s no security. A strong domestic raw materials sector is essential for genuine defensive resistance.”
“As a steel and technology group, we see it as our responsibility to help support the defensive capacities of our society by producing secure, armored steel,” adds Thorsten Möllmann, head of Group Communications.
