A bulletproof vest is one of the most important elements of military equipment, which must reliably protect the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield. That is why the requirements for it are extremely high. After all, the health and life of military personnel depend on its quality. How much should a modern bulletproof vest of the Armed Forces of Ukraine weigh, and what can military personnel expect in practice?
A lot depends on the weight of a modern bulletproof vest. The most important thing is the level of comfort and mobility of the soldier while wearing it. The latest bulletproof vests are designed to provide protection against a variety of weapons: from light weapons such as pistols to powerful rifles. The weight of such bulletproof vests depends on the class of protection offered, as well as the quality and type of materials used in production.
Design of Ukrainian Army body armor
The design of bulletproof vests today is quite simple, and it consists of the following basic elements:
A cover, also called a plate carrier. It has pockets for installing armor plates. They are located in the front, back, and sides. The plate carrier has straps, buttons, and special Velcro for adjusting the size.
Armor plates. This is the main protective part of the bulletproof vest. They can be made of various materials. For example, from ceramics, steel, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, aramid fibers, titanium, etc. It is also the heaviest part of the entire bulletproof vest.
Damper. This is a lining for the vest, which is located inside. It is necessary to absorb the kinetic energy of impacts, improve air exchange and increase wearing comfort.
Body armor by protection class
This element of military equipment in Ukraine is classified into six main protection classes. Each of them has its own features and characteristics. And this is what determines their functionality and scope of application:
Level 1. These are lightweight bulletproof vests weighing up to 2.5 kilograms and can contain 5-10 layers of protective material. Such products can stop small-caliber bullets. They are usually worn by police officers.
Second level. These are vests that have an average weight of 3-5 kilograms. They are equipped with soft armor plates that can protect a person from 9 mm bullets. They are usually worn by law enforcement officers and journalists working in combat zones.
Third level. Products of this level weigh 6-9 kilograms. Soft armor plates in this case are combined with fabric pads. And this can protect the soldier from light small arms.
Level Four. A level four body armor weighs up to 10 kilograms. It is capable of protecting a person from 5.45 and 7.62 mm bullets, as well as from a pistol.
Fifth level of protection. These are quite heavy armored vests, weighing 11-20 kilograms. They are equipped with hard plates. And this is reliable protection against automatic weapons and armor-piercing cartridges.
Level Six. This is the heaviest body armor with the highest level of protection. It can protect against sniper rifles with a speed of up to 800 meters per second. The weight of such a product is more than 20 kilograms.
What exactly affects the weight of a bulletproof vest?
Several factors affect the weight of a body armor:
Materials used. They are the main factor that affects how much an armored vest weighs. The material from which the cover itself is made, as well as the armor plates, is taken into account separately. For example, armor plates made of steel will weigh significantly more than those made of ceramic or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The latter options are no less durable, but much lighter.
Thickness and construction. The weight is affected by the overall construction of the body armor and the thickness of the materials used. The thicker the material, the heavier it is, but it is able to provide a greater level of protection. If, for example, the construction consists of several layers or additional elements, this can also affect the overall weight.
Protection level. The higher the protection level, the heavier the body armor, as more material is used.
Size and type of body armor. There are body armor that only cover the chest and back, and there are models that protect most of the body. Accordingly, the latter will also affect weight.
Body armor weight: then and now
If you compare a bulletproof vest from a few decades ago and now, the difference will be enormous. Of course, the weight of bulletproof vests changes throughout their existence, as technologies change and new engineering solutions appear.
The very first body armor was very heavy and uncomfortable. Their construction consisted mainly of steel plates, and other bulky elements were additionally used. All this led to inconvenience during training and directly during combat operations.
In the second half of the twentieth century, new materials began to be used: kellar, ballistic plates made of ceramics and polyethylene. Since then, the developers of bulletproof vests began to create models with less weight, while guaranteeing reliable protection.
In recent decades, attention has been focused on the development of advanced technologies that have contributed to further weight reduction. For example, materials such as graphene, composite structures, etc. have been used. All this allows us to create high-quality body armor with a high level of protection and minimal weight today.
In addition, today attention is also paid to ergonomics. Everything is done to provide the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with comfort when wearing, especially for a long time. Modern bulletproof vests, thanks to these changes, provide a high level of protection with significantly less weight. The development of technologies allows soldiers to perform their tasks more effectively without unnecessary restrictions on movement and with comfort.
How to choose a bulletproof vest
The bulletproof vest is intended to protect Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers from bullets from pistols, machine guns, and other weapons. It is also intended to protect against various fragments during explosions.
Choosing a bulletproof vest should start with answering the following questions:
What weapons should a bulletproof vest protect against?
In what conditions will it be used? For training or combat operations?
What is the nature of combat work?
How long will you approximately wear the body armor?
Also important is:
Type of wear: The body armor can be concealed or external.
Protection area: the effective area varies from 18 to 42 square decimeters.
Usage time: The body armor can be worn effectively for 1 to 12 hours.
You need to choose a body armor that matches the size of the soldier. It should be comfortable. Too large a size will contribute to slipping, and too small can cause injury.
If, in addition to the body armor, there is a need to purchase additional protection (shoulder pads, neck protection, groin protection, etc.), then it is important to make sure that these parts fit it.
Body armor care
After intensive use of the bulletproof vest, it should be cleaned minimally. Various dirt, such as sand, dust, and moisture, negatively affect the fabrics and seams.
The soft body armor can be washed, but only with gentle detergents. It should not be immersed in too hot water and dried. The hard elements can be wiped with a soft cloth without excessive friction.
Let's summarize
The weight of a modern bulletproof vest of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can vary significantly depending on many factors and protection class.
Based on all this, each serviceman independently decides what class of protection he needs and is suitable in terms of weight. Since in today's realities, body armor is used mainly on the front, the protection class should be at least the third! This also includes armor plates , or rather, the material from which they are made. Most choose steel or ceramic. But this also depends on the nature of combat work.
Sometimes it is quite difficult to find the ideal option that would successfully combine a high class of protection, comfort when wearing and maximum area of protection. But there are such, and they can be found only in reliable stores that offer military equipment. However, you need to understand the materials, design and other important details. It is also worth analyzing your own needs and circumstances of use in detail. In addition, you need to take into account the requirements for mobility and comfort, and this is also influenced by the structure of the body, health characteristics, and physical training. This is necessary in order to choose a bulletproof vest that will not restrict your movements and will be as comfortable as possible in practice for a fairly long time. All this will help to make the right decision.
