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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russia Now Surpasses Everyone in Infantry Body Armor and Firearms
2014-04-22
"If the Russians are coming across mechanized, with airborne and infantry units wearing their body armor, it basically means the Ukrainian rifles have no ability to penetrate the body armor worn by the Russian troops, meaning you're talking about having to shoot somebody six, seven, eight times, in the chest," Mr. Traudt said. "They're going to get bumped, but there's no lethality involved."

Elite Russian troops are displaying a new arsenal of body armor, individual weapons, armor-piercing ammunition and collar radios -- a menu of essential gear that gives them a big tactical advantage against a lesser-equipped Ukrainian army.

The Russians, in their new 6B43 model body armor, issued chest and back plates made of titanium and hard carbide boron ceramics.

"The stuff they have is impervious to 5.56, whereas our body armor is not completely proven against their weapons," Gen. Scales said.

Gen. Scales said the Russians carry AK-74s whose magazine is loaded with 5.45 "steel core" ammunition -- a round that on April 8 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives banned from importation because the agency deemed it armor-piercing.

Gen. Scales described the 5.45 as "extremely lethal against any kind of body armor."
Posted by:Bubba Graiting8281

#15  Whatever. Russian equipment is not terrible. Not the best, but better than nothing.

If you contemplate opposing the Russias, then expect a fight.

That is the nature of things.
Posted by: rammer   2014-04-22 23:12  

#14  I believe all of the body armor can be penetrated by the small caliber SLAP projectiles. I saw a write up on the modern SLAP. The 30-06 was able to penetrate 2 inches of armor plate. The 5.56 was able to make it through 1 inch.
Posted by: Chuckles Thaitch7040   2014-04-22 18:02  

#13  Regarding gear - with the possible exception of German field rations, US made weapons and gear are the best in the world, hands down.
Posted by: Besoeker   2014-04-22 15:19  

#12  One other note: the article says "Elite" Russian units. This means spec ops. Not line troops. Same goes with the US - Spec Ops have access to the cutting edge stuff that are never practical/affordable for line troops. Go check the examples shown in the Crimea. Same old russian gear on the line troops. So don't compare their Spec Ops to our line or vice versa. Apples to Apples, folks.
Posted by: OldSpook   2014-04-22 15:03  

#11  But more importantly, I'd rather carry a 7.62NATO than a 5.56. Nobody has anything that stops that and still remains mobile enough for tactical use.
Posted by: OldSpook   2014-04-22 15:00  

#10  American. Battle tested against the large caliber stuff and explosives the Iraqi and Afghanis use, and allows for proper tactical mobility. Nothing drives military innovation quite so well as sustained combat.
Posted by: OldSpook   2014-04-22 14:58  

#9  Given a choice in combat, would you rather be wearing American or Russian armor?
Posted by: gorb   2014-04-22 12:32  

#8  I wonder how it holds up to the old-fashioned .30-'06 bullet? Or .303 Enfield? Even if they don't penetrate, I would think just the 'thump' would slow one down a lot. And there are still quite a few rifles out there that shoot that stuff.
Posted by: Glenmore   2014-04-22 11:37  

#7  ...err...combat...

hate tapping this little tablet, grrrr..
Posted by: P2Kontheroad   2014-04-22 08:06  

#6  Good body armor is a easy procurement. Well trained soldiers in comat first aid, efficient and quick evac to very skilled med personnel, not a easy buy. One without the other means in some cases, you just bleed out slower.
Posted by: P2Kontheroad   2014-04-22 08:04  

#5  JFM:

My number three is primarily from the internets, books, and from watching the teevee. Appreciate your updates.
Posted by: Besoeker   2014-04-22 07:42  

#4  Besoeker

IBA is not imprevipous to tac nukes but the problem is few :-) infantrymen carry tac nukes. Ditto for Ma Deuce or RPGs. Also if the enemy can shoot at any part of your body while you are restricted to about one third of his the end result is you lose. As simple as that.

Finally if my memory is any good firing at med evac vehicles and sites could land you in front of a firing squad or with a rope around your neck depending if you are field executed by the enemy as a war criminal (yes, a captain or above may sentence you to death for violating Generva Conventions and it is perfectly leagl) or if your own side sends you in front of court martial.
Posted by: JFM   2014-04-22 05:42  

#3  Individual Body Armor [IBA] is a good piece of kit, but it is not seamless and like everything else, it has downsides.

IBA has non-plated areas which can be defeated by a well trained marksman or golden BB. Obviously, a head shot is nearly always fatal. A non-lethal neck, shoulder, army, hand, groin, leg, or foot wound is worse. Non-lethal wounds not only take the casualty out of action, but those evacuating him as well. Medical evacuation vehicles and evac sites can become high-value targets.

IBA is bulky, heavy, and decreases mobility difficult. It is hot in the summer and dramatically increases target size, especially when wearing cold weather clothing and equipment.

IBA does not like DshK 12.7mm [see Romanian ISAF AFG partner happy-snap] or M2 Browning .50 caliber rounds at any range. IBA particularly dislikes IED's, RPG's, ground emplaced mines, mortar, and arty fire.

Posted by: Besoeker   2014-04-22 04:17  

#2  The new age of chivalry downing?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2014-04-22 02:15  

#1  Time to move off of 'center-of-mass' targeting.
Posted by: Skidmark   2014-04-22 00:58  

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