Let’s Know What Body Armour Is

What Body Armour Is

Body armor, also known as body armour, personal armour, or a suit/coat of armor, is protective clothing designed to absorb or deflect physical attacks. It is worn by soldiers, law enforcement personnel, and others to protect against bullets, shrapnel, and other threats. Body armour can be made of a variety of materials, including ceramics, metals, and plastics, and can be designed to cover different parts of the body, such as the chest, torso, and head.

Moreover, there are different types of body armor, each designed to provide protection against specific types of threats. For example, bulletproof vests are designed to protect against bullets, while bomb suits are designed to protect against explosions. Body armor can also be classified according to its protection level. In the United States, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) sets standards for body armor and classifies it into five levels: I, II-A, II, III-A, III, and IV. The higher the level, the greater the protection.

It is noteworthy to cite that no body armor can provide complete protection against all types of attacks and that the level of protection offered by body armor may vary depending on the type and caliber of the weapon being used. Hence, first, you need to understand the level of threat, then the body armour should be used accordingly.

Plated body armor, also known as hard or plate armor, is made of rugged, rigid materials such as ceramic, metal, or composite materials. These materials are used to create plates that are inserted into a carrier vest or other type of body armor. The plates are designed to protect against high-velocity bullets and other types of ballistic threats. Plated body armor is typically heavier and bulkier than other types of body armor, but it offers the highest level of protection.

Non-plated body armor, also known as soft armor or flexible armor, is made of flexible materials such as Kevlar, Spectra, or other synthetic fibers. These materials are woven into a fabric that is then used to create a vest or other type of body armor. Non-plated body armor is typically lighter and more comfortable to wear than plated armor, but it offers less protection against high-velocity bullets and other ballistic threats. Non-plated body armor is typically used to protect against lower-velocity threats such as those from handguns or knives.

Moreover, we should also consider the point that both plated and non-plated body armor have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Concealable and Overt Body Armor

Concealable body armor, also known as covert armor, is designed to be worn under clothing and is intended to be discreet or hidden from view. This type of body armour is typically lightweight and flexible and is worn by law enforcement officers, private security personnel, and others who need to remain low-profile while on duty. Concealable body armour is available in both plated and non-plated versions and is typically worn over the torso to protect the chest, back, and sides.

Overt body armor, also known as tactical armor or external armor, is designed to be worn over clothing and is intended to be visible. This type of body armour is typically heavier and bulkier than concealable armor and is worn by military personnel, law enforcement officers, and others who may be operating in high-risk environments. Overt body armour is usually plated and is worn over the torso to protect the chest, back, and sides. It may also include additional protection for the neck, arms, and legs.

About Protection Level and NIJ Standard, You Must Know

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the US Department of Justice. The NIJ sets standards for body armour and other personal protective equipment used by law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals. The NIJ standard for body armour is used as a benchmark for evaluating the performance of body armour in the United States and around the world.

Level 1 to Level IIIA body armour is typically made of soft, flexible materials such as Kevlar or Spectra. Level III to Level IV body armour is typically made of hard, rigid materials such as ceramic, metal, or composite materials.

The NIJ standard for body armour includes five levels of protection:

  1. Level I: This is the lowest level of protection and is designed to protect against low-velocity .22 caliber and .380 caliber bullets.
  2. Level II-A: This is a moderate level of protection and is designed to protect against 9mm and .40 S&W caliber bullets.
  3. Level II: This is a moderate-high level of protection and is designed to protect against higher-velocity .357 caliber and 9mm bullets.
  4. Level III-A: This is a high level of protection and is designed to protect against high-velocity .44 caliber and 9mm bullets.
  5. Level III: This is the most used level of protection and is designed to protect against high-velocity 7.62 x 51 mm bullets.
  6. Level IV: This is the only standard by the NIJ Standards that is generally accepted by the U.S. Government whose body armour is dedicatedly accepted to be worn by correction officers and law enforcement personnel. In addition, it is the highest-rated standard today, which can protect against a 30.06 bullet travelling at a speed of 2880 ft/s.

It is important to note that the NIJ standard does not certify body armour products but rather provides a set of performance standards that manufacturers can use to evaluate their products. Body armour that meets the NIJ standard has been tested and shown to be effective in protecting against the specific threats for which it is designed.

Quality of Body Armour Indian Armour Offers to Users

Indian Armour offers world-class armed forces with tactical gadgets and body armour after confirming the quality with the utmost safety parameters under strict circumstances. Indian Armour uses several types of materials, such as ceramic, kevlar, steel, polyethylene, etc., to manufacture Body Armour and other kinds of quality defense clothing.

It is important for users to carefully research and evaluate the quality of any body armour before purchasing it. Some factors to consider when evaluating the quality of body armour include the materials used, the level of protection provided, the testing that has been done to evaluate the effectiveness of the body armour, and the reputation of the manufacturer. Users should also consider their own specific needs and requirements, such as the type of threats they may encounter and the level of protection they need.

Copyright © 2025. Indian Armour Systems | FAQs | Privacy Policy | Certifications | Bespoke-Solutions | Size Guide