Stories appear occasionally in the international press of various countries engaged in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq about soldiers whose lives have been saved by the protective qualities of their combat body armour or ballistic helmet. It is these two, long established, items that receive the lion’s share of funding and attention as far as individual soldier protection is concerned.

Read more in armada International's issue 6/2009

2008 and 2009 have witnessed the introduction of the first few true kits that enable even the lowest ranked soldiers to be 'with it' on the battlefield. These existing ensembles are poised to sharply evolve in the coming years (not to say months), but more interestingly, new kit programmes are being set up by various other nations, often borrowing elements from existing suites. A new, fascinating facet of defence is unravelling here.

Read more in armada International's Compendium 2/2010

Individual protection has become an integral part of today’s soldier equipment, although it is far from being optimised; heavy and cumbersome, body armour still needs to evolve in terms of material and shapes. While helmets have recently been considerably improved, further facial protection is required due to the proliferation of roadside bombs. Moreover, in order to reduce wounds to exposed personnel, some extremity protection is also being developed.

Read more in armada International's issue 6/2009