NATO-standard tactical headphones: DPA has contracted for 40,000 units for Ukrainian Armed Forces. PHOTO
The Defence Procurement Agency (DOT) has fully contracted the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s requirement for tactical headsets for 2026 – 40,000 units.
This was reported by the Ministry of Defence’s press office, according to Censor.NET.
A separate contract has already been awarded for 700 headsets for the State Special Transport Service, and there are plans to purchase a further 500 units. Shipments are ongoing.
The main purpose of headphones for military personnel on the battlefield
The procurement of tactical headphones in accordance with NATO standards was first announced last year. At the same time, the relevant technical specification was drawn up, setting out stricter requirements for hearing protection, functionality and reliability of the products.
Tactical headphones are a piece of equipment on which a soldier’s safety during operations directly depends. This is not simply a matter of hearing protection, but of the ability to operate effectively in combat conditions. It is therefore important that such equipment is of high quality and reliable, said Artem Romanyukov, Acting Director of the Defence Procurement Agency DOT.
The main purpose of these headphones is to protect service personnel’s hearing from dangerous noise levels caused by gunfire and explosions, whilst still allowing them to hear commands, signals and ambient sounds.
NATO standards for tactical headphones
The technical specification stipulated for the first time a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of at least 28 dB.
The headphones must also comply with international military standards:
- MIL-STD-810H – specifies tests to assess resistance to harsh operating conditions, including temperature fluctuations, humidity, vibrations and mechanical stresses;
- MIL-STD-461G – sets out requirements for electromagnetic compatibility to ensure that electronic equipment does not cause unacceptable interference to other devices and is capable of operating in the presence of electromagnetic disturbances.
The headphones are designed for use at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to +50 °C, and the materials used in their construction are flame-retardant. Furthermore, they are designed to be used in conjunction with combat ballistic helmets, allowing them to be worn alongside other items of protective equipment.
Easy operation and battery saving in the field
For ease of use, the device features on/off buttons, a volume control, and a battery-saving function.
Consequently, the requirements for active tactical headphones take into account not only the necessary level of hearing protection, but also the conditions under which they are used on a daily basis by military personnel – from operating in environments with high noise levels to moving around and carrying out tasks in challenging weather conditions.
