First procurement of fragmentation protection suits for Ukrainian Armed Forces: 4,700 sets contracted, - Defence Ministry
Fragmentation protection suits are being procured centrally for Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel for the first time. The Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) has contracted 4,700 sets worth more than UAH 186 million.
The Defence Ministry reported this, Censor.NET reports.
Details
The technical specification was developed and approved in May 2026. The document sets requirements for the design, materials, components, protective properties, and quality of fragmentation protection suits.
"Our task at the Defence Ministry is to listen to the military’s needs and supply what our soldiers actually need. Before centralised procurement of this protection for the military began, the Ukrainian Armed Forces Logistics Forces Command developed and approved technical specifications," Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Mstyslav Banik said.
According to him, military research trials involved service personnel whose combat tasks require high mobility. As a result, a model approved by the soldiers was selected.
Fragmentation protection suit
A fragmentation protection suit weighs around 2 kg, depending on its size. Each set consists of three elements:
- a specially designed jacket;
- trousers;
- pteruges.
Pteruges are an additional protective element of the suit covering the pelvic area and upper thighs. They consist of an adjustable belt and seven protective sections with soft ballistic inserts: two at the front, four at the sides and one at the rear.
The protective sections can be adjusted to fit comfortably against the body. The rear section also has a special soft pad for greater comfort when sitting.
One of the key requirements for this equipment is to combine ballistic protection with freedom of movement. The soft ballistic inserts must meet established requirements for protection against fragments and bullets while remaining flexible enough to conform closely to the contours of the human body.
When fragmentation protection is needed
Fragmentation protection provides an additional layer of safety for military personnel. These suits can be used during combat and special missions, training, and in field conditions.
The suit can be worn with body armour to provide additional protection for areas of a soldier’s body.
Fragmentation protection suits will be particularly useful for assault troops, medics and other military personnel on the line of contact. They are suitable for all types of tasks involving a risk of injury from fragments from shells, UAVs and other sources.
The Defence Ministry notes that NATO countries do not have such protective suits. The first Ukrainian-developed prototype has therefore been provided to Western partners for review.
