While body armor manufacturers are known for their ballistic vests, a growing sector of defense companies is developing innovative protective clothing that goes beyond stopping bullets. These companies focus on safeguarding military personnel and security forces from a wider range of threats, such as shrapnel from explosions, knife cuts, and environmental hazards. Specializing in advanced materials and cutting-edge designs, they offer solutions like multispectral camouflage systems, anti-cut fabrics, blast-resistant gear, and other products that bring to mind action movies.
Exploring BCB International
“We do mainly survival equipment,” explains Pete Botham from BCB International, highlighting their cutting-edge multispectral camouflage that provides concealment across visual, thermal, and infrared spectrums. This isn’t your typical body armor – BCB’s gear includes personal items like a multispectral cloak with a weapon concealment flap and larger camouflage nets for vehicles.
BCB International is a top provider of survival gear, specializing in advanced multispectral camouflage. Their products are designed to protect both soldiers and larger military assets. A key innovation is their multispectral cloak, developed with UK Special Forces, which offers concealment across visual, thermal, and infrared spectrums. It’s equipped with practical features like a weapon concealment flap and easy-to-use front poppers. Beyond individual gear, BCB also creates larger camouflage nets and fabrics that can cover vehicles and military systems, providing added protection in various environments.
BCB also focuses on life-saving solutions like blast boxers, soft armor designed to protect troops from deadly high leg wounds in places like Afghanistan. “If someone stood on a mine or an IED, it would protect their femoral artery. Before the blast boxers, if they were getting wounds too high up the leg, you couldn’t fix a tourniquet on it and couldn’t stop the bleeding,” Botham explains, emphasizing how their gear is made with real battlefield needs in mind. Apart from the wars in the middle east, with the escalation of war in Ukraine, the company notices the higher demand for their products in Europe.
”The Ukrainians are fighting in trenches and they’ve got no freedom of movement. They can’t leave the trench because they’re just getting spotted straight away. But when they’re using our systems, they’ve got freedom of movement.’’
Beyond camouflage, BCB supplies field furniture, first aid kits, and even mine-clearing kits, constantly adapting to new threats and pushing their technology into new markets. “Since the war in Ukraine… the multispectral stuff is so important,” Pete notes, explaining how their systems give soldiers more opportunity to move without being spotted by drones.
UYN
UYN is a young Italian company focused on creating high-performance clothing that recently introduced their latest innovation—flame-resistant underwear designed with protection in mind. Besides its flame resistant properties, this clothing is built to provide crucial protection against the dangers of exploding shrapnel in high-risk environments like battlefields.
”In the event that a fragment falls on our hand, shirt, or pants, it does not cause the flame to escalate; instead, the fire is suppressed and extinguished,’’ explains Robert Psiuk, the brand manager.
Composition is the key – crafted from a combination of synthetic and natural fibers, including phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur, and kapok wool, the material suppresses flames and helps prevent burns from fragments landing on the skin or clothing. The advanced fibers quickly stop fire from spreading, offering critical protection in situations like explosions where both heat and shrapnel are a threat. Alongside its protective features, the underwear ensures thermal comfort and moisture control, using eucalyptus-derived materials for fast drying and natural Natex, which is lighter and anti-odor. With reinforced shoulders for carrying gear and breathable areas for added comfort, UYN’s flame-resistant underwear is designed to protect against both fire and shrapnel, offering vital safety in extreme conditions.
The Future of Protective Clothing
Both BCB International and UYN made a strong presence at the 2024 International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, showcasing their commitment to expanding into new markets. With the war in Ukraine bringing increased demand for advanced protective gear, their products have never been more relevant.
As technology continues to evolve, the future of protective clothing looks brighter, offering enhanced survivability and comfort for those on the front lines. While traditional body armor is crucial for protecting against bullets, companies like BCB International and UYN are pushing the boundaries of protective gear by addressing a broader range of battlefield threats. As Pete Botham from BCB puts it, “It’s about survivability and saving lives.”
