“They need a lot of ballistic protection, and they need it quick,” says Josef Hájek, sales manager at Argun, a leading manufacturer of ballistic protection in the Czech Republic, about the ongoing war in Ukraine. BodyArmorNews.com interviewed many industry experts such as Integris Composites, BC Arms, or Silver Oak Leaf who experienced similar rapidly changing needs. In the case of Argun, the conflict has transformed not only how the company approaches product development but also its understanding of modern conflict. Today, improving ballistic protection is essential for military and law enforcement personnel facing unpredictable threats.
To face these challenges, Argun has adjusted its production and design strategies, crafting innovative side plates tailored to current tactical requirements. These plates, which are part of a project with NATO’s NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency), come in a smaller size format of 150 by 150 millimeters, and meet rigorous ballistic standards, including the NIJ 0101.06 certification. Argun recently certified their Level 4 plates (NIJ 0101.06) and 3A soft armor in multiple sizes. Previously, Argun provided larger plates of 150 by 200 millimeters for the Czech Army, but recent demand for more compact side protection required some changes in the company’s offer. These smaller side plates can be worn in pouches attached to the vest’s cummerbund, providing coverage to the wearer’s flanks without adding too much of an extra weight.
There is a key trend in modern warfare since the war in Ukraine: the necessity for full-spectrum protection on all sides. “The more armor, the better,” Hájek emphasizes, noting that in recent years, the U.S. military and other forces have shifted from using only front and rear hard plates and soft armor to adopting hard ballistic side plates as well. Previously, soft armor was the standard for side protection, but as threats have grown, so has the need for enhanced side armor. Larger and durable side plates are now essential, especially in high-risk zones like Ukraine.
Side plates, once considered supplementary, are now seen as integral to a fully protected armor setup. “The bigger the protected area is, the better these days because of the current conflicts,” Hájek explains, noticing the shift in the industry’s priorities. These side plates provide coverage to vulnerable areas that traditional front and back plates cannot reach, safeguarding vital organs against lateral threats.
Argun’s side plates, designed to fit in pouches attached to the vest’s cummerbund, provide high-caliber protection with a compact design that maintains the mobility crucial for soldiers and tactical operators. While there are some manufacturers offering similar solutions, there is still a “gap” in the market, with few companies fully dedicated to this highly specialized area of ballistic protection.
Different Sides of Protection
Besides ballistic side plates, Argun develops another project that they plan to patent.
“One of our Innovations here is Cam band which is reinforced with thermoplastic. […] This thing helps to keep the camera bound on the body when it has heavy pouches on it, so it offers the best support that is currently possible. Fastening is done with Cobra buckles which makes it really easy to open and close. We put the Cobra Buckles in four places so on both sides and on both shoulders.”
This innovation is just one example of many that have emerged as a result of a new type of warfare—one that has caught many manufacturers and industry experts by surprise. The devastating events unfolding in Ukraine have not only driven new developments in tactical gear but also opened eyes to challenges and needs that were previously unanticipated.
