The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has provided detailed explanations about what an armored blanket is and why service members need it.
This was reported on the MoD website.
As a reminder, following joint work by the Ministry of Defense and the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — in particular, the Central Directorate for Material Support Development — a new type of individual protection equipment was developed: the universal field tarp.
Recently, the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) of the Ministry of Defense announced for the first time the purchase of armored blankets. They provide ballistic protection against fragments and can be used both individually and collectively. This allows them to be adapted to various tactical conditions and different methods of use as intended on the line of contact.
“This is the first technological solution created in Ukraine for the needs of individual and group protection of service members, which meets modern combat requirements and increases the level of personnel protection”, — the MoD noted.
What an Armored Blanket is
An armored blanket is a dense tarp and is a full-fledged means of protection. It is designed to protect against fragments from shells, mines, or hand grenades. Its components are capable of stopping a damaging element and dispersing its energy.
The base consists of a soft ballistic panel made of multilayer elastic material enclosed in a waterproof protective cover.
The soft ballistic panel provides fragmentation resistance class F5 with a Vproof confirmation criterion at 550 m/s, with a 95% confidence level and an error probability of 0.2.
The product retains its protective properties under humidity conditions between 40% and 70%, and temperatures ranging from −40°C to +70°C for at least six hours. Each armored blanket will be marked with a QR code providing access to text instructions for use.
Dimensions of Armored Blankets
- Length — between 1600 mm and 1750 mm
- Width — between 700 mm and 800 mm
- Area of the soft ballistic panel — at least 126.5 dm²
- Weight — no more than 11 kg
Thanks to special shoulder straps and the ability to fold it into 3–4 layers, the product is easy to carry and deploy in the required configuration.
What the set includes
Overall, armored blankets will be supplied with the following components:
- cover;
- soft ballistic panel;
- individual carrying bag;
- product passport/documentation;
- spare parts for minor repairs.
How Armored Blankets can be used
An armored blanket is a versatile tool capable of covering various tactical needs. It can be used as protection:
- during movement in open terrain;
- for covering dugouts and positions;
- when armored elements are not available in vehicles;
- during casualty evacuation.
How many Armored Blankets will be purchased and when they will be delivered
The DPA of the Ministry of Defense will purchase the first 5,300 armored blankets worth over 132 million UAH. Delivery is expected by the end of February 2026. Additional procurements will be made next year according to the declared needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Modern warfare is changing, and the need for mobile protection systems is increasing. The Ministry of Defense developed the regulatory and technical documentation for the armored blanket as a new element of individual protection precisely to ensure that service members are equipped with modern protective equipment. This is another step toward improving personnel safety”, — the statement reads.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the armored blanket is a survival tool. Its ability to provide instant cover from shelling or protect a wounded soldier may be the decisive factor between injury and survival.
