Ballistic technology
Certified Protection Against Modern Threats. This reflects the evolving nature of modern conflict, where conventional protection standards are no longer sufficient.
Modern conflict environments increasingly involve tungsten-core and armor-piercing ammunition that exceeds traditional protection standards.
Protection Against Tungsten-Core Ammunition
Scandic Defence is currently the only known manufacturer with certified ballistic protection meeting the Ukrainian Level 6+ standard against tungsten core projectiles.
This level of protection has been developed to counter advanced kinetic threats where NIJ Level IV is no longer sufficient. Our systems are tested under conditions reflecting real battlefield threat profiles as well as approved certification from Notified Body according to DSTU 8782:2018 (Ukraine Level 6+)
Systems tested by Ukrainian military units under live-fire conditions.
”Since the first encounters of wolfram ammo in 2022, our units have encountered its increased use by the russian forces. The limited replacement of the regular IV level protection plates with VI level wolfram protection plates, in the last two years has tremendously helped to protect our personnel.”
- General VLNE Main Intelligence, UAMOD
Certified Protection Against Modern Threats
Scandic Defence is currently the only known manufacturer with certified ballistic protection meeting the Ukrainian Level 6+ standard against tungsten-core armor-piercing ammunition. This capability reflects the evolving nature of modern conflict, where conventional
Emerging Threat Environment: Tungsten-Core Armour-Piercing Ammunition
Modern tungsten-core armor-piercing threats are redefining the limits of conventional ballistic protection. Systems designed for legacy standards may no longer provide sufficient protection in today’s operational environments. Modern conflict environments are evolving rapidly, with increasing use of advanced armour-piercing ammunition incorporating hardened steel and tungsten cores. These projectiles are specifically designed to defeat conventional ballistic protection systems, including those compliant with widely used standards such as NIJ Level IV.
Limitations of Conventional Protection
NIJ Level IV body armour has historically been considered sufficient protection against armour-piercing threats. However, recent battlefield observations indicate that certain high-density penetrators — particularly tungsten-core projectiles — can exceed the protective capability of traditional ceramic plate systems under specific conditions. This development introduces a critical gap between legacy protection standards and current threat realities.
Operational Implications for NATO Forces
If unaddressed, this capability gap may have significant implications for military personnel operating in high-threat environments:
- Increased vulnerability to modern armor-piercing ammunition
- Reduced effectiveness of existing personal protective equipment
- Elevated risk in close-range and high-intensity engagements
As adversaries continue to deploy more advanced kinetic threats, reliance on legacy protection standards may no longer provide sufficient survivability.
The Shift in Protection Requirements
The emergence of tungsten-core threats reflects a broader shift in modern warfare:
- Higher projectile density and penetration capability
- Increased use of specialized armour-piercing ammunition
- Greater need for protection systems designed for current, not historical, threat profiles
This shift requires a reassessment of ballistic protection standards and equipment selection across military organisations.
The Shift in Protection Requirements
The future threat landscape will not be defined by legacy standards, but by the capabilities of modern ammunition.
Ensuring effective protection for personnel requires solutions that are specifically engineered and validated against these evolving threats.