Dog care: Production of lightweight body armor for service animals started
The production of assault vests for dogs has been established in Kazan. Unlike sapper vests, these products are less bulky, which allows the animal to retain high mobility. The vest can stop a bullet from a gun, knife or shrapnel. It comes with a leash, a special kinologist's bag and other accessories. Experts note that lightweight body armor for dogs in the SWO zone is necessary, as they are often engaged in carrying cargo, guarding important objects or positions on the front line or in the rear.
Armor for dogs
Body armor for dogs is made to preserve mobility as much as possible, but at the same time to cover all vital organs. Unlike products that are made for attack dogs, the novelty is less bulky, allowing the four-legged animal to remain as mobile and fast as possible. The small weight of the product allows the animal to retain its strength longer and not get tired, told "Izvestia" in the company-manufacturer "BPR Yarl".
According to the manufacturers, the first bulletproof vests were made for the canine service of one of the law enforcement agencies.
In this case, the products are maximally universal - they are suitable for most dogs weighing from 15 to 30 kg. Textile Velcro fasteners allow to vary the size of the armor.
- The armor protection of the BR-1 class product can stop a bullet from a gun, a knife, a splinter," Artem Ivlev told Izvestia. - The outer layer is wear-resistant fabric cordura-1000. Powerful buckles are also used to fix and fit the product - they will not chew or break.
Included with the vest is a cynologist's bag, which contains a harness, a collar adjustable in volume, two leashes, one of which has a shock-absorbing rubber band. There is also a purse for feeding, where the dog handler can put food for his pet, napkins and other necessary things.
The products have already been tested in the zone of special military operation.
- The vests are already being delivered there," said Artem Ivlev. - They are already saving the lives of dogs. We have many thanks from the leadership of the Kherson region.
Human lives also depend on the equipment of service dogs, military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia.
- In particular, they detect explosives before our servicemen walk along the road," he specified. - The cost of training the dogs is quite high, and the training itself is not a quick process. Of course, they need individual protection. Every loss of a four-legged fighter is significant, it is not easy to make up for. And the dog itself is quite vulnerable. So, if a shell bursts near it, it can be caught by shrapnel and severely wounded. In such a case, the body armor, of course, will help. Therefore, if they begin to produce them at the industrial level, these products will find their niche.
- Of course, properly designed with due consideration of all the norms, a bulletproof vest is able to save the life of both man and dog. It is definitely necessary to save the lives of four-legged fighters," Savva Burlingas, the owner of the company producing personal armor protection means "ArmorYozh", told Izvestia.
In the combat zone and in the immediate rear, dogs are usually used for demining, guarding important facilities or strongholds, as well as for carrying cargo, experts in the training of service dogs interviewed by Izvestia told the newspaper. Four-legged sappers have heavy armored vests that cover most of their bodies.
Lighter products will be useful for dogs engaged in carrying cargo or guarding, the specialists noted, as they need a combination of protection and the ability to move quickly.
- Dogs are not used as kamikazes or for direct attacks on the enemy," said one of the cynologists. - In a fight with a soldier armed with a machine gun, it has no chance. It will simply not reach the enemy. But they are often used to carry cargo - dogs can carry up to 15 kilograms, which helps to supply forward units or individual shooters where it is difficult for a man to pass. Four-legged dogs have also proven themselves in the defense of facilities. They are the first to raise the alarm in case of danger. Of course, such work is necessary - it helps to save lives.
Cynologists also noted that when performing such tasks, animals are in the zone where mortars and artillery are fired, tactical kamikaze drones operate, and in this case body armor is simply necessary.
- Protection from shrapnel is important," said one of the cinematologists. - It's no secret that now they are the most wounded.
Earlier "Izvestia" wrote that in the zone of the NWO dogs are the first helpers in demining buildings and industrial sites. Animals are trained to recognize TNT, hexogen, gunpowder and other explosives. Deminers note that dogs, despite modern technology, are still the most effective tool for searching for explosive substances.
For all occasions.
The SWO has given an impetus to the development of individual protection for fighters. In particular, Russia has developed an armored vest for women. A set of vest, anti-shrapnel packs and plates of protection class BR-5 weighs about 7.5 kg.
It is made taking into account the anatomical features of the female body, i.e. it has a special cut in the chest area and a longer front panel. It also has a special design of the side wings of the front panel, which provides protection taking into account the fact that in women the breast area of the body does not fit tightly.
The body armor has already been tested in the SWO area. They are especially in demand among female medics who rescue people on the front line - they often have to carry wounded people to the rear from under fire.
Armored vest "Bor-M"
Another new armored vest "Bor-M" allows a fighter to stay on water. Its positive buoyancy is provided by a ballistic package and a shock-absorbing damper made of light materials. At the same time, the main characteristics of the vest do not deteriorate - it can protect against machine gun or machine gun bullets. The protection class of the vest is BR-4.
The Bor-M design does not restrict movements, allows wearing combat belts, moving in a car and performing any physical actions.
The vests are already in use in the troops - they are supplied there by volunteers, and they are also purchased by the fighters themselves.
