Should SAF issue bullet-proof vests?

last SG · 2006-02-26T23:04:42+00:00

For faster response, you could see which Mod is more available..i.e me or Gord.

oxford mushroom SG

I have always been wondering why doesn’t the SAF issue bullet-proof vests. If they have no money, I would want to buy one myself. It may be too late to stock up in times of war.

zoik SG

You can always buy overseas when you need it

Most forces wouldnt issue them until they know they are going to a zone that would require it.
Since SAF isnt really going anywhere, I imagine many would deem it a waste of money to issue it to them right now.

oxford mushroom SG

It is illegal in Singapore unless issued by the authorities

the Bear SG

most of the dudes wearing it would probably die from heatstroke first Laughing

zoik SG

thats what i thought, so thats why i said 'when you need it' - ie. perhaps on/prior to - a future foreign deployment..
Many other forces do it this way - strictly issue kit at all normal times only, and then when overseas on deployments, buy extra or optional or personal preference kit and only wear when on operations.
Most people agree that should the individual deem it necessary to buy kit that makes his or her job easier and more efficient, so be it - just dont expect to wear it at any time other than on that deployment.

nightzip SG

i think bp vests still quite x now, maybe in 5-10 years, when the technology more mature, it could cost slightly less than US100 to buy one, than they can equip the SAF Infantry troops.

I mean, infantry is like mass-people, they most prob. equip them to GDS first.

Maybe a shield for every soldier like the ones for the MPs will do. Laughing Then it becomes like ancient roman soldiers. Sergeant "Men! Have everyone brought their shields????!"

Manager433 SG

I have seen a officer holding the rank of MAJOR throw his bullet proof vest on the ground once he told them off and its damn heavy! And that was in 1994 ROC!

Shocked

Anyway, how heavy can it be??? 6kg?8kg?

tlwa SG

my unit got issue 1 to me.. trust me you wouldn’t want to wear the flag jack.. it is at least 5kg.. wear it once during ex. half the company kena heat rash due to wearing it for long hours

chunyong SG

yes, u cannot personally own ballistic vests

chunyong SG

wait til u wear police one…wear liao squat also cannot, bend down oso gankor…

nightzip SG

machiam tie jia jing gang??? Laughing

Gordonator SG

and might i ask what vocation are u of? Laughing

wuming78 SG

heat rash?

btw wich unit r u frm?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Studies have been done on bullet-proof vests and show that they aren't really bullet-proof. Many are still injured seriously due to the impact of the bullets. Unless the person hit you from a faraway place, the bullet-proof vests don't really help.

On the other hand, it is better to wear one because bullets shot faraway still can hurt you, and bullet-proof vests can prevent that.

But one wonder the practical side towards those vests. I don't think in wars the bullet-proof vests can prevent you from blowing up into pieces if a grenade blows up right in front of you. And machine guns as well as rifles are used as well. Nobody would use a gun for practical reason, because the range isn't as far.

My 2 cents.

chunyong SG

dats the old single 'plate' version...now got newer version one...i go back to resume my 6 weeks i will wear try tyr...haha

MobyDog SG

Yes, Bulletproof vest are infact bullet resistence, but they do stop most ballistic round up to 7.62 standard round... with a level III rating.

But the current US army vest can only stop one Round or one hit, then it is useless. Because the ceramic plates would fracture and dissipate the force. Any laters hit would penetrate Kevla or not. And you can drop it at waist level, it will be destroyed.

The best Vest seemed to be the DRAGON SKIN, like the ancient chinese armour used. it is also flexiable and dissipate force and can take multiple hits (repairable), but heavy.

Actually it's not heavier, it just that it protect more area.

In my opinion, Singapore should provide more body armour to the soldier. I think it's the maintainants and hot environment that the Gahment hesitate. But the Dragon Skin is an OK investment. I mean it's more durable.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Moby, like you said, they are heavy. Speed will be hindered in the process. In a war (if it happens), and you are running with that, soldiers will be tired and would need more time to recover from tiredness. Too much tradeoff for this?

MobyDog SG

Yes, but the alternative might be fatal.

Look at the following link for ballsitic testing pics and tell me you would want some protection ....

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot16.htm

There you have it folks... it show the degree of damage from pistol to rifles with body armour..... without them.. well ... let just say... you're just a statistic on a piece of paper. And only if you're on the winning side. If you're not.. well.. you just a part of a un-named mass burial site. Twisted Evil

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Rifle bullets went right through (or I misinterpreted?) Neutral

MobyDog SG

No the ballistic test were done on soft/light body armour and not military grade Body armour. The Dragon Skin is most effective and will stop typical round.