Russia To Develop Nano-Armor, Delivery By 2015

Russia is developing an advanced light-weight ceramic armor for the military and police with about 5 to 6 times more protection and 25 percent price drop compared to the previous models, according to a local daily reports.

The new nano-armor technology has been allocated about $4.4 million, which will be delivered to the military by the end of 2015.

Ceramic armor plates manufactured with the use of boron carbide powder will be used to make bulletproof vests, armor protection for combat vehicles and even for combat aircraft as they would be four times lighter than the existing armor plates.

According to the Novosibirsk-based NEVZ-Soyuz company, boron carbide armor plates used in bulletproof vests would ensure effective protection from 7.62-mm rounds while vehicle armor would be able stop 12.7-mm and 14.5-mm rounds.

The company added that the new nano-armor could be used effectively to ensure anti-bullet protection of combat transport helicopters, such as the famed Mi-8 Hip, which does not have reliable armor protection.

NEVZ-Soyuz is planning to make the first prototypes by December and test them until November 2014.

The production of ceramic armor plates should start in the fourth quarter of 2015, the company said.