Infantry Combat Equipment (non-firearm): Vests, Body Armor, NVGs, etc.

PLA paratroopers with NVG. Still in that blue awful blue camo though, and it doesn't seem to "work better at night" as some have claimed.

Some screen captures of the NVGs and tactical helmets for the airborne...

Helmet looks like off the shelf Ops Core FAST. Did the Chinese but those internationally or is there a local maker?

TerraN_EmpirE said:

Helmet looks like off the shelf Ops Core FAST. Did the Chinese but those internationally or is there a local maker?

Click to expand...

If they buy originals I wonder how they get them, for I'm certain combat gear ain't part of the "trade deficit balancing" doesn't it?

My money on they sourced from Chinese manufacturer to produce them stuff that's up-to-spec.

The FAST is only rated to a 9mm so it probably would not any military technology embargo. They could have bought small batches for special unit trials. There doesn't seem to be any differences between the stock FAST and these ones so cloning... runs smack in to IP complaints like Will E Coyote does the desert floor.

“Form follows function”

The military is banned from sourcing anything from outside the country or moving it factories outside China unless a committee approves it first, such as in the case for S-400.

There are specific contracts to state owned companies which they have to go through in order to get something.

Form follows function is fine but This is a little to close.
I mean it's not just the cut or the side rails and NVG mount it's even the retention and Velcro.

It’s possible that they do have a contract that lets them buy universal parts like helmet straps etc for cost saving. But probably not the whole thing.

Not sure any company outside the country can make it to the relevant specs either.

Unless the specs are specifically designed to match a product. The PLA General issue helmet is claimed to be superior to the NATO Standard okay fine. But do the Airborne units feel that they need that? Previous airborne helmets didn't match that level of protection and being honest most of the threat is not actually rifle based but fragmentation effects as such the FAST would be plenty.
FAST was designed to be modular, able to be used with communications gear and lighter than the standard issue. Even compared to MICH or ACH.

Biscuits said:

It’s possible that they do have a contract that lets them buy universal parts like helmet straps etc for cost saving. But probably not the whole thing.

Click to expand...

Again for parts of this maybe. The Night vision mount okay.
But the side rails are identical to those on FAST. And between the two is the lanyard system that helps better mount the NOD.
Those are designed for specific functions to mount M1913 rail systems, The PLA didn't adopt that wide spread. They double in being able to mount breathing apparatus or armored mandible. For paratroopers breathing apparatus is more important.
As well as radio head sets.
The retention system is Gentex baby.
But the Velcro sells to me that these are either off the shelf real deal or knock off bump models.
The PLA doesn't seem to mount anything on it. The real deal uses that space for a number of functions. Patches and ensignia, wiring if com head sets, even an add on armored applaque.

The vest is from a private company I believe. Also notice the low observable badge.