KBS Strelok
{{Short description|Set of body armor developed for Russian Army}}
{{Infobox military gear|name=KBS Strelok|type=Ballistic vest system|origin=Russian Federation|service=2023-present|used_by=Russian Armed Forces|wars=Russian Invasion of Ukraine|designer=Triada-TKO (part of Kalashnikov concern)|number=25000+|weight=12.2 kg (in Corset Plus configuration)|image=KBS Strelok 2.jpg|caption=Ivan Savin from VoenObzor wearing KBS Strelok armor}}
“Strelok” is a set of combat equipment (KBS, Komplekt Boyevogo Snaryazheniya), developed by the Triada-TKO company (part of the Kalashnikov Concern) for delivery to the troops of the Russian Armed Forces. The kit consists of a ballistic vest with a weight distribution system, additional protective modules, a set of pouches, as well as a backpack and a transport bag.{{Cite news |date=8 December 2023 |title="Калашников» начал поставки комплектов боевого снаряжения «Стрелок" |url=https://kalashnikovgroup.ru/news/kalashnikov-_nachal_postavki_komplektov_boevogo_snaryazheniya_-strelok |work=Kalashnikovgroup.ru |language=Ru}}
History
The kit was first presented at the Army 2023 exhibition.{{Cite web |title="Калашников" поставил в войска 25 тыс. комплектов нового боевого снаряжения "Стрелок" |url=https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/19707807 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=TASS}} Kalashnikov Concern started deliveries of KBS Strelok to the Army of Russian Federation in early December 2023,{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Overclockers.ru: Новое боевое снаряжение "Стрелок" для военных РФ начал поставлять концерн "Калашников" |url=https://overclockers.ru/blog/Fn_portfolio/show/124717/novoe-boevoe-snaryazhenie-strelok-dlya-voennyh-rf-nachal-postavlyat-koncern-kalashnikov |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Overclockers.ru}} with a goal of delivering 25,000 sets by the end of the year.{{Cite web |last=Плавская |first=Елена |date=2023-12-08 |title="Калашников" сообщил о начале поставок в войска боевого снаряжения "Стрелок" |url=https://iz.ru/1617492/2023-12-08/kalashnikov-soobshchil-o-nachale-postavok-v-voiska-boevogo-snariazheniia-strelok |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Известия |language=ru}} On 11 January 2024, Kalasnikov reported that all 25,000 sets of equipment were delivered to the troops.{{Cite news |date=11 January 2024 |title="Калашников» выполнил поставку комплектов боевого снаряжения «Стрелок" |url=https://kalashnikovgroup.ru/news/kalashnikov-_vypolnil_postavku_komplektov_boevogo_snaryazheniya_-strelok |work=Kalashnikogroup.ru |language=Ru}}
Description
KBS Strelok consists of several elements, including:
- Modular rig system (MRS) (Модульная разгрузочная система, МРС) consisting of a bulletproof vest in the “Corset Plus” configuration. It consists of a front and rear main parts connected at the shoulders and sides; armor pockets on the sides provide for the installation of additional armor plates. The body armor is connected to a belt, which helps redistribute the load from the shoulders. When equipped with GOST class 5 armor plates, the total weight is 12.2 kg.{{Cite web |title=Triada TKO catalogue |url=https://www.triada-tko.ru/documents/cat-T-TKO_RU_01-08-23_web_compressed-1.pdf |website=Triada TKO}}
- Additional protective modules, including protection for the shoulders, upper arms, groin, neck, thighs, and anti-splinter briefs.{{Citation |title=КБС "СТРЕЛОК": РАСПАКОВКА |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__A5XYyBvQ |access-date=2023-12-21 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=КБС "СТРЕЛОК": ВОПРОСЫ И ОТВЕТЫ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4qw-jOuCyg |access-date=2024-02-04 |language=en}} They provide anti-fragmentation protection according to class Br1 or C2.
- A set of pouches consisting of: 4 universal pouches for 2 rifle magazines, 1 pouch for a pistol magazine, 2 pouches for grenades, 1 pouch for a radio station, a medical pouch with a pouch for a tourniquet, as well as many utilitarian pouches.
- Backpack model T30.
- Bag for carrying.
The GOST class 5 rated armor plates that come with the vest are made by Shchelkovo Silk Weaving Factory, while the anti-fragmentation protection is reportedly produced by NII Stali.{{Cite web |title="Калашников» начал поставки комплектов боевого снаряжения «Стрелок" |url=https://www.tadviser.ru/index.php/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82:%D0%A1%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BA_%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%8B_%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE_%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=TAdviser.ru}}