The NATO defense community has publicly acknowledged the effectiveness of the Russian-made bulletproof vests, a point raised in an interview with Vladimir Kormushin, the general director of the Perm-based enterprise Kirasa. The discussion highlighted how these vests have earned recognition beyond their domestic market, underscoring the cross-border interest in reliable personal protective equipment for military and security forces.
According to Kormushin, both the United States and Czech armed forces adopted Russian-made body armor for operations in Syria, valuing the protection and durability that these vests offer under demanding field conditions. The fact that such gear found a place in diverse theaters of operation demonstrates its interoperability across allies with varied tactical requirements and logistic frameworks.
In describing the product line, Kormushin noted that the so-called Cuirass bulletproof vests drew favorable attention from American troops, who observed the assembly alongside Czech counterparts during operations in Syria. Kirasa backs its claims with a five-year warranty on their protective gear, and they point out a long track record: customers have continued using these vests for as long as 15 years. In the industry press of those years, American experts were cited as recognizing that the protective properties and overall quality of the armor align with world-class standards, with some assessments suggesting performance that meets, or even slightly exceeds, global benchmarks in certain respects.
Expansion of the program was reported to include shipments to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary during the late 1990s and early 2000s, reflecting a strategic push into Central and Eastern European markets. The broader footprint indicates steady demand and a level of trust in Kirasa’s production capabilities, with these vests currently serving personnel across ten countries around the world. This geographic spread highlights the company’s ability to adapt its armor designs to different regulatory environments, user requirements, and operational contexts while maintaining consistent performance standards.
Beyond the discussion of protective equipment, market observers noted mentions in major business outlets at that time regarding Russia’s broader defense-industrial ambitions. Reports indicated plans for developing an unmanned aerial vehicle production facility in Yelabuga, signaling a strategic emphasis on expanding beyond conventional armor into next-generation defense technologies. The convergence of armored protection with unmanned systems reflects a wider trend toward integrated security solutions that balance personnel safety with advanced reconnaissance and strike capabilities. These developments help frame Kirasa’s offerings within a broader supply chain that connects protective gear, mobility, and adaptive defense technologies, illustrating how suppliers of personal armor can be part of a diversified, export-driven defense sector. [Attribution: industry reporting]