Russian 6B 23-1 and 2 Armor Vests

Russian 6B23 Series Body Armor Vests – Historical and Design OverviewThe 6B23 series, introduced in 2003–2004, became the standard-issue body armor for the Russian Armed Forces during the post-Chechen War era and remained in widespread use through the 2010s. Developed under the GRAU index system and produced primarily by ZAO NPP KlASS (and later other contractors), the 6B23 was part of the broader effort to equip infantry, airborne troops, marines, and internal troops with affordable, modular protection that prioritized frontal threats while keeping weight and cost manageable.The series evolved from earlier Soviet-era vests (like the 6B2/6B5) and addressed lessons from Chechnya, where fragmentation and small-arms fire were primary killers. Unlike Western designs that emphasized balanced coverage, the 6B23 adopted a front-heavy philosophy: maximum rifle protection to the chest (where most incoming fire was expected) with lighter soft armor to the back and sides for mobility and reduced fatigue.Core Variants
  • 6B23 (base): Soft aramid only (Class 2 protection against handgun rounds and fragments).
  • 6B23-1: Added a removable 6.3 mm steel “44S” plate in the front pocket (Class 3 overall; stops 5.45×39 mm 7N10/7N22 and 7.62×39 mm from AK-74/AKM at 10–50 m).
  • 6B23-2: Upgraded to front ceramic “Granit-4M” plate + rear steel plate (Class 4 balanced protection).
Layout and Construction The vest uses a rugged olive-drab or Flora/EMR camouflaged nylon carrier with MOLLE webbing on the front and sides for pouches. Protection is divided into:
  1. Front section — Large pocket for the hard plate (steel in -1, ceramic in -2). Behind it sits a quilted soft aramid pack (~30 layers of TSVM-2 para-aramid fabric) providing baseline fragment/handgun resistance across the torso.
  2. Rear section — Integrated soft aramid fabric only (no dedicated hard-plate pocket in the -1 variant). This kept rear weight down (~4 kg base soft configuration) and allowed better backpack/sling compatibility.
  3. Sides — Soft aramid flaps with Velcro adjustments for fit; minimal coverage to preserve mobility.
  4. Shoulders and collar — Padded shoulder straps and a modest aramid collar for neck/jugular protection.
The vest is donned over the head or by separating one shoulder seam, then secured with an internal abdominal belt and external cummerbund-style belt with a flap closure. Total weight ranges from ~4 kg (soft-only) to 7.9–9 kg (with front plate in -1). Protected area is approximately 8–10 sq. dm front and 7–8 sq. dm rear (soft).Historical Role and Legacy The 6B23 saw extensive service in counter-terrorism, Georgia 2008, Syria, and early Ukraine operations. It was criticized for limited rear protection and heavy front plate but praised for low cost, ruggedness, and ease of production. By the mid-2010s, it began phasing out in favor of the Ratnik program’s 6B45/6B47 vests with more modular, balanced hard armor. Today, surplus 6B23s remain popular with collectors and in conflict zones due to their iconic design and historical significance as Russia’s first mass-produced “plate-carrier lite” system.

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