In the early 1980s, the General Logistics Department Equipment Research Institute introduced the Type 54 and Type 79 bulletproof vests in response to domestic and international demands.
In 1983, five U.S. soldiers wearing "Kevlar" bulletproof vests faced a grenade attack on the streets of Beirut but miraculously survived without any casualties. This incident brought widespread fame to "Kevlar," almost making it synonymous with the second generation of bulletproof vests. However, wearing "Kevlar" doesn't make one invulnerable, especially in the face of modern weapons' continuous development. Soft body armor such as "Kevlar" still proves inadequate against high-velocity bullets, particularly from assault rifles. Additionally, the bulletproof effectiveness of "Kevlar" vests sharply decreases under sunlight or in humid conditions.
In parallel with the historical development of bulletproof vests, the research and development of individual protective equipment in China also underwent a process of gradual advancement.
In the early 1980s, the General Logistics Department Equipment Research Institute introduced the Type 54 and Type 79 bulletproof vests in response to domestic and international demands. From a technical standpoint, both products utilized relatively mature special bullet-resistant steel technology, effectively resisting shots from the Type 54 pistol within 5 meters and the Type 79 submachine gun within 10 meters. Moreover, these vests were cost-effective with a relatively low price.
The outbreak of the Gulf War led to the widespread issuance and use of individual protective equipment, significantly reducing casualties for Western armies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, on the battlefield. In response to this situation, Chinese researchers closely followed top international technologies, intensifying the development of new materials and techniques. Consequently, they successfully developed a series of soft body armor, addressing issues such as the weight and comfort of protective gear. Simultaneously, China gradually achieved domestic production of raw materials, making it the third country, after the United States and the Netherlands, to possess a complete industry chain for producing bulletproof vests.