International Ballistic Standards

There is a wide variety of armored vehicle buyers, each with a specific list of requirements and different needs.

International Armored Group offers full vehicle armoring solutions that are based on the client’s specification to ensure they are safe from their perceived level of threats.

In an effort to quantify the level of ballistic protection, there are numerous ballistic standards developed by authorities from various parts of the world. The most commonly used ballistic standard is the EN 1063 created by the European Committee for Standardization.

Even though many armored vehicle manufacturers create their own ballistic standards, there is no guarantee that their testing methodology and procedures are sound, making these standards unreliable in comparison to the international standards.

Due to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has been a high demand for armored vehicles in the Middle East area. The most popular vehicle armoring level for operation in these regions is B6, featuring 6mm ballistic steel and 39mm ballistic glass, capable of stopping multiple shots of high powered rifle rounds from weapons such as the AK47, M16, G3, and FAL.

IAG B6+, B6++ and B7 Vehicles

Recently, IAG has developed a new armoring design as a standard feature for all B6 vehicles. We call it B6+ level of protection as it offers superior protection than the regular B6 level.

By integrating as many whole pieces of ballistic armoring using thicker ballistic steel compared to the traditional B6 protection level, IAG B6+ vehicles provide superior ballistic and blast protection for the occupants. IAG is now phasing out the traditional B6 vehicles in favor of the B6+ design, offering a higher level of protection at B6 level prices.

Ballistic Armoring

IAG has worked together with organizations that frequently operate in hostile areas. Many of these clients have specific armoring requirements for protecting their personnel. One particular organization was concerned with the “skin” or “car body” effect. Essentially, the penetration property of the 5.56x45 mm SS109 round is altered when the round penetrates the vehicle’s OEM body first before impacting the ballistic steel armoring.

Even though B5 level armoring is rated to withstand multiple SS109 rounds directly, it is not always able to stop the round after it first penetrates the vehicle’s original body sheet, due to deformities in the projectile. IAG has developed a B6++ design to counter this phenomenon, which will also withstand multiple 7.62x54mmR rounds fired from weapons such as the Dragunov sniper rifle and PKM machine gun.

Featuring significantly thicker ballistic armoring than B6 vehicles, the design still maintains relatively a lower weight compared to B7 vehicles, offering much better off-road capabilities while providing occupants with the highest level of blast protection.

For the highest level of ballistic protection, IAG offers B7 level vehicles armored to withstand multipleshots of 7.62x51mm armor piercing rounds. It is important to note that protection from multiple impacts (3) is mandatory for the EN B7 level, but the National Institution of Justice (NIJ) standard level IV only requires single shot protection.

Due to the complexities associated with the thick B7 level armoring, there are many manufacturers that offer vehicles with only single shot protection, meaning that it is crucial for buyers to find out the specific protection level of an armored vehicle before making the purchase. It is also worth mentioning that even though B7 vehicles provide the highest level of ballistic protection, there are a few drawbacks such as reduced blast protection and off-road performance. It is also difficult to maintain the OEM appearance due to the thick transparent armoring used in the vehicle.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a single “best” level of armoring. Instead, each armoring level will be suitable for specific purpose based on variables including perceived level of threat and area of operation.

*includes protection against the "skin effect" or "car body effect" of SS109 rounds as discussed in the article.