“Warrior Assault Systems equipment is designed for individuals who are serious about their missions, whether in military, law enforcement, or high-risk private security operations,” says Matt Reece, Director at Dark Earth Tactical, the sole distributor of Warrior Assault Systems in Southern Africa.

“What sets these products apart is that they’re not only theoretically excellent – they have been tested in the most extreme operating conditions on the planet.”

A Legacy of battle-tested Innovation

Founded by a former UK SAS operator, Warrior Assault Systems was established to offer mission-critical equipment developed in consultation with active serving members of the SAS. Certain of the product lines include plate carriers, battle belts, patrol packs, daysacks, universal pistol holsters, and rapid rifle magazine pouches.

“All components are given a specific NIR treatment to reduce visibility on night vision systems, stitching is also UV and mold-resistant, and the modular nature of equipment ensures versatility for a wide range of operational needs,” Reece explains. “It’s gear that is built to survive, and our torture-test videos on Instagram show just that sort of assertiveness is not just marketing fluff.”

Africa-focused growth with a mission

Dark Earth Tactical is driving Warrior Assault Systems’ expansion in Africa with a clear mission: providing operators, anti-poaching units, and high-threat security teams with comfortable, lightweight, agile, and current-generation tactical equipment.

“We’ve reached a tipping point where cheaper gear has failed many operators in Africa, and serious users now recognise the value of investing in high-quality equipment that enhances their safety and effectiveness,” Reece notes.

While Warrior Assault Systems is committed to Africa, there are no plans to manufacture locally to avoid compromising on the quality of fabrics and hardware sourced globally.

“To produce locally would require using lesser materials, and we’re simply not prepared to make that compromise,” Reece says.

Meeting Africa’s tactical needs

Among the best-selling products of Warrior Assault Systems in Africa are the Universal Pistol Holsters and Rapid Rifle Magazine Pouches, which are appreciated for their versatility and retention systems.

“The universal holster will hold sub-compact to full-sized pistols with a level II retention thumb-drive system, so it is an excellent choice for customers who have multiple pistols,” Reece says.

“Our battle belts and low-profile plate carriers are also popular, which are not designed to interfere with accessories but rather keep the profile low and the weight light.”

Warrior Assault Systems equipment has been put to the test in deserts, jungles, cold climates, amphibious operations, and open conflict areas such as Ukraine, so it can withstand Africa’s diverse climates and extreme conditions.

“From the 225kg-rated Astra Alpine Cobra GT buckle on our LoPro Battle Belts to the 300kg-rated quick clips on our Recon Plate Carriers, these are the kind of details that matter in the field,” Reece points out.

Driven by End-User feedback

Even though Warrior Assault Systems takes feedback from the UK SAS teams and other special units across the globe, Dark Earth Tactical also plays its part to get field feedback for continuous improvement.

“Even though we have received limited requests for modifications, where possible we are always happy to listen and changes can be made with the manufacturer’s help,” says Reece.

Modularity of the gear is bespoke to African mission needs, including urban operations, bush country, and border patrol.

“If anti-poaching organizations need tailored loadouts, we counsel, requisition proper kits, and deliver within a four-week window, mission readiness unaffected,” Reece explains.

Building trust through Partnership

Dark Earth Tactical was chosen as the official distributor for Warrior Assault Systems due to the technical experience and market knowledge of the directors.

“We do not sell products, we build relationships. If a product is not suitable for a client’s operation, we won’t carry it,” Reece states.

The company offers training, product education, and after-sales support, including repairs and warranty replacements when needed.

“We’ve only had to do one minor repair on a demo unit subjected to serious abuse during testing, which speaks volumes about the gear’s durability,” Reece notes.

Dark Earth Tactical works directly with tactical units for training and demonstration purposes so that end-users know how to best utilize their gear.

“One of the most fulfilling aspects of our job is demonstrating to operators how the proper gear can enhance their speed, comfort, and survivability out in the field,” Reece explains.

Africa’s serious operators trust them

Keeping client confidentiality, Reece confirms that security firms, anti-poaching units, and high-end residential estates*all over Africa are repeatedly looking to Warrior Assault Systems gear.

“Those who have used the brand are familiar with the value proposition and are willing to pay for gear that holds up under stress,” he says.

Future-focused with a tactical edge

Looking ahead, Warrior Assault Systems plans continuous product innovation while maintaining a strict “no over-engineering” approach. “We’ve introduced three new products in the past two months alone, aligning with modern operational needs while avoiding unnecessary complexity,” Reece says.

In a continent where quality tactical gear may be the difference between mission success or failure, Warrior Assault Systems and Dark Earth Tactical are raising the bar. Their emphasis on operational excellence, combined with gear battle-tested in real-world conflict zones,

makes them a source of choice for Africa’s serious operators who demand reliability, comfort, and cutting-edge design.

The post Warrior Assault Systems, Dark Earth Tactical forge ahead in Africa’s tactical gear Market appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Deon du Plessis, Managing Director of Bullet Proofing Technology, explained to ProtectionWeb that the company’s ultra-light body armour plates are a fraction (1 kg) of the weight of plates 30 years ago (3 kg) for Level III protection. At a weight of less than 1 kg for a 250 x 300 mm multi-curve plate, BPT says its “Ultralight” plates are so light and comfortable that they can be worn for extended periods. The plates exceed the requirements of NIJ 0101 Level III, by also providing protection against the threats encountered in Southern Africa, being the 5.56×45 mm Ball (R4) and 7.62×39 mm Ball (Mild Steel Core) (AK-47) threats.

These plates are manufactured from UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) fibres, which have largely succeeded Kevlar. UHMWPE plates are so light that they have neutral buoyancy and can actually float on water.

Du Plessis said BPT has invested substantially in order to manufacture these UHMWPE plates in South Africa, having spent R15 million on its factories. This new generation of armour plate is being promoted to the South African Police Service (SAPS), amongst others, as it is half the weight of their current plates, but only costs 50% more.

At Securex 2025, BPT is showcasing a range of armour solutions to meet different requirements and costs, from premium super and ultra-light solutions to heavier but cheaper steel plates. In addition to body armour, the company is promoting its ballistic shields, which can protect against handguns and assault rifles. These are ideal for anti-zama zama operations, for example, where more protection is needed than a bullet-resistant vest.

Since establishment in 1997, BPT has supplied more than 1.3 million body armour plates and over 2 000 armoured vehicle kits to customers around the world. The company’s main focus is on body armour plates and military vehicle armour, supplying armour to several of South Africa’s leading armoured vehicle manufacturers; BPT completes 300-500 vehicle armour sets a year, and 70-150 000 body armour panels annually.

The other 5% of BPT’s turnover comes from specials, including bullet traps, shields, aircraft, ship and building armour. Materials used include ceramics, Aramid fibre, armour steel, special polymers and UHMWPE fibres.

BPT is accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) to certify ballistic testing on body armour (SANS 1658:2007 and STANAG 2920), vehicle armour (EN 1523) and military vehicle armour (STANAG 4569). This is a first for South Africa and BPT is currently the only South African company accredited to do any of this testing in their specially equipped ballistic testing facility, the company said.

The post BPT highlights ultra-lightweight body armour at Securex 2025 appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

With nearly four decades of experience, Cape Town-based SIRDICKS employs nearly 100 staff, making it one of South Africa’s largest bullet resistant vest manufacturers. The company has produced vests for the South African Police Service, Department of Correctional Services, South African National Defence Force, local municipalities, and the United Nations, amongst others.

One of its innovative products is an inflatable armoured jacket that has been taken into service by the South African Navy – this can either inflate in water automatically or when a rip-cord is pulled. The inflatable system makes sure the person in the water floats chin-up to avoid drowning.

SIRDICKS has custom designed armoured vests for the SA National Defence Force, emergency medical services (EMS), and private security companies. Some of its new innovations include a utility EMS bullet resistant vest and bullet resistant leather jackets. Various prototypes for customers are currently in the works.

“With a rich tailoring background, SIRDICKS is an industry leader when it comes to design and development, quality and on-time service delivery,” said Shuaib Gierdien, Business Development Manager at SIRDICKS. “We are also one of the few companies in the local ballistic sector that has an Armscor approved shooting range with the factory capability to manufacture bulletproof vests of any specified style and level of protection.”

A notable achievement for SIRDICKS was upgrading its shooting range for NIJ Level IIIA testing, allowing the company to test its armour against 9 mm and .44 Magnum handgun rounds. Stringent testing and quality control is critical as substandard products can put users’ lives at risk. Shuaib notes that one of the biggest challenges facing the bullet resistant vest industry is that it is not regulated enough to hold newcomers to the same strict standards that established manufacturing companies are governed by.

A significant landmark for SIRDICKS was the development of the South African Army’s new service dress uniform, which has been rolled out to all high-ranking officials for trial wear. The new uniform was developed as the old design was being copied and did not fit all body types.

Some 90% of SIRDICKS work comes from the SA National Defence Force and the military market, and to this end the company has been contracted to design and develop a new prototype bulletproof vest for the defence force.

SIRDICKS sees robust demand for bullet resistant vests locally, and is positive about the future of government contracts because of new laws, accountability and transparency in government. “We continue to set the bar high for quality products,” Shuaib emphasised.

Conflict in Ukraine, and increased worldwide defence and security spending, has seen a sharp rise in the global demand for ballistic materials. “It is clear that most major defence forces are bolstering up all defence supplies due to regional insecurity. We hope that with enough international exposure we can take advantage of this demand,” Shuaib said.

The post Bullet resistant vests and specialised uniforms a key focus for SIRDICKS appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

BPT, which exhibited at the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition, was established in South Africa in 1997 as a developer and manufacturer of bullet resistant and armour protection materials and systems. Since then, BPT has become South Africa’s foremost manufacturer and supplier of advanced armour protection materials and products, said Deon du Plessis, Managing Director of Bullet Proofing Technology.

The company’s main focus is on body armour plates and military vehicle armour. BPT completes 300-500 vehicle armour sets a year, and 70-150 000 body armour panels annually. The other 5% of BPT’s turnover comes from specials, including bullet traps, shields, aircraft, ship and building armour. Materials used include ceramics, Aramid fibre, armour steel, special polymers and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) fibres.

“BPT has its own production facilities in South Africa and by using technology established in South Africa since 1976, BPT has the ability to develop and produce unique products and materials based on the threats encountered in Africa and other world regions,” Leon van der Westhuizen, BPT’s technical Director, said. The company is fully BBBEE compliant with more than 51% Black Ownership and more than 90% of all materials used are manufactured in South Africa.

BPT’s products are in use all over the world and in varying environmental conditions, from subzero temperatures in Sweden to Middle Eastern countries where temperatures can soar beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Du Plessis emphasised that BPT’s products have proven themselves in hugely different environments, and its quality control system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

BPT brought a range of new products to the 2024 edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition, and these include:

Lightweight neutral buoyancy armour: By investing in ultra-high pressure heated platten presses, BPT has established a local manufacturing capability in ultra-low weight armour protection panels using UHMWPE materials developed in Europe and the USA. The UHMWPE plates are so light that they have neutral buoyancy and can actually float on water, thus having only a small effect on the weight and centre of rotation of any watercraft, aircraft or vehicle. This product is also extensively used in armouring luxury civilian vehicles.

“Ultralight” body armour plates: Technology has made huge leaps forward in armour development, and BPT notes the weight of body armour plates has been dropping, going from over 3 kg in 1990 to less than 1 kg now for a locally produced Level III body armour plate. At a weight of less than 1 kg for a 250 x 300 mm multi-curve plate, BPT says its “Ultralight” plates are so light and comfortable that they can be worn for extended periods. The plates exceed the requirements of NIJ 0101 Level III, by also providing protection against the threats encountered in Southern Africa, being the 5.56×45 Ball (R4) and 7.62×39 Ball (Mild Steel Core) (AK-47) threats. There are ICW (In Conjunction With) and Stand-Alone versions of the “Ultralight” plates available, with only a .1kg weight difference between the two versions.

Shields: Shields are again becoming a serious consideration for special task teams. BPT has used its newly developed “Ultralight” UHMWPE material as basis for a new lightweight Level III Shield, which, with the addition of an add-on panel, can be further upgraded to Level IV protection (up to .30-06 armour piercing rounds).

“Vikashield” add-on vehicle armour: As vehicle development and qualification costs are extremely high, it makes a lot of sense for armoured vehicle manufacturers to develop a base vehicle with a specific armour material and thickness and to qualify this to the structural and blast requirements, BPT maintains. By adding add-on materials, such as BPT’s Vikashield and other add-on armour systems, the protection level of the base vehicle can be increased to whatever is required. “As South Africa is now in the process of acquiring new lightweight border control vehicles, add-on armour such as the Vikashield system is now again a perfect solution which is available again, in a new refined system,” du Plessis said.

In addition to its new products, BPT is also highlighting the fact that it is accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) to certify ballistic testing on body armour (SANS 1658:2007 and STANAG 2920), vehicle armour (EN 1523) and military vehicle armour (STANAG 4569). This is a first for South Africa and BPT is currently the only South African company accredited to do any of this testing in their specially equipped ballistic testing facility, the company said.

The post BPT showcases new armour innovations appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

At the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition in Pretoria it is showcasing a range of new products, including neutral buoyance armour, ultralight body armour plates, and 3D moulded armoured shields, amongst others.

BPT was established in South Africa in 1997 as a developer and manufacturer of bullet resistant and armour protection materials and systems. Since then, BPT has become South Africa’s foremost manufacturer and supplier of advanced armour protection materials and products, said Deon du Plessis, Managing Director of Bullet Proofing Technology.

The company’s main focus is on body armour plates and military vehicle armour. BPT completes 300-500 vehicle armour sets a year, and 70-150 000 body armour panels annually. The other 5% of BPT’s turnover comes from specials, including bullet traps, shields, aircraft, ship and building armour. Materials used include ceramics, Aramid fibre, armour steel, special polymers and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) fibres.

“BPT has its own production facilities in South Africa and by using technology established in South Africa since 1976, BPT has the ability to develop and produce unique products and materials based on the threats encountered in Africa and other world regions,” Leon van der Westhuizen, BPT’s technical Director, said. The company is fully BBBEE compliant with more than 51% Black Ownership and more than 90% of all materials used are manufactured in South Africa.

BPT’s products are in use all over the world and in varying environmental conditions, from subzero temperatures in Sweden to Middle Eastern countries where temperatures can soar beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Du Plessis emphasised that BPT’s products have proven themselves in hugely different environments, and its quality control system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

BPT brought a range of new products to the 2024 edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition, and these include:

Lightweight neutral buoyancy armour: By investing in ultra-high pressure heated platten presses, BPT has established a local manufacturing capability in ultra-low weight armour protection panels using UHMWPE materials developed in Europe and the USA. The UHMWPE plates are so light that they have neutral buoyancy and can actually float on water, thus having only a small effect on the weight and centre of rotation of any watercraft, aircraft or vehicle. This product is also extensively used in armouring luxury civilian vehicles.

“Ultralight” body armour plates: Technology has made huge leaps forward in armour development, and BPT notes the weight of body armour plates has been dropping, going from over 3 kg in 1990 to less than 1 kg now for a locally produced Level III body armour plate. At a weight of less than 1 kg for a 250 x 300 mm multi-curve plate, BPT says its “Ultralight” plates are so light and comfortable that they can be worn for extended periods. The plates exceed the requirements of NIJ 0101 Level III, by also providing protection against the threats encountered in Southern Africa, being the 5.56×45 Ball (R4) and 7.62×39 Ball (Mild Steel Core) (AK-47) threats. There are ICW (In Conjunction With) and Stand-Alone versions of the “Ultralight” plates available, with only a .1kg weight difference between the two versions.

Shields: Shields are again becoming a serious consideration for special task teams. BPT has used its newly developed “Ultralight” UHMWPE material as basis for a new lightweight Level III Shield, which, with the addition of an add-on panel, can be further upgraded to Level IV protection (up to .30-06 armour piercing rounds).

“Vikashield” add-on vehicle armour: As vehicle development and qualification costs are extremely high, it makes a lot of sense for armoured vehicle manufacturers to develop a base vehicle with a specific armour material and thickness and to qualify this to the structural and blast requirements, BPT maintains. By adding add-on materials, such as BPT’s Vikashield and other add-on armour systems, the protection level of the base vehicle can be increased to whatever is required. “As South Africa is now in the process of acquiring new lightweight border control vehicles, add-on armour such as the Vikashield system is now again a perfect solution which is available again, in a new refined system,” du Plessis said.

In addition to its new products, BPT is also highlighting the fact that it is accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) to certify ballistic testing on body armour (SANS 1658:2007 and STANAG 2920), vehicle armour (EN 1523) and military vehicle armour (STANAG 4569). This is a first for South Africa and BPT is currently the only South African company accredited to do any of this testing in their specially equipped ballistic testing facility, the company said.

The post BPT showcases new armour innovations appeared first on ProtectionWeb.