How Strong Is Modern Russian Military Armor?

Published on January 19, 2025
Duration: 23:56

This video provides an expert-level assessment of the Russian 6B45 Granite body armor, conducted by Garand Thumb. The testing protocol simulates various combat threats using NATO and common global rounds, including .50 AE, 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, .30-06 AP, and .300 Winchester Magnum. The armor demonstrates impressive performance, often exceeding expectations and proving to be a legitimate Level IV equivalent despite its lightweight and thin profile. The speaker emphasizes that while gear is important, training remains paramount.

Quick Summary

The Russian 6B45 Granite armor, rated GOST 5A, performs comparably to Level IV body armor. Rigorous testing showed it stopping .50 AE, 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, .30-06 AP, and .300 Winchester Magnum rounds, proving its effectiveness despite a lightweight and thin profile.

Chapters

  1. 00:22Introduction to 6B45 Granite Armor
  2. 02:31Threat Ratings and Testing Protocol
  3. 04:17Handgun and Shotgun Testing
  4. 07:15Rifle Caliber Testing: 7.62x39mm and 5.56mm
  5. 13:46Full-Power Rifle Testing: 7.62x51mm and .30-06
  6. 20:40High-Energy Testing: .300 Winchester Magnum
  7. 22:31Conclusion and Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Russian 6B45 Granite armor perform against high-energy rifle rounds?

The 6B45 Granite armor demonstrated impressive performance, stopping 7.62x51mm M80 and M80A1, .30-06 AP rounds, and even a .300 Winchester Magnum, though the latter caused significant damage to the plate. This suggests it meets or exceeds Level IV equivalent standards.

What is the GOST 5A rating for the 6B45 Granite armor?

The GOST 5A rating for the 6B45 Granite armor theoretically requires it to stop at least one round of 7.62x39mm armor-piercing incendiary ammunition. Testing showed it performed well beyond this baseline against a variety of threats.

Is the 6B45 Granite armor comparable to US body armor standards?

Yes, the testing indicates the 6B45 Granite armor performs at a Level IV equivalent standard by NIJ metrics. Despite being lightweight and thin compared to US ESAPI plates, it successfully stopped numerous high-energy projectiles.

What are the key takeaways from testing the 6B45 Granite armor?

The Russian 6B45 Granite armor is highly effective, performing comparably to Level IV armor. The video emphasizes not underestimating adversaries and highlights that while gear is crucial, effective training remains the most important factor in survivability.

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