Currently, manufacturers and suppliers in Ukraine follow a unified standard for the classification of ballistic protection levels — DSTU 8782:2018. The protection class is determined by the type and characteristics of the bullet (projectile), against which the body armor is designed to protect. Below are the protection classes (levels) according to this standard and their basic test parameters.
Protection classes under DSTU
| Protection class | Caliber of threat | Bullet type and designation | Bullet weight, g | Shooting distance, m | Bullet velocity, m/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9×18 mm (9 mm Makarov)** 9×19 mm (Luger, Para, 9×19 mm)** | Pst (57-N-181c)* FMJ RN SC | 5.9 8 | 5 | 335±10 400±10 |
| 2 | 7.62×25 mm (7.62×25 Tokarev)** | Pst (57-N-134c)* | 5.5 | 5 | 430±15 |
| 3 | 5.45×39 mm** 7.62×39 mm** | PS (7N6)* PS (57-N-231)* | 3.4 7.9 | 10 | 910±15 730±15 |
| 4 | 5.45×39 mm** 7.62×54 R** | PP (7N10)* LPS (57-N-232c)* | 3.6 9.6 | 10 | 910±15 850±15 |
| 5 | 7.62×39 mm** 7.62×54 R** | BZ (57-BZ-231)* LPS (57-N-232c)* | 7.4 9.6 | 10 | 745±15 850±15 |
| 6 | 7.62×54 R** | B-32 (7BZ-323)* | 10.4 | 10 | 850±15 |
* Index of CRAU AF of Ukraine** International ammunition designation according to TDCC C.I.P.
Note. Body armor of the declared class must be resistant to threats of lower classes. Special ammunition is used for testing body armor of special protection classes.
Designations and abbreviations used in the standard
B-32 – armor-piercing incendiary bullet with a steel core in a steel (bimetal) jacket;
BZ – armor-piercing incendiary bullet with a heat-strengthened core in a steel (bimetal) jacket;
VTK – Technical Control Department of the manufacturer;
ZIP – set of spare parts, tools, and accessories;
KD – design documentation;
LPS – light bullet with a steel non-heat-strengthened core in a steel (bimetal) jacket;
ND – normative document (rules, guidelines, or specifications for activities or results);
Pst – pistol bullet with a steel non-heat-strengthened core in a steel (bimetal) jacket;
PS – bullet with a steel core in a steel (bimetal) jacket;
PM – bullet with a heat-strengthened core in a steel jacket;
FMJ RN SC – full metal jacket bullet, round nose, soft core (designation according to NIJ 0106.01);
SM – special class of body armor protection against smoothbore weapons;
SX – special class of body armor protection against cold weapons;
TD – set of technological documentation;
TDCC C.I.P. – cartridge and chamber dimension tables according to the decisions of the Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms (C.I.P.);
CRAU AF of Ukraine – Central Rocket and Artillery Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
