French Special Forces to Be Equipped with Modular G3P Body Armor.

With the rapid evolution of military technologies and increasingly sophisticated threats, the protection of combatants must continuously adapt without sacrificing agility in the field. To meet these challenges, armed forces are investing in innovative materials that are both lightweight and highly resistant. Among the latest advancements, the French Joint Equipment Support Center (CIEC) unveiled the new modular G3P body armor in 2022. According to Opex360, this new armor is set to equip special forces units soon. The G3P stands out for its modularity and the integration of real-time monitoring technologies, providing effective protection while enhancing the mobility of operators.
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This new body armor is primarily designed for special operations forces and aims to provide modular protection adaptable to different threats on the battlefield(Picture source: Agence Innovation Défense)

As threats evolve and more powerful weapons are deployed, ballistic protection requires constant adjustments without compromising mobility. Developing materials that are both light and resistant has become a priority for military forces. Recent research has focused on solutions such as spider silk, mother-of-pearl, and architectured materials, offering much higher resistance levels than current technologies like Kevlar.

In October 2022, the CIEC presented its G3P project at the Army Capabilities Presentation (PCAT). This new body armor is primarily designed for special operations forces and aims to provide modular protection adaptable to different threats on the battlefield. It allows operators to adjust their protection according to the risk, using lighter ballistic plates for increased mobility or adding class 4 plates to protect against armor-piercing rounds, such as sniper bullets.

The G3P is built from several types of ceramics, including boron carbide, silicon carbide, and titanium.

In addition to these advanced materials, the armor incorporates a system for monitoring the integrity of the plates called GMOS-TherMOS, developed by the CIEC in collaboration with an industrial partner. This system continuously monitors the plates’ condition via integrated sensors, alerting the soldier immediately in the event of damage or exposure to temperatures that could degrade their effectiveness.

This system offers two main advantages: it enables combatants to autonomously check and replace their plates when necessary, and it eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming radiographic inspections. By 2025, over 60,000 GMOS-TherMOS chips will be produced to equip 15,000 plates, particularly for special forces.

This new generation of body armor could represent a turning point in soldier protection, combining lightness, efficiency, and technological innovation.