Extended duties on the battlefield and the prolonged nature of low-intensity conflict have got militaries around the world to rethink their war strategies and the development of combat gear needed to cope with such scenarios. Gone are the days when the only purpose of a soldier’s body armour was to protect against a threat. Progressively long operational time has necessitated the development of an armour suit that not only protects soldiers against threats from bullet shots and the lethal fragments of shrapnel but also reduces its adverse effects on their performance and maneuverability over prolonged missions.

Let’s look at some of the hindrances that crop-up due to prolonged wearing of body armour.

• The weight of the armour restricts movement, reducing efficiency.

• Impedes mobility on the fluid, fast-moving battlefield.

• Affects maneuverability & agility in carrying out complex tasks.

• Improper fitting distracts & hinders performance.

• Poor ventilation makes it uncomfortable.

• Unevenly distributed weight of body armour, accelerates chances of fatigue.

Although a number of manufacturers of protection systems around the world have developed lightweight armour solutions that provide ballistic protection, most lack the necessary ergonomics that play a vital role when used in real-life scenarios. For example, on average soldiers are encumbered with over 30-35kgs of weight that includes body armour, weaponry, ammunition and self-sustaining equipment. The fatigue caused by this weight over extended missions is one of the reasons soldiers often choose to discard body armour, even at the expense of their safety.

To counter this, lightweight armor alone doesn’t solve the problem. This is because the added weight of the combat gear negates the advantage provided by the lightness of the body armor, and with the extra load of the add-on gear, its effectiveness is reduced significantly.

However, not all developments in this area have been ineffective. ILDS (Insta Load Distribution System) an innovative new technology developed by MKU, has significantly changed the way soldiers carry their combat gear. Compatible with most of MKU’s combat and tactical armor vests like Instavest, ILDS intelligently manages the load carried by a soldier by lifting the weight from his shoulders, back and spine and redistributing it to his hips and legs, resulting in extreme comfort and greater mobility. This substantially enhances a soldier’s performance and allows them to carry their loads easily over long periods, without hindering their range of motions in any tactical situation. Watch ILDS demo video here.

Made with high-quality composites, the ILDS system uses no metal parts and generally comprises of 2 sub-systems – a smart load distribution assembly (SLDA) which can be simply attached to the rear panel of MOLLE compatible vests with a custom ILDS pouch, and an Insta Waist Belt with smart load-bearing gear to accommodate the assembly. This technology comes with a universal size that fits all size and height combinations. It is also compatible with the MKU’s patented quick-release system of Instavest for fast doffing and donning of the vest.

Front opening over vest 

(Protech Overvests)

Front opening over vest

(Tactical vest)

Flotation Over vest

(Special Purpose Overvests)