British Kestral Body Armor

Every branch of each service in every country has different needs and requirements. With long active campaign in Northern Ireland and then the 2003 invasion of Iraq the British identified several issues with their primary battle armor and under work from independent contractors they developed the Kestrel and Osprey body armor lines. The Osprey (Generation 1, 2, 3 & 4) is modular and has more user options to configure to a mission, the Kestrel designed more for mounted armor crews (see machinegunners on armored vechicles using this often) offers more area of protection from shrapnel, I.E.D.'s and oblique shots due to continuous coverage and fewer gaps. It went through three revisions with the K3 being the final version before decision was made to consolidate into a single model in which the Osprey won out. The Kestrel has become very desireable with soldiers from other countries abd civilians making the surplus units very popular. This page will cover the British Kesteral K3 which has an outstanding hihg threat option and I own two due to its versitility and protection level.

BRITISH KESTERAL K3 RIFLE ARMOR

From first and second generation versions the K3 was updated with better buckles on side, suede leather patch on right shoulder to better secure the stock of rifle so it would not be slipping on nylon. The front and rear of vest are almost identical. The Kesteral has independent plate pockets for rifle plates that can be used for gear if used without them. this vest has some of the most expansive use and optimum placement of molle on any battle vest we have used.

Below will see where vest has been outfitted with accessory pockets. This vest is set up to use with my British L1a1 and L2a1 rifles and carries fout 20 round and two 30 round 7.62x511 NATO magazines. Moved the complete contents from a current U.S. issue IFAK for first aid plus a few fullfilment items to the medical kit pouch. A radio and its pretty much ready for use. All it needs is fresh water and some snacks to go into the field. It makes a great kit for macimum protecion from spall if working from an armored hide.

With six magazines loaded to half full, a total of 70 rounds, complete IFAK, radio and mostly ready to go with rifle plates installed is under 28 pounds. Fully loaded with ammo, water and some snacks the vest fields at under 35 pounds which is outstanding weight to protection ratio and why I pick these up whenever get the opportunity. I run a NIJ 4 plate in the front and a NIJ 3/ICW 4 plate in rear of both kits. Day I see one of these in woodland camoflauge will buy three and possibly resell the desert pattern as I live in a green world.