Brigantes have recently confirmed a new agreement with US-based body armour manufacturer, Armor Forge, naming them as the primary point of contact for UK military sales and a new point of contact for EU sales. This powerful partnership is set to revolutionise body armour for the UK’s Armed Forces and Police Units, bringing Armor Forge’s state-of-the-art trailblazing technology to the forefront of strategic operations.

A distinguished alliance

Founded in 2014 by ex-military personnel, Brigantes are the go-to specialist for on-the-soldier equipment for every conceivable operational environment. Uniting decades of military experience with advanced technical expertise, keen industry awareness, and unique alliances with world-leading brands, they have cemented themselves as a trusted international supplier to NATO military, government, and elite police units.

Established in 2020, Armor Forge are the proud creator of the first graphene-integrated nanocomposite armour system on the planet. The product of leading scientific partnerships and two years of hands-on development with warfighters and law enforcement professionals, Armor Forge’s body armour systems are the mostadvanced solutions on the market today. 

The partnership between these two companies will bring the extraordinary capability of Armor Forge to the UK market, catapulting Armed Forces and Police Units body armour into the 21st century, following decades of stagnation in this realm. In addition to serving as the point of contact for UK military sales, Brigantes will also take up the role as one of the key points of contact for sales across the EU. 

A new frontier – the graphene solution

The body armour industry is one that has remained somewhat frozen in time for several decades, with many of the major manufacturers continuing to use outdated, 50-year old technology in their systems. Technology which has not been adapted to keep pace with the modern threats that we can expect to face on today’s battlefields. If ever there were a compelling counter-argument for the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” rhetoric, it is this one. Body armour is one of the most vital life sources for operators navigating hostile environments. An upgrade was long overdue. Frustrated by the range of armour solutions available, Armor Forge set about to create their own solution; one that provided unparalleled protection, without compromise. Fulfilling the need for protection that was lightweight yet extremely durable. 

Graphene was the answer, but the equation was far from simple. With a unique structure of tightly bonded atoms, graphene is 200x stronger than steel. However, it is also notoriously difficult to work with, and despite numerous competitor attempts to utilise it into armoured solutions since its discovery in 2004, all proved unsuccessful. Until now.

Image credit – Armor ForgeLighter. Thinner. Stronger Trailblazers to their core, Armor Forge have cracked the graphene code. Utilising the expertise of leading scientists in graphene nano integration, aerospace composite and next-generation materials, as well as close partnerships with clients including NASA and SpaceX, they have been able to produce the first ever graphene-based armour system.

This development is truly no small feat, and the proof of this is in the astounding protective properties of the finished product. Offering extreme durability, thinness and reliability, in a sleek, lightweight package, Armor Forge is lightyears ahead of its competitors. Manufactured at their facility in Colorado, USA, these plates are stab, drop and impact-proof, whilst also offering heat stability and hydrophobic properties. All products go through extensive testing at NTS Chesapeake – the premier ballistics lab in the US, exceeding NIJ standards, and do not require X-Ray verification prior to issuing. Not enough to excel in performance, Armor Forge plates also boast an impressive 10-year lifespan, twice the average of their competitors. 

Precision is key and every detail is considered throughout the manufacturing process. Each Armor Forge plate is assembled by a single composite technician, in accordance with ISO 1000 standards. Committed to innovation and with a deep understanding of the nuances of the modern battlefield, Armor Forge can also develop orders on a custom basis, producing at a scale to suit their customer’s unique requirements.

Let’s talk

This is a truly exciting development for the UK Defence market. Through the partnership of these two companies, Armor Forge’s next-level innovation can be delivered into the hands of those who need it, finally providing them with cutting-edge protection which meets the demands of the environments in which they serve and enabling them to harness their complete potential. To learn more about the bespoke capabilities available through Armor Forge and how they can be leveraged to enhance your operations, get in touch with us today.

www.brigantes.com

THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER OF DEFENCE AT NFM

FOCUS ON EQUIPMENT FOR NORWEGIAN SOLDIERS AND SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

30 OCT – The Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram visited NFM Group’s headquarters in Norway on Friday 25th of October. The purpose of the visit was to give the Minister and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense an insight of NFM’s position, capacities and activities in the Norwegian defense industry.

This was the first time Gram visited NFM Group, which is Norway’s third largest company in the defense industry. The delegation included political adviser in the Ministry of Defense, Ingrid Nikoline Sand and adviser Håkon Jahr, as well as expedition manager in the investment department, Anders Melheim, and senior communications adviser, Asgeir Spange Brekke.

Walter Øverland, CEO and one of the founders of NFM, presented the company’s history which began in 1996, when he and three other active members of the Norwegian defense wanted to improve their issued equipment. They began by redesigning combat vests, and shortly after the four partners received their first order from the Norwegian Armed Forces.

To meet the increasing demands, the first factory was opened in Poland. Today, NFM has over 1,000 employees spread over seven production and sales locations in Europe and the USA, with an annual result of around NOK 3 billion.

The history and strong growth of the NFM is impressive, noted the Minister of Defense. It is incredible how NFM has gone from 0 to 100 in so few years.

THE COMBAT VEST PROGRAM AND PRODUCTS

NFM has recently completed the first delivery of 22,000 new and complete combat vest systems to the Norwegian Armed Forces, which will give Norwegian soldiers access to one of the world’s most modern and modular systems. This has been developed through good cooperation between NFM, the Norwegian Defense Research Institute, Norwegian Defense Material Agency and the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The combat vest M22 is a significant upgrade of the load bearing system for Norwegian soldiers. It is scalable and can easily be adapted to different roles and missions. The vest is made of a laser-cut, innovative material that withstands absorbing water. Weighing only 1500 grams, the vest is one of the lightest on the market. The combat vest is an example of how research and development can increase soldiers’ operational ability with lighter, better and more comfortable equipment, Øverland explains.

Defense Minister Gram pointed out the need for more equipment in line with the Defense’s growth:

We plan to increase the number of conscripts by 50 percent, which entails a great need for equipment to maintain readiness. It has been very interesting to learn more about NFM and explore the possibilities for long-term cooperation locally, he said.

With the recent delivery of combat vests to the Norwegian Armed Forces as a testament of a successful cooperation, NFM sees great opportunities in the expanded cooperation across the Nordics.

With Sweden and Finland as members of NATO, the situation is now very good for more Nordic cooperation in the procurement of material. We experienced a shared positive agreement in the meeting room that the opportunities are particularly good in equipment for personal equipment and protection,said Øverland.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

During the meeting, Ukraine also became an important topic, a country with an urgent need for personal protective equipment for soldiers on the front line. The Norwegian Armed Forces have already donated significant amounts of material to Ukraine. Immediately after the full-scale invasion, the Norwegian Armed Forces donated some vests from their own stock. These vests were originally manufactured by NFM.

Through social media, NFM has received feedback from Ukrainian soldiers where they express gratitude that the NFM equipment has saved their lives after surviving attacks. A direct result of the Armed Forces’ donations.

Through social media, NFM has received feedback from Ukrainian soldiers where they express gratitude that the NFM equipment has saved their lives after surviving attacks. A direct result of the Armed Forces’ donations.

Ukraine needs significant mobilization, and we have many Norwegian soldiers who help train the Ukrainian forces. We also contribute to equipping them. With the war in Europe, it is crucial to ensure that the soldiers have the protection they need. Through direct dialogue, we want to give the industry predictability, so that they can support our common goals in the best possible way, said Gram about Norway’s efforts for Ukraine.

Øverland from NFM emphasized how important it is to have long-term plans for efficient production:

If we have a 12-month horizon, it is incredible what we can achieve. If we know what the needs are and the volumes that will come over time, we can streamline the production and make it more cost-effective for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.

TOUR OF PRODUCTION AND THE TEST LABORATORY

The Minister of Defense and his entourage were also given a tour of NFM’s head office in Ski in Norway, where they, among other things, could experience how the company produces ballistic plates and helmets.

NFM has developed an advanced press technology that enables pressing with controlled temperature and pressure, operating with 2-3 times higher pressure than the competitors. This provides a better consolidation of the fibers and results in higher performance in the products, explained Øverland.

At NFM headquarters we have our own test lab on site, where ballistic products are tested according to international standards. This gives access to immediate test results, before they are sent for verification at independent laboratories, ensuring a very time-efficient development process.

The Norwegian Defence overviewed a demonstration from Principal Ballistic Engineer, Susanne Thomesen. Thomesen had just before the presentation, shot some ballistic plates in the test laboratory, as part of a development project together with another western country.

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS

We take pride to host this important visit, having the opportunities to share our insights, achievements, and visions for the future. NFM Group will continue the strengthening our collaboration with Norwegian authorities and contribute to the ongoing efforts for the Norwegian defence.

nfm.no