As an avid military gamer and armor enthusiast, few pieces of kit intrigue me more than the Russian “VANT” ballistic shield showcased recently. This opaque slab of protective gear seems engineered to thrive under heavy incoming fire based on impressive viral field tests. In this article I’ll analyze its design and capabilities compared to in-game favorites, discuss optimal use doctrine, and speculate on how Russia fields the VANT among its invasion-ready forces.
A Sturdy Shield Built for breaching
Even in the pixelated worlds of first-person shooters, we respect the stopping power and protection a well-engineered shield provides. The ability to bull rush under a stream of bullets while your squadmates pour fire over your shoulders seems straight out of an action movie. Yet for Russian infantry, the VANT delivers this barrier in a compact, 20” x 30” curved form weighing 15-20lbs based on its handling properties. No doubt the small rifle cutout helps stabilize aim while shielding vital organs.
We can trace lineage of the VANT concept back to old-school ballistic shields used in hostage rescue and VIP protection. Iconic designs like the Israeli Matador have seen action across the world. However, most Western variants focus on lighter weight at the expense of raw protective ability, maxing out with Level III armor plates. Russia clearly favored maximum life-saving potential over mobility, as the VANT’s resilience against 7.62mm threats matches the latest Level III+ specifications.
This means up to half a dozen standard AK rounds can strike the same spot at point blank before penetration occurs. And because ceramic composites barely degrade across multiple impacts, I’d gladly crouch behind that protection despite feeling like a turtle! Later testing shows the VANT shield shrugging off larger caliber impacts as well from the devastating .50 cal Steyr rifle. This aligns with its namesake – “VANT ” stands for “tough” or “durable”.
Testing Against Live Fire
My mind first jumped to raiding a Call of Duty: Warzone match with the VANT when watching Russian troops blast away at the shield in tests. I even spec’d out custom Blueprint aesthetic skins. Jokes aside, seeing performance against actual weaponry shows remarkable resilience compared to even top-tier in-game gear. While protection stats vary wildly in RPGs, we can objectively measure the VANT’s real world effectiveness:
| Threat | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 9mm pistol | Stopped outright, minor pockmarks |
| 12 ga Buckshot | Minimal dents across surface |
| 7.62mm Mild Steel Core (MSC) | Dents but does not allow penetration after hundreds of rounds |
| 7.62mm AP Incendiary | Deeper crater created but stopped short of breaching shield |
Clearly no standard infantry arms pose serious threat! And because spalling or backface deformation shows minimal effects inside, the operator stays safe. I’d gladly soak 500+ rounds judging by that resilience. Gamers will also appreciate how the shield’s protection remains consistent after repeated impacts in the same zones – no fracturing or hit point degradation like cheaper in-game kit.
While an RPG strike would probably still concuss anyone behind the VANT, some tests against .50 cal rifles provides clues for its durability: