Infantry Combat Equipment (non-firearm): Vests, Body Armor, NVGs, etc.

LawLeadsToPeace

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Does anyone know the context of these images? Judging from the second image, it appears the soldier is wearing a vest that is not standard issue. Also, what's that pouch/bag looking thing on his left upper leg?

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That looks like a newly viral Chinese TikTok video about the new PLA mod for Battlefield 2. At least that's what the video was claiming. I don't play any of these games so I don't know if what they are saying is true.
That is a screenshot from a trailer featuring an update from a video game called Squad. The Chinese players are just excited that a "milsim" (military simulation) game is finally incorporating the PLA.
It is most certainly not a photo of a live-fire exercise.
 

Aniah

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Does anyone know the context of these images? Judging from the second image, it appears the soldier is wearing a vest that is not standard issue. Also, what's that pouch/bag looking thing on his left upper leg?

52551852064_049c23a0d6_o.jpg

52551558956_fa7e12d3fb_o.jpg
Those are from the latest update on the game Squad which adds the PLA army to the game. Supposedly, they tend to try to aim for accuracy. That and most equipment are suppose to represent the 2010-2014 year wise.

Here's the video for those pictures.

 

ChongqingHotPot92

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Those are from the latest update on the game Squad which adds the PLA army to the game. Supposedly, they tend to try to aim for accuracy. That and most equipment are suppose to represent the 2010-2014 year wise.

Here's the video for those pictures.

It is a shame that the PLAGF infantry's vests still lack the crotch plates. However, it is an easy fix. They just have to stitch on the vests currently in services.
 

LawLeadsToPeace

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It is a shame that the PLAGF infantry's vests still lack the crotch plates. However, it is an easy fix. They just have to stitch on the vests currently in services.
Well, if you look at the equipment of Chinese peacekeepers in the past, they had crotch armor:
1670602014041.jpegHowever I believe they got rid of it due to speed. Based on what I heard from Afghanistan and Iraq War vets, crouch armor sucks because it limits your motion and adds more weight. In combat and rapid reaction situations, you want to move quickly since the longer you stay in one place, the higher the probability of the enemy hitting you. I guess the Chinese learned that during their peacekeeping ops because they don’t wear that anymore.
 

ChongqingHotPot92

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Well, if you look at the equipment of Chinese peacekeepers in the past, they had crotch armor:
View attachment 103194However I believe they got rid of it due to speed. Based on what I heard from Afghanistan and Iraq War vets, crouch armor sucks because it limits your motion and adds more weight. In combat and rapid reaction situations, you want to move quickly since the longer you stay in one place, the higher the probability of the enemy hitting you. I guess the Chinese learned that during their peacekeeping ops because they don’t wear that anymore.
I remember those type 07 style vests. They were somewhat similar to the US Army's vests adopted in the early 2000s, but they lacked the ability to stop rifle ammo, particularly steel core ones (say SS109 green tips). However, they were indeed effective against pistols, grenades, shell shrapnels, blast waves, etc. Not sure if we have the exact data about the new vests from 2019.

As with the crotch plates. The USMC, US Army, and the Russian military still use them, based on what I heard. However, I know many European militaries stopped using them (or never adopted them in the first place for the reason you mentioned). My only question is an awkward one. Getting wounded there could cause serious morale and mental issues for the entire company. Sorry for being gross, but just imagine seeing your comrade castrated, and with guts and feces spilling out as he spends the last minutes of his life in the worst pain possible. That's got to have an impact on your willingness to carry on the fight (either becoming more determined and radical, or simply wanting to give up).
 
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LawLeadsToPeace

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I remember those type 07 style vests. They were somewhat similar to the US Army's vests adopted in the early 2000s, but they lacked the ability to stop rifle ammo, particularly steel core ones (say SS109 green tips). However, they were indeed effective against pistols, grenades, shell shrapnels, blast waves, etc. Not sure if we have the exact data about the new vests from 2019.

As with the crotch plates. The USMC, US Army, and the Russian military still use them, based on what I heard. However, I know many European militaries stopped using them (or never adopted them in the first place for the reason you mentioned).
Yes and no. For the US, soldiers detached them to gain better mobility while the Marine’s Improved SPC’s don’t come with one. Nowadays, the Marines are getting a new plate carrier, the PC GEN. III carrier:
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And as you can tell, the groin protection isn’t there. As for Russia, here is a picture of them posing with US troops on Syria, which is a hot war zone:
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and the dudes in Ukraine:

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Clearly, everyone valued speed. Finally, the Chinese gained valuable experience in Xinjiang and their peacekeeping operations. I wouldn’t dismiss their experience.
My only question is an awkward one. Getting wounded there could cause serious morale and mental issues for the entire company. Sorry for being gross, but just imagine seeing your comrade castrated, and with guts and feces spilling out as he spends the last minutes of his life in the worst pain possible. That's got to have an impact on your willingness to carry on the fight (either becoming more determined and radical, or simply wanting to give up).
Getting wounded in general will dampen morale and weaken the squad’s ability to fight, and that is why speed is so valued. High speed gives the enemy little time to adjust their aim and allows you to position in a different location for better cover to end the threat quicker. Sure, having more armor can give you more protection, but the slow movement increases your chances of becoming a casualty.
 
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MwRYum

Major
To simply put: "being tanky" works in video games but not in real life. Should that few seconds you gained from better mobility so to get out of the immediate danger, that's the choice soldiers gladly take over having a crotch plate.

At least, in the field. If it's CQB, you may still see them get the crotch plate on.
 

Aniah

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To simply put: "being tanky" works in video games but not in real life. Should that few seconds you gained from better mobility so to get out of the immediate danger, that's the choice soldiers gladly take over having a crotch plate.

At least, in the field. If it's CQB, you may still see them get the crotch plate on.
Wasn't that the case with the US as well when flack armor was first introduced? I remember reading somewhere years ago that when flack armor was first used, many soldiers would ditch it and still go without any armor at all because it limited their mobility a lot. One example was how much harder it was to jump through windows or small entrances.
 
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