The dissertation based on the study of works by foreign and Ukrainian researchers, archival and published documents, encyclopedic and reference publications, monographs, textbooks and manuals, popular science literature and other sources reveals the state of scientific development of the topic, the process of creating and developing of individual armor protection of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 1991–2018.
After analyzing the works on the chosen topic, the author found that there is still no comprehensive analysis of the process of creation and development of individual armor protection of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 1991–2018. This process was practically not studied during the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine.
The author revealed the process of creation and development of armor materials, as well as the basic means of individual armor protection in Ukraine in 1991–2018. Within the limits of research, the author's periodization of process of development of means of individual armor protection is offered, in particular two periods are established: the first – from 1991 to 2014 – before the beginning of anti-terrorist operation; the second – from 2014 to 2018 and ends with the completion of the anti-terrorist operation and the transition to a Joint Forces operation. Within its limits the general algorithm of process of development of bulletproof vests and helmets is developed.
The factors under the influence of which the means of individual armor protection were created and developed were determined and analyzed. These include: historical experience, financial and economic conditions and scientific and technological progress. The degree of influence of each of these factors on the development of individual armor protection and their provision to units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that participated in the anti-terrorist operation has been established. Historical experience, according to the author, is basic in the development of MIAP (means of individual armor protection), and scientific and technological progress has created a scientific basis for their development. Together, they contributed to the creation and development of individual armor in Ukraine. The financial and economic conditions that prevailed in the country on the eve of and during the anti-terrorist operation, on the contrary, slowed down this process.
The process of development of domestic means of individual armor protection in each of these periods is revealed. It is established that until 2002, individual armor in Ukraine was practically not created, but only old, still Soviet-made ones were improved. Since 2002, Ukraine has started production of bulletproof vests “Corsair” type, developed by Ltd. RPE “Temp-3000”. However, they began to be provided to the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine only after the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation. During the anti-terrorist operation were developed and mastered the production of modern bulletproof vests "Corsair" of various modifications, including "M3sm", "M3mk", "M3mp", etc. as well as helmets "Kaska-1M" types "F" and "C" and “Thor-D”. A comparison of the characteristics of the Ukrainian helmet "Helmet-1M", Russian "Mask-1R" and "Polymer Helmet", as well as the Swiss "Kevlar X-Shell" conducted. The general algorithm of the process of MIAP development within the research (by years) is developed. It is established that their tactical and technical characteristics were not inferior to the best world models.
In the dissertation the classification of means of individual armor protection is carried out and on the basis of their tactical purpose the author's definition of concepts "bulletproof vest" and "bulletproof helmet" is offered.
The importance of Ukrainian industry in the creation and development of individual armor and the role of direct research and development institutions in their development and improvement is clarified.
Trends in the development of personal armor protection within certain chronological limits are identified and recommendations for the implementation of research results in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are formulated.
