Tactical equipment for dogs of the Armed Forces and police

Tactical equipment for a service dog of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard or the police is not one item, but a complex of several certified elements that work as a single system. The basic protective and working kit of the Ukrainian K9 includes a bulletproof vest for a dog according to DSTU 8782:2018 (class 1), a tactical harness with the MOLLE system, a tactical vest for training and patrolling, rescue and evacuation equipment (double-point leash, paw support belts, stretchers), as well as a tactical first aid kit. All Vartoviy K9 equipment is of Ukrainian manufacture, tailored to the size of a specific dog by standards, with an outer layer of Cordura 500D and Duraflex/ITW Nexus fittings. Below we analyze what the working kit of a patrol and combat dog consists of, what to pay attention to when purchasing for a unit and why ballistic protection should be chosen according to the Ukrainian standard of DSTU, and not according to foreign markings.

Patrol Dog Basic Kit

The patrol set is designed for daily service: escort, detention, work on a leash, trips to the city. It does not provide ballistic protection, but must be durable, convenient and quickly removable.

• Tactical vest based on bulletproof vest, but without ballistics: Cordura, MOLLE for picks and patches, compatibility with evacuation belts — for training and patrol.
• Tactical harness with 3D Mesh + Eva lining, 6 rows of MOLLE, Duraflex fittings and ITW Nexus half-rings up to 800 kgf, transport handle.
• Two-point leash (polyamide 25 mm, bungee shock absorber, HK-snap carbines, length 1.2-1.6 m) — for work and maintenance.
• Tactical first aid kit: turnstile, sterile bandages, occlusal sticker, compression bandage, soft muzzle, thermal blanket.

Advanced Battle Dog Kit

To work in the combat zone, ballistic protection and means of evacuation of the wounded animal are added to the patrol set. This is the most responsible part of the equipment, where saving on quality is dangerous.

• Bulletproof vest K9 with a UHMWPE ballistic panel according to DSTU 8782:2018, class 1 — stops bullets 9×18 mm PM/APS and 9×19 mm Luger, antifragile according to STANAG 2920; modular design (chest / back+sides / abdomen, optionally removable neck module).
• Hoisting straps for evacuation: 4 Eva cuffs with neoprene, quick release fasteners in 2 seconds, 3M reflector.
• Veterinary stretcher PVC 750×1250 mm with 6 reinforced handles — for transporting a wounded dog together.
• Extended first aid kit on a tactical basis — with an additional hemostatic agent and a stock of dressings.

If only signal protection and maximum visibility on the water or in the mountains are required, separately consider a SAR orange rescue harness with a 3M reflector and a 1200 kgf test load.

Ballistic protection: DSTU 8782:2018, not NIJ

The American classification NIJ (National Institute of Justice) is often featured in open sources — for example, levels NIJ II and NIJ IIIA. This is indeed an internationally known standard of ballistic protection, but it is foreign and not mandatory in Ukraine. For service equipment of Ukrainian units, the reference point is the national standard DSTU 8782:2018.

Bulletproof vest "Vartoviy K9" is certified according to DSTU 8782:2018 (1st class). The ballistic panel is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and stops the most common pistol cartridges — 9×18 mm PM/APS and 9×19 mm Luger, and also has anti-fragment protection according to the STANAG 2920 (V50) method. For comparison, the foreign level NIJ IIIA is focused on a wider list of pistol threats; our product is classified according to the Ukrainian DSTU, so it is correct to talk about "Grade 1 according to DSTU 8782:2018", and not to attribute the NIJ marking to it.

Read more about the differences in standards in the article about ballistic certificates for a dog's bulletproof vest, and about the choice of the product itself — in the guide of the bulletproof vest buyer 2026.

What to look for when purchasing for a unit

Procurement of service dog equipment requires the same approach to each unit: materials, fittings, warranty and service capability. Be guided by the following criteria.

• Ukrainian production. "Vartoviy K9" is a Ukrainian manufacturer (IE Slavinska Tetiana Yuriivna, Kyiv), without imports from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
• Certification according to DSTU. For ballistics — DSTU 8782:2018, for the rest of the equipment — appropriate materials and tested accessories (Duraflex, ITW Nexus, HK-snap carbines).
• Sewing to size. The body armor is sewn by the standards of a specific dog, and not taken from a ready-made dimensional grid — this is critical for a tight fit of the panel.
• Warranty and service. 12 months for tailoring and fittings, 3 years for ballistic panel; possible replacement of panels after damage.
• Color for the task. Tactical models — restrained colors; rescue — signal SAR-orange with reflectors.

Before ordering a bulletproof vest, be sure to take measurements according to our instructions — how to measure a dog for a bulletproof vest. This ensures a proper fit and full protection.

Warranty, Delivery & Payment

Transparency of conditions is important for service and volunteer orders. Here's how it works at Vartoviy K9:

• Warranty: 12 months for tailoring and fittings of the product, 3 years for the ballistic panel of the bulletproof vest. Details can be found on the warranty page.
• Delivery in Ukraine: free of charge by Nova Poshta (branch or courier), shipment within 1 business day. Terms and conditions can be found on the delivery page.
• Delivery abroad: according to the tariffs of operators (from ₴850), 15 EU countries and the UK, airmail.
• Payment: convenient methods are described on the payment page.

If you are purchasing equipment for a unit or volunteer initiative and have questions about equipment, please contact us or familiarize yourself with the categories of protection, tactical and medical equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What class of protection does the bulletproof vest "Vartoviy K9" have?

The body armor is certified according to the Ukrainian standard DSTU 8782:2018, class 1. The UHMWPE ballistic panel stops 9×18 mm PM/APS AND 9×19 mm Luger bullets and has anti-fragment protection according to STANAG 2920. We do not assign the NIJ marking — it is a separate foreign standard.

How does NIJ IIIA differ from DSTU 8782:2018?

NIJ is the American classification of ballistic protection, and DSTU 8782:2018 is the Ukrainian national standard. These are different testing and labelling systems. Our product is classified according to DSTU (class 1), so it is correct to focus on this indicator, and NIJ is considered only as a foreign benchmark for comparison.

What is included in the basic service dog kit?

For patrol service: tactical vest, tactical harness with MOLLE, two-point leash and tactical first aid kit. For combat missions, add body armor according to DSTU 8782:2018, paw support belts for evacuation and veterinary stretchers.

Can I order tailoring for a specific dog?

Yes. The Vartoviy K9 body armor is sewn to fit your dog's measurements, not taken from a ready-made S/M/L mesh. Before ordering, take measurements according to our instructions so that the panel sits tightly and protects fully.

Do you deliver abroad for volunteer initiatives?

Yes. In Ukraine, delivery is free of charge by Nova Poshta with dispatch within 1 business day. We send abroad by air mail according to the tariffs of operators (from ₴850) to 15 EU countries and the UK.

What is the equipment warranty?

For tailoring and fittings of the product — 12 months, for the ballistic panel of the bulletproof vest — 3 years. It is also possible to replace the panels after the defeat, which is important for units in the combat zone.

The material was prepared by the team of Vartoviy K9, a Ukrainian manufacturer of tactical and rescue equipment for service dogs. Do you have questions about the unit configuration? Call +38 (067) 465-68-64.