












































Microsoft Word - modif 3.docx


ISSN 2744-1741 
Defense and Security Studies  Original Research 
Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 
https://doi.org/10.37868/dss.v4.id224 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) that allows others 
to share and adapt the material for any purpose (even commercially), in any medium with an acknowledgement of the work's 
authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
 15 

 
 
Concept of the defense material system for the security of Indonesian 
national armed personnel against threats 
 
Mahyaruddin Mrp1*, Sovian Aritonang2  
1,2 The Republic of Indonesia Defense University, Faculty of Defense Technology, Motion Power Technology, Indonesia. 
 
 

*Corresponding author E-mail: mahyarudin.mrp@tp.idu.ac.id 

Received Jan. 9, 2023 
Revised Jan. 29, 2023 
Accepted Feb. 1, 2023 

Abstract 
It is essential to have materials that can support armor systems for the application 
of body armor composed of anti-ballistic material from coated fibers in trials in 
order to defend military personnel with better ballistic performance who are 
lighter against growing threats and conflicts. to support defense-related ballistics. 
New materials used in personnel protection systems are the subject of this 
discussion. As ballistic shields, fiber composite materials are currently used due 
to their light weight and high flexibility. This essay also discusses a thorough 
analysis of mechanism performance and failure. This study's goal is to advance 
knowledge about composite material body armor that is covered with a soft spall 
liner material, which can be used as a model for lightweight, affordable, and safe 
designs for military troops in times of conflict. 

© The Author 2023. 
Published by ARDA. Keywords: body armor, fiber materials, ballistic protection. 

1. Introduction  
One of the ways the development of the defense industry in the area of materials supports the Indonesian 
National Armed defense equipment's availability in preserving and maintaining the security of the territory of 
the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. One of them is the development of bullet-resistant materials, 
also known as armor, which has been widely carried out through the development of new materials, 
composition integration, heat treatment, surface coating, and the manufacture of composites made of both 
metallic and non-metallic materials[1]. In order to increase defense mobility, particularly in the technology of 
the defense sector, namely in the material section, the government has developed a policy relating to updating 
and modernizing defense and security equipment (Alpahankam), known as the Minimum Essential Force. [2]. 

The protection of protective armor parts used to protect a person, vehicle, or device from penetration risks that 
may occur from devices used for explosive or ballistic events is one highly significant material development. 
Protective armor was typically comprised of metal, ceramic sheet, or a combination of these materials. These 
materials can be made better despite generally offering decent protection. More specifically, it would be great 
to offer armor that may be lighter than conventional armor [3]. 

Developing armor that can protect against various projectile threats, such as solid particles and molten metals, 
is desirable, for example composite fiber material. Furthermore, it is better to have defensive armor that is 
made of materials that are inexpensive and simple to build. Similar to soft body armor, stiff plates that shield 
vital organs from small-arm fire can be added to body armor. Body armor has historically had to function 
against both deformable (bullets) and non-deformable (shrapnel) threats in order to meet international military 
requirements. Usually, each end user develops their own performance requirements. It may incorporate widely 
accepted (public) standards at times, either with or without the need for extra testing [4]. 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

16 

General performance tests, such as those commonly referred to as the V50 test and the V0 test, may be used to 
test soft body armor. In order to calculate the velocity (V) at which 50% (V50) or 0% (V0) of the projectile 
completely penetrates an object, it is necessary to repeatedly strike the target with the threat [5]. 

The standard polymer fiber materials that are used into the present armor protection systems for military 
vehicles against threats are the first thing we discuss in this review. The review is then divided into four 
sections, which each highlights a superior mechanical characteristic of polymer composites created for 
ballistic purposes. Epoxy-based composites have a great potential for application in military vehicle body 
armor in times of war to shield soldiers from threats as an alternative to aramid materials typically utilized in 
multi-layered armor systems (MAS) [6]. 

2. Research method  
This paper is review article which explained about the behavior of the defense material concept in protecting 
Indonesian National Armed personnel is examined in this research using a qualitative approach of literature 
review. Based on research findings relating to the subjects and ideas that were acquired from earlier 
researchers and practitioners, the discussion or analysis is conducted. One method of research is conducting a 
literature review. Comparing literatures to other research methods, they each have their unique challenges. 
Because doing a study of an issue that has to be solved in relation to the theory to be utilized, the model to be 
used, or the method to be used calls for a high level of understanding from researchers. Finding and 
determining the literature that is pertinent to the topic is one of the stages in this literature review research. 
This activity calls for a high concentration on locating data sources, particularly secondary data in the form of 
journals, articles, and books; the more sources used, the better the results. Filter the sources that have been 
acquired for use in problem-solving by performing literature screening. At this point, the literature review's 
difficulty level is at its highest since it must be able to fill in any gaps in the current theories using sources, 
analyze the benefits and drawbacks of each source, and conclude based on the discussion's findings to provide 
a solution to the problem. 

3. Results and discussion  
3.1 Conditions structure protection from threats 
Studying the development of military equipment is essential, especially in protecting soldiers from enemy 
threats while maintaining a high level of personnel mobility. This is the result of advances in weapons 
technology, particularly in the field of materials. Because the TNI must be free to move in the field, the 
performance of the necessary personal protective equipment must also be good. The Indonesian National 
Army needs to be protected from threats, so protection requirements are important. 

 
Figure 1. Concept of Threat Protection Requirements. 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

17 

Figure 1 shows the key factors that must be taken into account for protecting military vehicles from threats are 
ballistic protection, mine protection, noise levels, and the environment. When there is a threat, these 
components are in the body armor and spall liner to protect military vehicles, especially porcelain. In military 
operations and peacekeeping, military vehicles are crucial. The type and level of armor protection required for 
many military vehicles depends on the objective. Combat vehicles need to be protected from projectiles, 
shrapnel, explosive bursts, missiles, and other hazards that could endanger the lives of military personnel [7]. 

3.2 Body armor made of ballistic panel composite 
With the growth in threats and conflicts over the past few decades, there has been a lot of interest in the 
development of personal protection systems with improved ballistic performance and less weight. In this 
study, many nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes and graphene with advanced structural and 
mechanical properties, as well as their strengthening potential of armor composites, are typically used as 
polymer fibers in the manufacture of body armor [8] examined using a variety of recent studies that are listed 
in the literature. Additionally, natural fibers are incorporated into multi-layered armor systems and ballistic 
testing that support their importance in the near future. The new materials that are used in specific and 
important body armor protection systems with the goal of creating the durable and lightweight body armor of 
the future are the main subject of this brief. 

Table 1. Mechanical properties of high-performance polymeric fibers [9] 

Fiber 
Density, 

(r), 
(kg/m3 ) 

Modulus 
(E), 

(GPa) 

Specific 
strength 

(MPa/(g/cm3)) 

Strength 
(s),  

(GPa) 

Strain to 
fracture 

(e),  
(%) 

Specific 
modulus 

(MPa/(g/cm3)) 

Sonic 
velocity, 

vs, 
(m/s) 

Specific 
energy 

absorption 
capacity 
(m2 /s2) 

Nylon 6 1140 3 0,44 0,5 18–26 2,63 1622 57,017 
S2 Glass  2500 86 1,8 4,5 1,8–5,4 34,4 5865 48,600 
Cotton 1550 6–11 0,19–0,45 0,3–0,7 6–7 3,87–7,10 2663 15,806 
Silkworm Silk 
(Bombyx mori 
cocoons) 

1320 5 0,38 0,5 15 3,79 1946 28,409 

Spider silk 
(Dragline of 
Nephila) 

1320 22 0,98 1,3 40 16,67 4082 196,969 

M5 Fiber (Goal) 1700 450 5,59 9,5 2,0-2,5 264,71 16,269 69,852 
M5 Fiber 
(Conservation) 1700 300 5 8,5 2,5 176,47 13,284 62,500 

Zylon HM 1560 270 3,72 5,8 2,5 173,08 13,155 46,474 
Spectra 1000 970 120 2,65 2,57 3,5 123,71 11,122 46,365 
Dyneema sk 76 970 116 3,71 3,6 3,8 119,59 10935 70,515 
Kevlar 29 (1500 
denier) 1440 74,4 2,01 2,9 3,38 51,67 7187 34,034 

Kevlar 49 (1140 
denier) 1440 120 2,11 3,04 2,3 83,33 9128 24,277 

Kevlar 129 (840 
denier) 1440 99,1 2,25 3,24 3,25 68,82 8295 36,562 

Kevlar  KM 2 
(850 denier) 1440 73,7 2,32 3,34 3,8 51,18 7154 44,006 

T–1000 (Toray) 1820 294 3,88 7,06 2,4 161,54 12,709 46,549 
P–120 2190 827 1,02 2,24 0,2 377,63 19,432 1022 
SWCNT-a 1400 1000 9,29 13 16 714,29 26,726 742,857 
SWCNT-b 1400 1000 37,86 53 16 714,29 26,726 3,028,571 

Table 1 displays the relationship of speed and energy absorption capacity in addition to the types of materials 
punched from the mechanical properties associated with their individual strengths (toughness) [8]. There is a 
lot of potential for armored applications in the new high-performance fibers based on polypyridobisimidazole 
that also have very high specific energy absorption capacity and sonic velocity. Table 1 illustrates the specific 
strength of the material plotted against the specific stiffness in Figure 2, while the sonic velocity plotted 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

18 

against energy absorption capability (toughness) is shown in Figure 2. Due to its extremely low specific 
energy absorption capacity, ultra-high modulus carbon fiber, which has the highest strain wave velocity when 
compared to other fibers, is frequently employed in ballistic applications. 

 
Figure 2. Specific tensile strength and modulus of high performance fibers [10]. 

Figure 2 illustrates the relationship between high-performance fibers' specific tensile strength and specific 
tensile modulus when the latter is determined from bending tests and employed in structural composite 
applications. 

3.3 Spall liner for soft body armor 
Armored equipment mounted on the hull of a ground vehicle protects the soldier inside the vehicle to increase 
survivability. There are additional components that exist inside and outside the ground vehicle but do not add 
to its structural integrity. The composite used is referred to as a spall liner. 

The term "spall liner" refers to soft materials that are installed in the crew compartment of vehicles and line 
the interior surfaces of tanks, combat vehicles, and personnel carriers as a form of interior protection. These 
materials are typically made of laminated aramid fiber, glass fiber, or high density polyethylene (HDPE). The 
purpose of the spall liner is to shield the defensive personnel from being struck by fragments (spall) created 
during combat. If the armor system is "overmatched," which is the phrase used when the incoming bullet has 
more penetrating strength than the armor's stopping capability, spall liners can be added as additional security 
[6]. Figure 2 an d show in examples of a spall liner that helped save individuals who were outclassed. 

Table 2. Physical properties of glass fiber, aramid fiber, and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene 
(UHMWPE) fiber [7][10] 

Fiber Density (g/cm3) 
Young’s Modulus 

(GPa) 
Tensile strength 

(Mpa) 
UHMWPE fiber 0,97 62-132 2200-3900 

Aramid 1.44 70-112 1880-2860 
S-Glass 2.49 89 4750 
E-Glass 2.55 90 2000 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

19 

Characteristics of the Spall liner material, a molecular structure and high-performance chemical and polymer 
surfaces that is used to make body armor protection vehicles. Table 2 displayed to one of the materials that 
doesn't contain chemical components that are susceptible to attack from aggressive agents is UHMWPE, 
which has a low surface energy and is very resistant to water, humidity, most chemicals, UV radiation, and 
microorganisms. This allows it to bond with other polymers and adhere to surfaces for coating or more 
challenging painting. Performance of composite varies with threat. As a result, UHMWPE is a material that is 
very effective at reducing the threat posed by deformable bullets. For example, UHMWPE can be as little as 
half to one third the weight of aramid and glass composites and still perform comparably well in stopping 
typical deformations that an assault rifle or sniper rifle threatens to do on its own. UHMWPE often uses 20–
50% less material for the same performance in terms of fragment protection. It is difficult to predict how 
different composite materials, such metal or ceramic, will operate in a system composed of several 
components [6]. 

3.4 Vehicle spall liners 
Thermoset resins and thermoplastic resins are two types of polymer matrices that are frequently utilized in the 
military. Phenolic, epoxy, vinylester, and polyester are the four most often used thermoset resins in ballistic 
composites. Phenolic resins are frequently selected because they work well with glass and aramid fibers and 
are fire retardant, liquid and chemical resistant, stiff, and have good ballistic efficiency. Because of its 
excellent toughness, high mechanical and thermal qualities, superior water and thermal resistance, low 
shrinkage rate, and ease of fabrication, epoxy resin was chosen. Vinylesters combine outstanding mechanical 
characteristics with simplicity in fabrication [11]. 

This para-aramid fiber is five times stronger than steel and performs better in ballistic tests than nylon. 
Because they have benefits in several aspects, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers 
have started to be exploited for ballistic applications recently [12]. 

 
Figure 2. A spall liner is used on a light armored vehicle [7]. 

Below is a hypothetical armored personnel carrier with a life-saving spall liner in an overmatch. As can be 
seen, the spall liner significantly reduced the spread of fragmentation while protecting lives. 

 
Figure 3. Armor design [7]. 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

20 

Vehicle makers and armored integrators have created a variety of inventive connection techniques that enable 
soldiers to quickly install these auxiliary systems in the field with extremely basic and limited gear [6]. 
Hardness ratings and impact load resistance are related to resistance to ballistic loads. Projectile penetration 
will be more difficult the harder the material is. However, because to the projectile's high velocity of impact, 
resistance to shock loads is also necessary, necessitating considerable toughness in the material. 

A tank is an example of a ground vehicle that needs to have the type of armor used depending on the mission 
and threat environment. When operating in challenging terrain, special operations must be agile. Protection is 
thus needed from surprise attacks as well as while confronting small arms fire. 

 
Figure 4. Spall liner saves lives in overmatch in hypothetical armor personnel carrier [7]. 

From the illustration Figure 4 show is crew safety from large-caliber armor-piercing (AP) rounds, landmines, 
and rocket-propelled grenades. Special operations vehicles, for example, cannot be constructed for this level 
of protection and still be agile. Material selection is intended to handle the weight required to give protection 
from such threats. The weight or areal density of the spall liner and the material used in it all affect how far 
the cone angle can be reduced.  

As shown in Table 2. composite materials with higher performance have a lower cone spall angle while being 
lighter in weight. Utilization of the spall liner has begun to develop into a part of the overall armor system, 
which will also contain the hull (basic armor), spall liner within the vehicle, and additional armor protection 
linked to the outside of the vehicle [13]. The objective of additional armor, which is frequently high-hardness 
steel or ceramic, is to break or bend incoming projectiles, while the metal hull and composite spall coating are 
designed to catch shards [7]. 

Table 3 displays the STANAG 4569 threat level. At the bare minimum range they are anticipated to be 
encountered, the speeds shown in the table are the anticipated ammunition velocity. In terms of the capacity to 
penetrate armor, the lower threat levels are the least deadly, and this tendency grows as the threat level rises 
numerically. Occasionally, more than one threat is defined to some extent. For instance, the penetration 
capabilities of two category 3 threats are comparable. Both have 7.62 mm diameter high-penetrating tungsten 
cores, however one (B32) is significantly heavier (10.0 g vs. 8.4 g) and has a slightly slower velocity (854 m/s 
vs. 930 m/s) [5]. 

Testing the area density panels above and below the intended V50 results in the answer for threat level 4 being 
near to the ideal solution. The answer is then extrapolated using the test findings. The most current data, level 
5 testing, were conducted on panels with area densities as high as 200 kg/m2, which did not provide the 
necessary protection. As a result, extrapolation from the tested panel configurations led to the panel 
constructions proposed in the table for protection level 5. The suggested protection was extrapolated from the 
areal densities above and below it at all other levels . 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

21 

Table 3. Threat Solutions and Composite Protection Levels for STANAG 4569 [5] 

Threat Ammunition V0 (m/s) Threat type 
Panel 

construction 
V50 

(m/s) 
Area density 

required 
(kg/m2) 

5 
25 x 137 mm  
APDS-T, PMB 
073 

1258 
Auto Cannon, 
APDS 
Ammunition 

88 mm PMB 
073 composite, 
25 mm ceramic 
surface 

1258 276 

4 14,5 x 114 mm API/B32 911 
Heavy Machine 
Guns, AP 
Ammunition 

16,5 mm, 
facing ceramic 
15 mm 

911 90,5 

3 7,62 x 54R mm  B32 API 854 
Assault Rifles 
and Snipers, AP 
WC Core 

25 mm API 
composite, 
ceramic facing 

854 67,5 

2 API BZ 695 Assault Rifle 

8 mm 
composite, 8 
mm ceramic 
facing 

917 46,6 

1 7,62 x 51 mm  NATO ball 833 
Assault Rifles/ 
Ball Round 

Surfaceless 
composite 
panels 

833 48,2 

1 5,56 x 45 mm  M193 937 
Assault Rifles/ 
Ball Round 

Surfaceless 
composite 
panels 

937 38,4 

When a threat from high-hardness armor with a bullet-defeating system is present, Then add the right coating 
material. Through tests and simulation, it was established that the mechanism of the bullet in armor testing 
includes (a) asymmetrical forces that cause the projectile to deviate from the incidence trajectory, (b) core 
fracture, and (c) erosion of the nose of the core. With this technique, good agreement was demonstrated 
between the simulated and experimental base armor penetration depths and the post-ballistic deformation 
pattern of perforated plates [14]. Based on the threat level given in the table, it is clear that military vehicles' 
body armor needs to be strengthened in addition to being constructed from materials that must be appropriate 
for the type of threat and the need to produce materials in line with threats now in existence. 

4. Conclusions 
The desire for light, flexible, and robust bodies that can give better ballistic protection is growing as 
technology, particularly in the area of materials, progresses, especially in light of the increasingly deadly 
dangers that troops will be subjected to. Polymer fibers and composites have been used to create a variety of 
materials that are stiff, strong, and lightweight. Without a doubt, the development of fiber as ballistic 
protection holds significant promise for assisting and protecting Indonesian National Armed soldiers in the 
future.  

The most recent composite material to be developed for vehicle armor body materials is sandwich structure 
polymer composite material. Along with the significance of Soft Body Armor Spall Liner Composites, which 
are made of a variety of materials including UHMW PE, Aramid, S-Glass and E-Glass to composite material 
has good test results and can be employed as an armor body structure material to shield troops from dangers. 

Declaration of competing interest 

The authors declare that none of the topics discussed in this paper are the subject of any known financial or 
non-financial competing interests held by the authors. 



 DSS Vol. 4, January 2023, pp.15-22 

22 

Funding information 
No funding was received from any financial organization to conduct this research. 

References  
[1] H. Purwanto, R. Soenoko, A. Purnowidodo, and A. Suprapto, "Development of ballistic resistant 

materials as combat vehicle materials in indonesia: Review", Semin. Nas. Inov. dan Apl. Teknol. di Ind. 
2016, p. A.127-132, 2016. 

[2] Y. Saputro and C. S. Pramudyo, "5M Analysis (Man, Material, Machine, Money & Method) in the 
development of Defense Technology in Indonesia (Case study: Pt Len Industri)", no. November, pp. 
96–103, 2022. 

[3] M. Mehara, C. Goswami, S. Ranjan Kumar, G. Singh, and M. Kumar Wagdre, "Performance 
evaluation of advanced armor materials", Mater. Today Proc., vol. 47, no. xxxx, pp. 6039–6042, 2021, 
doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.611. 

[4] B. Schram, R. Orr, R. Pope, B. Hinton, and G. Norris, "Comparing the effects of different body armor 
systems on the occupational performance of police officers", Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 
15, no. 5, pp. 1–8, 2018, doi: 10.3390/ijerph15050893. 

[5] D. Fecko, D. Lyle, X. Gambert, “Composite Armor Solutions For STANAG 4569 Ballistic Protection 
Levels,” AGT, 2005. 

[6] P. V. Cavallaro, "Soft Body Armor : An Overview of Materials ,Manufacturing , Testing , and Ballistic 
Impact Dynamics Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division", NUWC-NPT Tech. Rep. 12, vol. 12, no. 
August, pp. 1–22, 2011. 

[7] A. Bhatnagar, Lightweight Ballistic Composites: Military and Law-Enforcement Applications: Second 
Edition, Woodhead Publishing, 2016. doi: 10.1016/C2014-0-03657-X. 

[8] Z. Benzait and L. Trabzon, "A review of recent research on materials used in polymer–matrix 
composites for body armor application", J. Compos. Mater., vol. 52, no. 23, pp. 3241–3263, 2018, doi: 
10.1177/0021998318764002. 

[9] Y. R. Mahajan, “In Pursuit of the Ultimate Body Armor”, pp. 1–9, 2010. Available  : 
https://studylib.net/doc/25719402/in-pursuit-of-the-ultimate-body-armor [Accesed : 29 January 2023]. 

[10] A. H. Elkarem, "a Study on Dyneema Fabric for Soft Body Armor", Int. J. Eng. Appl. Sci. Technol., 
vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 115–118, 2020, doi: 10.33564/ijeast.2020.v05i02.016. 

[11] H. Pang, L. Xu, D. X. Yan, and Z. M. Li, "Conductive polymer composites with segregated 
structures", Prog. Polym. Sci., vol. 39, no. 11, pp. 1908–1933, 2014, doi: 
10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2014.07.007. 

[12] M. R. M. Isa, "Processing and characterisation of aramid/carbon hybrid fibre reinforced polypropylene 
composites", Thesis, Faculty of Science (Department of Chemistry), University of Malaya, 2014.  

[13] M. Mardiyati, "Polymer composites as ballistic resistant materials", J. Inov. Defense and security, vol. 
1, no. 1, pp. 20–28, 2018, doi: 10.5614/jipk.2018.1.1.3. 

[14] N. Kiliç, S. Bedir, A. Erdik, B. Ekici, A. Taşdemirci, M. Güden, "Ballistic behavior of high hardness 
perforated armor plates against 7.62 mm armor piercing projectile", Mater. Des., vol. 63, pp. 427–438, 
2014, doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2014.06.030. 

 
 


