Understanding Armored Vehicle Levels: A Comprehensive Guide to Protection Standards

When it comes to protection and armoring vehicles, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Each and every different vehicle armory needs to consider the armored vehicle levels and different levels of protection from ballistics, blasts, and more. Due to these different levels and their complex needs, Victory Armoring Solutions Global (VASG) understands that it’s imperative to understand the ins and outs of standard protection levels and what your own vehicle might need in order to be fully protected and for you to drive with confidence.

What are the Armored Vehicle Levels of Protection?

Understanding what each of the armored vehicle levels means can give you a leg up in also understanding your and your vehicle’s needs. Vehicle armory is categorized into protection levels based on their ability to withstand various ballistic threats, including bullets, explosives, and shrapnel. These levels are defined by international standards and classifications that set benchmarks for materials and design against specific threats. VASG uses protection levels commonly based on European ballistic standards (EN 1063), which focus on ballistic glass and vehicle armor. These levels include B1 (lowest protection) through B7 (highest protection); however, B1 and B2 are rarely used in security vehicles. Levels B3 through B7 are as follows:

B3 Level: Protects from small-arms fire and can withstand .357 Magnum rounds or lesser threats.

B4 Level: Resistant to handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum. This level is most suitable for civilian use, especially in regions with moderate threat levels.

B5 Level: Armors against small rifle rounds, up to .357 Magnum at 5 meters. This is common in high-risk areas where rifles may be used.

B6 Level: Guards against high-powered rifles, such as 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, and is common for high-risk zones, including conflict areas and regions with organized crime

B7 Level: Resists armor-piercing ammunition, such as 7.62x51mm AP rounds. This is the highest civilian protection level and is designed for extreme-threat environments, including war zones.

National Institute of Justice Standard Levels

There are other widely recognized armored vehicle levels such as the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) levels. These levels range from levels II to IV. These standards are most frequently used in the United States and are explained below:

Level II: Protects against low-velocity handgun rounds, such as 9mm and .357 Magnum.

Level IIIA: Guards against high-velocity handgun rounds, including .44 Magnum and .357 SIG.

Level III: Resists rifle rounds, such as 7.62mm full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds used in AK-47s.

Level IV: Protects against armor-piercing rifle rounds, such as .30 caliber M2 AP (Armor-Piercing) rounds.

Customize Based on Armory Level Needs

Overall, a higher level means more protection from higher threats. However, that also means thicker and heavier materials, which in turn affect the vehicle’s mobility and fuel usage. All of this is considered during your risk assessment with VASG and the armoring process.

While standardized armored vehicle levels provide a good framework, VASG specializes in tailoring armored vehicles to meet specific operational and security needs rather than rigidly adhering to predefined levels. This adaptability ensures that clients receive vehicles that are suited to their own unique challenges, exceeding the constraints of traditional armoring classifications while maintaining safety and reliability.