Ukrainian Company Develops Thermal Imaging-Resistant Poncho for Soldiers

Ukrainian defense company STG Defence has presented a new camouflage poncho designed to shield soldiers from detection by thermal imaging and night vision devices.

The system was presented at the Brave1 Connect defense technology event.

STG Defence shared with Militarnyi that the project emerged after studying international analogs, which typically cost upwards of $2,000 — a price point considered too high for large-scale use by Ukrainian forces.

In response, STG Defence developed its own solution in partnership with Ukraine’s Central Directorate for the Development and Support of Material Support. The result is a cost-effective poncho that combines innovative materials and manufacturing technologies.

The core of the design is a metallized nylon fabric embedded with silver crystals, which provides both thermal regulation and protection from thermal imaging surveillance.

The material can either retain body heat or disperse it through designated zones, while also reflecting infrared radiation, making the soldier’s outline less visible on night vision systems.

This dual-function system — thermal regulation and IR reflection — significantly reduces the wearer’s visibility to modern surveillance tools.

Field tests are currently underway, and the poncho has already received positive technical feedback. STG Defence expects approval from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense for wider deployment.

The company emphasized that the poncho’s effectiveness depends on proper usage, including considerations of weather and seasonal conditions.

Last year, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced its support for the development of anti-thermal vision capes, with requirements including flexible, weather-resistant materials that retain camouflage effectiveness in various terrain and lighting conditions.