Ukrainian Soldiers Receive New Items of Combat Gear From Bundeswehr

Ukrainian soldiers have begun receiving new items of combat gear that are currently being issued to the Bundeswehr as part of a large-scale program to modernize the German army’s individual equipment.

As Militarnyi has learned, these items include combat pants and combat shirts manufactured by the German company Hexonia. The use of this new gear by Ukrainian troops is confirmed by photographs and comments from service members who are already using it during combat operations.

Large-scale re-equipment of the Bundeswehr

The re-equipment of Bundeswehr personnel is one of the largest modernization projects of the German Army in recent decades. It covers virtually all elements of a soldier’s individual equipment—from combat clothing and footwear to body armor, helmets, and modular backpack systems.

At the heart of the new kit is the “Kampfbekleidungssatz Streitkräfte” (KBS SK)—a modular combat clothing system that, together with the MOBAST (Modulare ballistische Schutz- und Trageausstattung) body armor system, forms the basic equipment set for a modern Bundeswehr servicemember.

In total, the personal equipment system comprises over 100 items—ranging from a field knife and sportswear to a combat jacket, body armor, combat helmet, and backpack system.

The new set is designed according to the layering principle, which allows for combining different clothing items depending on weather conditions, the season, physical exertion, and the nature of the combat mission. The KBS SK set includes combat pants, a combat shirt, a field jacket, insulating layers, a waterproof set, thermal underwear, gloves, and other pieces of equipment.

A key feature of the system is its modularity—even when wearing insulating or waterproof layers, the soldier retains full access to equipment attached to the body armor or belt gear.

Along with the new combat clothing, the Bundeswehr is receiving updated combat boots in two versions—lightweight and heavyweight. Both models are equipped with a Gore-Tex membrane, and the heavy version additionally features an antistatic sole and is designed for use in cold and wet conditions. Each service member is issued three pairs of boots—two heavy and one light.

At the same time, the replacement of personal body armor is underway. The foundation of the new MOBAST system is a modular body armor vest that allows for the addition of extra protection for the neck, shoulders, groin, and thighs, depending on the mission. Rigid ballistic plates provide protection against 7.62×51 mm bullets, while soft ballistic elements protect against shrapnel and handgun ammunition.

Service members are also receiving a new combat helmet with side rails for mounting additional equipment and a mount for night vision devices. Its design allows for the use of modern active headphones and communication devices.

Several German manufacturers are supplying the new equipment. Lindnerhof manufactures body armor and plate carriers. Schuberth produces combat helmets. Haix and Meindl supply military footwear. And Hexonia is the primary supplier of the new combat uniforms.

The modernization program is being implemented as part of the FASER (Feldausstattung Soldat/Erweiterte Reserve) project. By the end of 2028, the plan is to provide approximately 460,000 people—including about 260,000 active-duty service members and 200,000 reservists—with a modern set of personal gear. In addition, about 80,000 civilian employees of the Bundeswehr are set to receive similar helmets and body armor. Ukrainian troops are already using the new kit. As Militarnyi has found out, individual items from this kit are already being supplied to Ukrainian service members as part of Germany’s military aid. First and foremost, these include combat pants and shirts, which are already being used by Ukrainian troops.

In comments to Militarnyi, Ukrainian military personnel noted

“I’m satisfied with the uniform. It’s high-quality, comfortable, and wears well. Different bases might have issued slightly different sets, but overall, I have no complaints about the uniform,” he said.

At the same time, the soldier was critical of the Bundeswehr’s standard-issue body armor.

“Their body armor, to be honest, is nothing special. It’s ordinary infantry body armor. And we weren’t actually issued them—we mostly received uniforms and other pieces of equipment,” the soldier noted.

The introduction of new combat gear in Ukrainian units indicates an expansion of the range of German military aid. Whereas Ukrainian troops previously used mostly individual pieces of equipment from earlier generations of the Bundeswehr, they are now receiving components of the current KBS SK system, which is currently being issued to the German Army itself.

In the future, the re-equipment program will cover all categories of Bundeswehr personnel, and the new KBS SK kit is set to become the sole standard for individual equipment for German service members.