Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), a global leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for military forces, police units, law enforcement agencies, and governmental entities around the world, showing its GAL Versatile Protective Suit (VPS) at the Mock Prison Riot May 1-4 in Moundsville, WV.

In collaboration with the special operations team of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR), IWI staff showcased the suit's ability to reduce trauma by up to 95%.

Adaptable to all scenarios, the latest generation of lightweight, wearable protection system has undergone several modifications, and enabling it to withstand even more significant trauma. IWI says the GAL VPS is the most lightweight protective suit available in the market.

The GAL VPS is flexible and easy to wear. This comprehensive, three-level operational solution includes a vest and arm and leg protectors, all anti-trauma. Weighing just 4.4 kilograms at W2 and 5.9 kilograms at W4, the GAL VPS is suitable for users from small to large size. The system is also covered with an anti-abrasion material as standard, or with flame retardant material according to the customer's needs.

Together with the ultralight bullet-resistant and anti-stab vest and ultralight ballistic helmet, the GAL VPS is the most up-to-date, versatile protective suit available today, IWI says. Moreover, following a stringent testing process and crash tests, the system has achieved German standard VPAM KDIW 2004 Cubic/Wurfel.

“By changing the geometry of the GAL VPS, we have increased the level of protection it offers, decreasing the intensity of impact by 95%, to just 0.7 to 1.5 joules,” says Ronen Hamudot, executive VP of marketing and sales at SK Group. “The Mock Prison Riot event facilitates tactical training and technology deployment demonstrations, resulting in candid practitioner feedback that shapes the law enforcement and corrections industry on an international scale. During the event, the West Virginia DCR Special Operations team will illustrate the enhanced performance of the GAL VPS, with the goal of the training teams to improve their capabilities and meet challenges. We are proud of this unique collaboration, and look forward to further collaborations with law enforcement forces around the world.”

Israel Weapon Industries has been a world-leading producer of small arms for over 85 years. IWI is a member of the SK Group, which comprises companies that develop and manufacture a wide array of defense products for governmental entities, military units, police, and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

IWI’s best-known products include the Tavor and the new Tavor 7 in 7.62X51mm caliber, X95 (Micro Tavor) and Galil ACE assault rifles, the new Arad and Carmel 5.56X45mm caliber assault rifles, the Galil SniperS.A. rifle, the Dan .338 bolt action sniper rifle, the Negev light machine gun 5.56 and 7.62mm, the Uzi SMG in its latest evolution—Uzi Pro—Jericho pistols, and the new Masada striker-fired pistols. The company’s firearms are developed in close collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The weapons are the product of ongoing interaction, field tests and modifications based on combat requirements and experience. 

All IWI weapon systems comply with the most stringent military standards (MIL-STD) and ISO 9001 standards.