Kolpak-20 helmet
| Kolpak-20 | |
|---|---|
 Kolpak-20 helmet | |
| Type | Combat Helmet |
| Place of origin | Russian Federation |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022 – Current |
| Used by | Russian Federation |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | NPO SpetsMaterialov (NPO SM) [1] |
| Designed | 2022 |
| Manufacturer | NPO SM [1] |
| Produced | 2022 – 2024 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.2 kg.[2] |
The Kolpak-20 (Russian: КОЛПАК-20) is a Russian combat helmet designed by NPO SpetsMaterialov (NPO SM) that is currently used by the Russian Armed Forces. Its armor rating is listed as GOST BR2 by its manufacturer.[1]
History
The Kolpak-20 was designed and produced specifically in order to fill in the gaps of Russian military stockpile shortages in the wake of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present). The helmet has openly been described as a "half measure" and "substitute" for better ballistic helmets.[3][2]
The Kolpak-20 was mostly issued to troops mobilized in the 2022 Russian mobilization, and has been seen in use by Russian forces in nearly every major Russo-Ukrainian battle since its introduction.
Design
The Kolpak-20 is composed of a SSh-40 steel outer shell and a polyethylene inner shell. On the outer shell, there are four rivets which are used to hold the shells and the helmet's suspension together.[3] The helmet's suspension consists of 5 pads, a neck nape pad, and a plastic quick release chinstrap. The Kolpak-20's design does not allow the user to wear hearing protection, communication devices, or use night vision goggles.
The choice of using leftover WW2-era SSh-40 shells drew criticism from both Ukrainian news as well as Russian soldiers who were issued the Kolpak-20[4][5]. Mounting pressure eventually forced Russian state media to have to address concerns surrounding the Kolpak-20's ballistic capabilities.[6]
Users
Current
Former
Ukraine - Captured and worn by Ukrainian soldiers in the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)
Gallery
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Mobilized Russian troops wearing the Kolpak-20. October 1, 2022_02.jpg)
Sergey Shoigu inspecting mobilized troops wearing the Kolpak-20. October 1, 2022
References
- 1 2 3 "К-20" (in Russian). Archived from the original on October 9, 2025.
- 1 2 "Перспективный бронешлем России" (in Russian). 2024.
- 1 2 "Своевременный «эрзац». Защитный шлем «Колпак 20»" (in Russian). 2022-10-14.
- ↑ "Броня бойцов служить устала. Спецматериалам Петербурга устроили испытание фронтом" (in Russian).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Командование армии РФ выдает своим солдатам ржавые каски - ГПСУ" (in Russian).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Фейк: российским бойцам в зоне СВО выдают каски времен Второй мировой" (in Russian).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian (2023-02-06), English: Russian 2S9 Nona operating in the combat zone, retrieved 2026-08-24