Sioen Ballistics TG2 Tacticum Gen 2 Vest, NIJ IIIA

The Sioen TG2 Vest, short for Tacticum Gen 2, is a new version of its popular predecessor with enhancements based on user feedback. It's a highly modular and configurable design that can be upgraded with added protection and SAPI-style rifle threat plates if necessary. The TG2 Vest offers good NIJ IIIA ballistic coverage for protection against shrapnel and pistol calibers. Additional neck, bicep, groin, and thigh protection can be added according to the mission risk profile.

Most of the exterior is covered by PALS webbing for compatibility with e.g. MOLLE pouches. Loop surfaces cover the upper chest and shoulders, and the back features a drag handle. The front and rear parts have large triple grommets at the bottom for moisture management, but it's not uncommon to see a TQ laced to them for rapid access.

Weight: 3.8 kg / 8.36 lbs (Medium).

Wearing and fitting

The previous two-sided closure at the sides is now a simpler lift-the-lid as seen on many plate carriers. This makes donning the vest easier and allows for a greater range of immediate changes to handle variations in clothing thickness. Coarse adjustments are made on the backside with a similar simplified system; weaving a drawcord thru numerous loops is no longer required. The rear part has its own elastic cummerbund, as before.

This vest is compatible with the Särmä TST PC18 Elastic Cummerbund and Elastic Mag Pouch Cummerbund!

The height adjustment slash attachment of the shoulders is also streamlined: no more buckles to clip, just a tab of hook-and-loops that you set to a suitable spot and secure with another layer of the sandwich construction. This is obviously not a vest for missions that require carrying a heavy rucksack, but any backpack is better off with fewer things going on at the shoulders.

Two pairs of thick padding bars and two panels are included for you to attach to the inside where you prefer. The cushioning has 3D mesh for moisture management, and the thick bars create vertical ventilation channels to their sides for the least possible discomfort in hot climates.

All materials and components meet the strict FDF criteria for NIR reflectance.

Additional coverage and protection

The TG2 comes with soft ballistic armor panels that can be removed for thorough drying and washing the textile parts. To achieve this large coverage against rifle threats would make the vest prohibitively heavy and cumbersome, but the "mere" soft inserts are nothing to sneer at: something has gone terribly wrong if your supply & logistics or artillery is within rifle range of the enemy. The most likely threat comes from above: even small pieces of shrapnel can thin out your ranks and tie down medical resources.

The coverage can be extended as necessary with several separately available NIJ IIIA attachments. The shoulder pads have 40 mm / 1.6" rectangular rings for mounting upper arm protectors, and the bottom of the vest has similar rings for thigh protectors.

The vest can be equipped with a protective collar and an additional throat protector. Hangers for groin and butt protectors are integrated, and these can be tucked up into the vest when not in use.

Older Tacticum accessories are not officially compatible with the TG2.

If receiving rifle fire is a risk you must address, the protection level can be upgraded: The vest has front and rear plate pockets as well as two plate pockets on each side. As these are backed by soft armor, you may choose ICW plates.

The plate pockets have room for plates even bigger than the common 25 x 30 cm / 10" x 12" SAPI plate. Smaller and specially cut plates can be fixed to place with an internal fitting system. The side plates closer to the front are 15 x 15 cm / 6" x 6" the rear ones fit 9 x 16 cm / 4" x 6" plates.

NIJ 0101.04 explained

There are many standards but this one is the most common in Europe and widely used worldwide. Soft panels offer IIIA at most, from there it's hard plates.