A look at some protective equipment of the Vietnamese army

Today, the Chemical Corps' X61 factory has achieved full technological self-reliance in producing collective filter units, gas masks and isolating (self-contained) masks.

Protective equipment is a basic group of chemical defence equipment issued to individuals or groups to protect the body against toxic agents or to filter air contaminated with chemical, radioactive or biological agents into clean air for breathing.

In today's conditions, when the harm caused by chemical and biological weapons is a clear and present danger, the role of protective equipment in general, and respiratory protective equipment in particular, is becoming increasingly important.

In Vietnam, thanks to efforts in research and design, the chemical troops are gradually mastering the technology for manufacturing chemical defence equipment in general and respiratory protective equipment in particular. These include:

- Collective filter unit: one of the basic chemical defence products. Its main function is to filter outside air contaminated with dust, radioactive substances, toxic agents and biological agents into clean air, supplying troops working inside fixed or mobile underground structures and vehicles such as bunkers and tanks.

Collective filter units are widely used throughout the armed forces, especially in armoured, engineer and defence chemical plant units at risk of toxic exposure.

- Gas mask: the main individual chemical defence product, protecting the face and respiratory system from the effects of toxic gases and vapours.

- Isolating mask: protects the respiratory organs, eyes and facial skin against any toxic mixture in the air regardless of its concentration, and also allows work in oxygen-deficient environments such as mines, submarines or underground tunnels.

Today, the Chemical Corps' X61 factory has achieved full technological self-reliance in producing collective filter units, gas masks and isolating masks.

Besides saving the defence budget and reducing import requirements, these chemical defence products have helped improve the quality of training and education, strengthen the confidence of the troops and enhance the combat readiness of our army in all situations.

(Clip source: Vietnam Defence Channel)