Explosive Ordnance Disposal – EOD – is among the most technically demanding and highest-stakes disciplines in defence and security. The consequences of equipment failure are immediate and irreversible. Every item of EOD personal protective equipment and every tool used in a render-safe procedure must perform to a defined standard, under field conditions, without compromise.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of EOD equipment – suits, helmets, tools, and supporting systems – for procurement officers, programme managers, military units, and humanitarian organisations involved in demining and IED disposal operations. All standards references are to STANAG 2920 (NATO), IMAS 10.30 (International Mine Action Standards), and established EOD procurement frameworks.
Sarkar Tactical designs and manufactures EOD suits, demining equipment, and EOD tools in Glasgow. Our equipment is in service with military forces and humanitarian mine action organisations across 40+ countries.
What Is EOD – and How Does It Differ from Humanitarian Demining?
EOD Defined
Explosive Ordnance Disposal refers to the detection, identification, evaluation, rendering safe, recovery, and disposal of unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other explosive hazards. EOD is conducted by trained military and specialist civilian technicians.
Humanitarian Demining
Humanitarian demining – also called Mine Action – is a distinct discipline focused on the systematic clearance of landmines and UXO from areas affected by armed conflict, for the purpose of returning land to safe civilian use. It is governed by the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), maintained by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
Why the Distinction Matters for Equipment
EOD operations and humanitarian demining present different threat profiles, operational durations, and equipment requirements:
- EOD operations are often time-critical, with unpredictable IED configurations and the need for rapid deployment of tools and render-safe procedures
- Humanitarian demining is typically longer-duration, systematic survey and clearance work in post-conflict environments, where the predominant threat is anti-personnel and anti-tank mines
- EOD suits are heavier and designed for blast overpressure and fragmentation from proximity IED threats
- Demining suits prioritise mobility and sustained wearability over explosive blast protection
The Threats EOD Operators Face
Blast Overpressure
The pressure wave generated by an explosive detonation is one of the most destructive and least visible threats to EOD operators. Blast overpressure causes injuries to air-filled body cavities — lungs, eardrums, gastrointestinal tract — without any penetrating wound. This mechanism, known as primary blast injury (PBI), can be fatal or severely disabling even when no fragmentation wounds are visible.
Modern EOD suits are designed to attenuate blast overpressure transmission to the wearer through layered materials and geometry. However, no EOD suit can eliminate blast overpressure risk at contact distances.
Primary Fragmentation
Fragments from the device casing, initiation system, and explosive filler are accelerated to high velocity by the detonation. Primary fragments are irregular in shape and extremely high in velocity — capable of penetrating standard ballistic materials at close range.
Secondary Fragmentation
Secondary fragments are environmental objects — rocks, glass, metal — propelled by the blast wave. While generally lower velocity than primary fragments, they can still cause severe injury and must be accounted for in suit design.
Thermal Effects
The fireball from an explosive detonation can cause flash burns to unprotected skin. EOD suits include fire-resistant outer layers to reduce this risk.
IED-Specific Threats
Modern IEDs — particularly those encountered by coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq — introduced specific challenges: victim-operated pressure plates, command wire detonation systems, and radio-controlled firing circuits. The electronic countermeasures (ECM) environment around EOD operations must be managed in parallel with physical render-safe procedures.
EOD Suits — Structure, Standards, and Selection
The Anatomy of an EOD Suit
A complete EOD suit system comprises multiple components designed to provide overlapping protection across all body regions:
- Jacket — protection of the thorax, abdomen, and upper limbs
- Trousers — protection of the lower limbs and groin
- Groin protector — dedicated protection for the femoral vessels and groin region
- Arm protectors — flexible protection for the forearms
- Helmet — blast, fragmentation, and visor system
- Footwear — EOD boots with static-dissipative and blast-resistant properties
The total system weight of a modern EOD suit ranges from approximately 25 kg to over 40 kg depending on the protection level and optional components fitted.
STANAG 2920 – The NATO Fragmentation Standard
STANAG 2920 (NATO Standardisation Agreement 2920) defines the V50 ballistic limit test for personal armour against Fragment Simulating Projectiles (FSPs). For EOD suits, the relevant FSP weights are defined in procurement specifications. A higher V50 value indicates better fragmentation resistance.
NATO EOD suit procurement specifications reference STANAG 2920 as the baseline fragmentation test requirement. Procurement documents should specify the FSP weight and the minimum V50 requirement.
IMAS 10.30 – Humanitarian Demining PPE Standard
For humanitarian mine action, the relevant standard is IMAS 10.30 — International Mine Action Standards: Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Published by UNMAS, IMAS 10.30 specifies the minimum performance requirements for PPE used in humanitarian demining operations, including:
- Minimum V50 fragmentation protection for the torso and helmet
- Minimum face protection requirements
- Flexibility and ergonomic requirements for sustained demining work
- Testing and certification requirements for mine action PPE
NGOs and national mine action authorities (NMAAs) procuring demining PPE should specify compliance with IMAS 10.30 as a minimum requirement.
Weight vs Mobility Trade-offs
Every increase in protection level in an EOD suit comes with a weight penalty — and weight has direct operational consequences. Heavier suits:
- Increase operator fatigue, reducing the duration over which safe and precise work can be conducted
- Restrict movement, increasing the physical difficulty of manipulation tasks
- Generate greater body heat, increasing the risk of heat stress in warm environments
Modern suit design seeks to optimise the protection-to-weight ratio through advanced materials (lighter aramid and UHMWPE composites) and modular designs that allow components to be removed when not required for a specific task.
EOD Helmets and Visors
What an EOD Helmet Must Achieve
An EOD helmet must do significantly more than a standard tactical ballistic helmet:
- Resist fragmentation at the V50 level specified in the suit procurement standard
- Attenuate blast overpressure transmission to the skull and brain
- Support a ballistic-rated visor protecting the face
- Integrate with the suit’s communications system
- Provide adequate ventilation to manage heat build-up during sustained operations
Visor Protection
The visor is a critical and often underspecified component of EOD head protection. Visors must resist fragmentation while maintaining sufficient optical clarity for detailed manipulative work. Visor materials are typically polycarbonate or glass-polycarbonate composites. Visors should be rated to a defined V50 fragmentation level matching or exceeding the helmet shell.
Sarkar Tactical’s EOD Helmet and Visor System
Sarkar Tactical manufactures integrated EOD helmet and visor systems as part of our complete EOD suit range. Our helmet systems are designed for compatibility with the full Sarkar EOD suit and provide integrated communications capability.
Demining PPE — Specific Considerations
The Demining Search Suit vs Full EOD Suit
Humanitarian demining typically uses a lighter search suit rather than a full EOD bomb suit. The search suit is worn during the survey and detection phase — when the operator is detecting mines but not immediately handling them. Key differences:
- Lower total weight — typically 10–20 kg versus 25–40 kg for a full EOD suit
- Greater mobility — enables the precise foot placement and physical control required for manual demining
- Front-facing protection emphasis — demining operators face the threat area with the front of their body
- IMAS 10.30 compliance as the minimum standard
The SARKAR Demining Search Suit
Sarkar Tactical’s Demining Search Suit is designed and manufactured in Glasgow to IMAS 10.30 requirements. The suit provides certified fragmentation protection to the front of the body, face, and extremities while maintaining the mobility required for manual detection tasks. The suit is in service with mine action organisations across multiple post-conflict environments.
Boots, Gloves, and Extremity Protection
Mines and IEDs frequently detonate under foot pressure. EOD and demining boots must provide protection against fragmentation from below, in addition to standard EOD blast and fragmentation resistance. Gloves for manual manipulation tasks must balance dexterity with protection — a fundamental tension in demining PPE design.
EOD Tools and Operator Equipment
Disruptor Systems
Disruptors are specialist tools that use a high-velocity water jet or other disruptant to physically disrupt the functioning components of an IED — typically the power supply, firing switch, or initiation system — without initiating detonation. Disruptors are fired remotely, with the operator at a safe standoff distance.
Sarkar Tactical manufactures a range of disruptor systems including the Mamba, Viper, and Vulkan series, designed for use against different IED configurations and in different access environments.
Metal Detectors and Detection Equipment
Manual metal detectors (such as the Vallon VMH3CS or equivalent) are the primary detection tool for manual demining. Explosive trace detection (ETD) equipment is increasingly used in EOD and police search operations. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is used for specialist survey tasks.
Firing Cable Reels and Initiation Systems
For controlled demolition of EOD tasks, firing cable reels, exploder units, and detonators are required. These items are tightly controlled under the Explosives Regulations 2014 and equivalent national legislation and must be procured through licensed channels.
EOD Tool Kits
A standard EOD tool kit contains items for manual approach and manipulation of IED components: hook and line sets, mirrors, probes, and specialist hand tools. Tool kit contents are specified in standard operating procedures (SOPs) and vary by national EOD doctrine.
How to Specify EOD Equipment for a Programme or Contract
Start with a Threat and Terrain Assessment
EOD and demining equipment must be specified for the specific threat environment. Anti-personnel blast mines require different protection and tool specifications than anti-tank mines or command-wire IEDs. The terrain (desert, jungle, urban) affects mobility requirements and environmental resistance specifications.
Standards Compliance
Procurement documents should specify the required standards compliance explicitly:
- STANAG 2920 — specify the FSP weight and minimum V50 value
- IMAS 10.30 — for humanitarian demining PPE
- National standards — some programmes require compliance with national standards in addition to NATO/IMAS
Working with a Manufacturer vs a Distributor
For EOD equipment — where the consequences of equipment failure are severe — working directly with the manufacturer provides significant advantages:
- Access to engineering expertise for bespoke requirements
- Traceable production and quality records
- Direct accountability for certification and testing
- Faster response to in-service issues
Sarkar Tactical’s Approach to Programme Supply
Sarkar Tactical works directly with military forces, government agencies, and humanitarian organisations to develop EOD and demining equipment programmes. We manufacture in Glasgow, maintain full production quality records, and provide ongoing technical support for equipment in service. Contact our team to discuss programme requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an EOD technician wear?
A complete EOD suit system: jacket, trousers, groin protector, arm protectors, helmet with visor, and EOD boots. Total weight ranges from 25–40+ kg depending on the specification.
What is the difference between a bomb suit and a demining suit?
A bomb suit is a full EOD suit designed for close-proximity render-safe procedures against IEDs — heavier, higher protection. A demining suit is a lighter garment designed for sustained manual detection and clearance operations in mine-contaminated areas.
What is IMAS 10.30?
IMAS 10.30 is the International Mine Action Standard governing PPE for humanitarian demining operations. It is published by the UN Mine Action Service and specifies minimum fragmentation protection, test methods, and certification requirements for demining suits and helmets.
Specifying the Right EOD Equipment
EOD equipment is life-critical. The specification process must begin with a rigorous threat and terrain assessment, reference the correct standards (STANAG 2920 for NATO contexts, IMAS 10.30 for humanitarian mine action), and involve a manufacturer with direct accountability for certification and production quality.
Sarkar Tactical manufactures EOD suits, demining equipment, and disruptor systems in Glasgow. Contact our team to discuss procurement requirements for your programme.
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