NFM/Hexonia’s booth at Enforce Tac 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, was one of the biggest, showcasing the Norwegian company’s specialization in development and protection through military protective gear. In 2022, the NFM group acquired Hexonia, and so far, the acquisition has been profitable, with both companies able to use expertise from each other to foster the development of new, better body armor protection.
Recently, they announced the Thor line of body armor vests, which centers around the Modular Combat Vest System (MCVS). “It’s fully modular,” says Tor Inge Thun, Chief Product and Integration Officer, “down from no protection at all, to a full scale projection with supplementary protection. It gives you the ability to go fully protected, not only as a wide or ordinary ballistic vest system, but you can configure it down to being a load carrying vest, in low protection mode.” The Thor vest is very lightweight, with a unique kind of area coverage, the first of its kind on the market. It is easily fixable, with replacements that can be reconfigured into different uses. “You can have a front panel setup for a whole panel mission, then you can have a second panel set up for a different kind of mission and it takes you two seconds to swap between the two.”
When in use, it is possible to use the soft ballistic inserts as a cover solution in the system, wearing the vest under a uniform or jacket, then quickly reconfiguring the vest into a normal load-bearing ballistic vest.
The company also uses Omega material and a MOLLE power system to laser-cut the operating system, which makes configuring the system very easy compared to other systems. As the only existing fully modular scalable system on the market, this Thor vest is pioneering the way body armor vests are now made, reducing costs and creating a logistically powerful system.
“We created one ring, one system to rule all the functions in the military services. That’s how it is actually. So we are in the position of the one and only ring that rules all the functionalities in one system.”
This Thor line has emerged out of the NFM and Hexonia collaboration that occurred in 2022. Since then, the companies have used their different knowledge, Hexonia’s in textiles and NFMs in protection, to become “stronger together,” says Patryk Janda, R&D Poland Manager & Product Manager. Together, they have created ballistic underwear, using Hexonia’s seamless knitting technology and NFM’s focus on soft ballistics and snap reduction to keep citizens safe.
Recently, the company was asked to create a Defence operational system for the Netherlands Armed Forces and the Belgian navy, representing one of Europe’s most substantial military clothing contracts to date. The company was asked to outfit about 45,000 soldiers, with armor covering a wide range of adventures and environments. They created more than 30 items with extensive research and involvement with soldiers from the navy, army, air force, and military police, creating a “toolbox” for the Dutch army.
“The system has been designed from the ground up,” says Janda. “So every layer that we put on is designed to be covered by the layer underneath. So from the underwear to the outermost wear from your foul weather gear, the system of course is really heavy. That’s what sets the top system of course from other solutions in the world.”
Notably, the system is not limited to a single group of soldiers; it is designed for various military units, including military police, ensuring adaptability across different operational needs. Additionally, recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the system has been developed for both male and female personnel, prioritizing comfort and efficiency in all missions. Unlike conventional systems, the Defence Operational Clothing System (DOKS) is designed to operate seamlessly across diverse conditions, from jungle vessel operations to winter warfare and European climate challenges. This comprehensive approach ensures that military personnel are equipped for any situation, no matter how demanding.
When the war on Ukraine began, the company’s production in Ukraine closed down, with the opportunity to let employees transfer to Poland. In response to the growing demand for high-quality military gear across Europe, NFM significantly ramped up its operations, delivering 60,000 vests in 2022 and 2023. The company now produces a broad range of military equipment at full capacity, with facilities like Hexonia operating at maximum speed. Beyond production, NFM has also supported its Ukrainian employees by assisting them in securing housing and adjusting to their new environment in Poland. As the war continues to drive demand for military gear, NFM remains focused on meeting the increasing needs of European defense forces. “Where all the books are now, Hexonia is producing at full speed,” says Thun.
Between the merger of the two companies, the recent task from the Belgian and Dutch armies, and the work on the Thor vest system, NFM/Hexonia has had a busy past few years. They are also constantly “trying to be in the forefront of marketing and sales people and customers, constantly evolving,” and plan to soon introduce a police vest system, an improved tactical air controller, and new modular concealable vests. All in all, much can be expected in the future from one of the top body armour companies in Europe, and their continued innovation and adaptability ensure they remain a key player in the evolving defense landscape. As conflicts drive demand and military needs become more specialized, NFM/Hexonia’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and customer-focused solutions positions them for sustained growth.
