| Hełm wz. 2000 | |
|---|---|
 An up-close image of a Polish Army soldier wearing a wz. 2000 helmet | |
| Type | Combat helmet |
| Place of origin |  Poland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Poland Ukraine |
| Wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Military Institute of Armament Technology |
| Manufacturer | Resal Maskpol |
| Produced | 2000-2005 |
| No. produced | 10 000 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Size 2: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) |
TheHełm wz. 2000 is acombat helmet used by thePolish Army. It's withdrawn from Polish service in favor of thewz. 2005 helmet.
The helmet was developed byMilitary Institute of Armament Technology based on the GermanSchubert helmet. The internal equipment is based on a profiled rim with a so-called hammock. The sweatband is made of black leather (similar to thewz. 93 helmet).[1] It was attached to the supporting hoop with Velcro. The suspension bands are black. Produced in three sizes - from 1 to 3 (1 is the smallest and 3 is the largest). The ballistic resistance of the helmet is at the level of general military helmets of this type (>610 m/s). The main disadvantage of the wz. 2000 is limited compatibility with helmet-mountednight vision devices according toNATO rules.[2]
The wz. 2000 helmet can be fitted with clothhelmet covers inwz. 93 Pantera camoflauge pattern (woodland and desert version) or blue cover intended forUN forces.[3]
In addition to the basic version, a version for aeromobile forces was developed (an additional rear leather cushion was inserted inside the helmet) and an optionally mounted face shield.[4]
The main producers of helmets wereRESAL andMaskpol.
The wz. 2000 helmet was produced for a short period of about 5 years when it was replaced by thewz. 2005 helmets. It was used by Polish soldiers during the wars inIraq andAfghanistan. It was completely withdrawn from use in the Polish Army in the second decade of the 21st century.
After the warranty expired (10 years from the date of production), the helmets were directed to civilian sale in themilitary surplus. This coincided with the outbreak of theconflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014. The wz. 2000 helmets, along with the olderwz. 93 models, were bought by various pro-Ukrainian organizations and sent to fighting units.The situation repeated itself in 2022.[5]
Poland: Used byPolish Armed Forces until replaced by the wz. 2005 helmet.
Ukraine: During thewar in Donbas andrussian invasion, wz. 2000 helmets were widely purchased from military surplus in Poland and sent to fighting units..[5]
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