Our frontline deliveries in Ukraine!
Hans Petter Grette our COO and co-founder showing a test production of our SAEFgaiter™ in one of our Ukraine productions fasilities (Foto: Watchbird)
More than 25 military and civilian frontline and emergency units in Ukraine have now received SAFEgaiter™ for testing and evaluation. The need for respiratory protection remains urgent, and we’re working to scale up with local production in Ukraine to meet this demand.
WB has just returned from another mission to Ukraine, reinforcing our long-term commitment. This includes; donation visits with Fritt Ukraina, participation in the Norwegian Ministry of Defence’s Trade Mission 5 including meeting with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon and State Secretary of Defence Marte Gerhardsen and a recent self-funded mission trip visiting Ukrainian production facilities and military and civilian units.
Each visits deepens our conviction: WB stands with Ukraine – Slava Ukraini!
Scaling protection where it’s needed most
This latest trip focused on two key efforts: laying the groundwork for SAFEgaiter™ production in Ukraine, and delivering of 1,500 new gaiters for test and evaluation to those working in the dust, smoke, and danger at the frontline.
We met professional and highly motivated Ukrainian production facilities to assess quality control, capacity, and logistics. There is a strong demand for self-producing defence related gear locally, which WB aims to stimulate by delivering a high number of gaiters developed by us as a Norwegian company, produced in Ukraine, by Ukrainians for the Ukrainians warfighters and civilian emergency units.
The deputy cheif of National Police in Kyiv and his staff(Foto: Watchbird)
The chief of Mobile Rescue Centre at SISU and his staff in Kyiv (Foto: Watchbird)
Protecting those who protect others!
We have delivered and presented SAFEgaiter™ to more than 25 military and civil units, including
The CBRN Defence Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Ukrainian National Police
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SISU)
The Mobile Rescue Centre in Kyiv
The National Guard
The Kalinouski Brigade
The GUR/Intelligence services
Various frontline charities.
The response have been both urgent and deeply grateful. From mine-clearing and drone units that have been attacked by CS/riot gas to police, firefighters, and warfighters operating in bombed areas, every units express the similar needs; protection of respiratory tracks are vital for the operational efficiency and the personnel´s health care.
Built with science and proven in combat conditions
“The SAFEgaiter wouldn’t be where it is today without the research and development support from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). The practical tests and evaluation done by the Norwegian Special Forces and the Norwegian Army units have been vital in turning innovation into used products by Norwegian and Ukrainian units.”
SAFEgaiter™ is now actively used and appreciated at the frontline in Ukraine. Feedback has been consistently strong; compact, breathable, effective in smoke, dust and hazardous environments and easy to use. WB constantly receive a great number of requests from their units, commanders and management teams, asking for SAFEgaiters to protect their personnel.
SAFEgaiter alliance edition
WB is preparing for possible launch of Ukrainian production of SAFEgaiters, as a dual-flagged version (Norwegian and Ukrainian), designed for those who need respiratory protection. Production in Ukraine is both a statement of solidarity and an important political, strategic and practical step to shorten supply lines, build local capacity and meet Norwegian and Ukrainian political demands and donation goals.
Scaling Takes Support
WB has the presence, the partnerships, and the field-tested solutions. What WB now need is funding and donation support to scale-up the production and deliveries of SAFEgaiters as the units have required. Urgent deliveries are needed to save lives and prevent long-term health-related injuries. With funding and donation backing from the Norwegian government´s Nansen program and other public and private initiative, WB can deliver a large number of SAFEgaiters quickly and efficient.
SAFEgaiter isn’t just WB’s innovation, it’s has become part of WB’s mission. A mission rooted in alliance, urgency, and responsibility. We will continue to innovate, work and seek support needed to protect those who need it most who protect others for our shared security.