NIJ vs STANAG: Understanding Ballistic Ratings – Which Standard Fits Your Project?

If you’re sourcing armor steel plates, bulletproof doors, or vehicle armor panels, one of the most common questions is:
“What is the difference between NIJ and STANAG ballistic standards?”

At Hindustan Steel Corporation, we help OEMs, defense contractors, and security fabricators understand the differences between NIJ (National Institute of Justice – USA) and STANAG (NATO Standardization Agreement – Europe/NATO) ballistic rating systems.

What is NIJ Ballistic Standard?

NIJ (National Institute of Justice) is the official ballistic rating system used in the USA, mainly focused on body armor and personal protection levels.

NIJ Level	Threat Type
Level IIIA	Handguns up to .44 Magnum
Level III	Rifle threats like 7.62×51mm NATO
Level IV	Armor-piercing rifle rounds

NIJ is primarily used for:
Body Armor Plates
Ballistic Shields
Vehicle Armoring (USA-based projects)
Tactical Gear

What is STANAG Ballistic Standard?

STANAG 4569 is the NATO standard for vehicle armor and protection levels, covering both ballistic threats and blast threats.

STANAG Level	Threat Type
Level 1	Small arms fire (5.56mm, 7.62mm)
Level 2 / 3 / 4 / 5	Progressive protection from rifles to AP threats
Level 6 / 7	Heavy caliber and kinetic energy projectiles

STANAG is primarily used for:
Military Vehicles
Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs)
Riot Control Vehicles
Critical Infrastructure Defense

Summary Table: NIJ vs STANAG

Feature	NIJ	STANAG
Origin	USA	NATO / Europe
Main Use	Body armor & shields	Vehicle & infrastructure armor
Threat Levels	IIIA, III, IV	Levels 1 to 7
Testing Focus	Bullet resistance	Bullet + blast + mine resistance
Certification Labs	NIJ Certified	NATO-approved labs

Which Standard Should You Choose: NIJ or STANAG?

Choose NIJ if your project involves

Choose STANAG if your project involves

Thickness Range and Plate Options for Both Standards

Standard	Typical Plate Thickness
NIJ (Level III/IV)	6 mm to 25 mm
STANAG (Level 2–5)	6 mm to 50 mm

We supply cut-to-size plates, pre-drilled panels, and custom thickness options for both NIJ-rated and STANAG-level projects.

Standards to Fabrication (H5 to H10)

Which Standard Matches Your Ballistic Threat Level?

Threat Type	Recommended Grade
Blast & low-velocity fragment threats	MIL-12560 (RHA)
Direct rifle and AP threats	MIL-46100 (HHA)

If your project requires multi-hit protection from rifles, choose MIL-46100.
If you need blast energy absorption or structural flexibility, go for MIL-12560.

Heat Treatment and Ballistic Resistance Differences

Feature	NIJ Level III/IV Plates	STANAG Level 2–5 Plates
Heat Treatment	Quenched and Tempered	Quenched and Tempered
Ballistic Testing	Focused on single-hit threat	Multi-hit and multi-threat (AP, fragments, blast)
Certification	NIJ ballistic labs	NATO-approved labs

Fabrication & Processing Differences

Process	NIJ Plates	STANAG Plates
Welding	Possible with preheat	Strict preheat and interpass control
Bending	Possible for thinner plates	Limited for high thickness
CNC Cutting	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Drilling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

We provide fabrication-ready plates for both NIJ and STANAG buyers

Why Hindustan Steel Corporation for NIJ and STANAG Armor Plates?

• India-based manufacturer with export experience
• HIND ARMOR 500 and HSC 500T grades suitable for both standards
• Custom cut, drilled, and profiled plates
• Test support for both NIJ and STANAG levels
• Competitive pricing compared to imported brands
• Export support for USA, Europe, Middle East, and Africa

Popular Armor Grades Suitable for NIJ and STANAG Projects

• HIND ARMOR 500
• HSC 500T Tactical Grade
• MIL-DTL-46100 Equivalent
• STANAG 4569 Level 2/3/4 Armor Steel
• EN 1522 FB6 / FB7 Level Steel

Export Support for Both NIJ and STANAG Plates

We export NIJ and STANAG-equivalent armor plates to:

• USA
• Europe (Germany, Italy, France)
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

Export Packaging Includes:

• Seaworthy crates/pallets
• VCI anti-corrosion wrapping
• Grade and heat number markings
• Export documents for defense projects

How to Select Between NIJ and STANAG?

Confirm your project location and target market (US, NATO, Middle East, etc.)
Identify threat type (handgun, rifle, AP, blast)
Share thickness requirements
Provide cutting or drilling drawings if needed
Discuss testing or certification needs for project approval

How to Choose Between MIL-12560 and MIL-46100?

• Choose MIL-12560 if your focus is blast protection or structural reinforcement.
• Choose MIL-46100 if you need direct bullet and multi-hit rifle protection.
• Consider dual-layer designs for combined threats (blast + ballistic).
• Share your project drawings for grade recommendation.
• Confirm welding and fabrication capabilities at your end.

Certifications, Testing & Compliance for Both Standards

For both NIJ and STANAG armor plates, we provide:

• Mill Test Certificates (MTC)
• Hardness Test Reports
• Ballistic Compliance Declarations (on request)
• Third-Party Inspection Certificates
• Sample plates for ballistic lab testing

FAQs: NIJ vs STANAG