Ballistic shield

A ballistic shield or tactical shield is a handheld shield that is capable of defending the user from handguns, shotguns and submachine guns. Less common are heavier and thicker rifle-protection shields that are mounted on wheels for ease of mobility. Ballistic shields have been used by law enforcement throughout the twentieth century.

Usage[]

Soviet military[]

In Tselinoyarsk, 1964, the attack teams of both KGB and the Spetsnaz were equipped with ballistic shields. Rectangular in shape and possessing a thin eye slot hole for vision, they provided ballistic protection during approaches towards potentially armed individuals.

Warning: The following information is from outside Hideo Kojima's core "Metal Gear Saga." Its canonicity within the continuity is disputed, therefore reader discretion is advised.^[?]

In 1970, former Red Army soldiers utilized the same shield design during the San Hieronymo Incident, along with their FOX allies. Rebel forces under Naked Snake's command also stole some of these shields for their own use, from a local research lab.

Non-"Metal Gear Saga" information ends here.

Mercenaries[]

The CIA mercenary group Peace Sentinel utilized ballistic shields for their operations in Costa Rica, during the 1970s. In 1974, the Militaires Sans Frontières procured Peace Sentinel specifications for the shield and later manufactured their own, eventually modifying them to improve durability.

During the 1980s, Venom Snake used ballistic shields during his operations as the leader of the Diamond Dogs PMC.

In the late 2000s, ballistic shields were employed by the Gurlukovich Mercenaries during both the Tanker and Big Shell Incidents. They were made from a transparent plastic and would shatter from enough small arms fire.

Warning: The following information is from outside Hideo Kojima's core "Metal Gear Saga." Its canonicity within the continuity is disputed, therefore reader discretion is advised.^[?]

In the late 2010s, various cyborg contractors to both Desperado Enforcement LLC. and World Marshal Inc. carried heavily armored shields.

Non-"Metal Gear Saga" information ends here.

Behind the scenes[]

Ballistic shields first appeared in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and are used by the Gurlukovich Mercenaries' attack teams when deployed during the alert phase. They have appeared in most Metal Gear games since then, including the remake of Metal Gear Solid, The Twin Snakes, in which Genome Soldier attack teams use them.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops[]

In Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, the Shield item becomes usable by the player, and can be located at the Research Lab.

"A shield made of bulletproof armor.
Protects against a variety of bullets, explosive blasts, and flying fragments."

―Shield description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Metal Gear Online[]

The Shield item could be obtained in Metal Gear Online with no restrictions. It cost 0 Drebin Points.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker[]

In Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, design specs for the Ballistic Shield item can be obtained in Selva de la Leche during Main Ops, which can be improved to make the shield more durable. More design specs can be obtained at the heliport at the U.S. Missile Base during Extra Ops, which allow colored shields to be developed, such as red, blue, green, yellow, and eventually black.

In the fourth gameplay trailer for Peace Walker, as well as the demo, some of the Peace Sentinel forces can be seen using ballistic shields.

"Shield made from bulletproof material. (Rank 1) Press the Aim Button to use. The direction protected varies according to weapon equipped. (Rank 2-5) Modified to improve durability."

―Ballistic Shield description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain[]

Ballistic Shields were confirmed in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain upon the announcement of the DLC included in Day One and Collector's editions of the game. It has been confirmed that Ballistic Shields will come in various color designs, including Olive Drab, Silver, White, and Gold.

"PB SHIELD (OD)
Personal Ballistic Shield [Olive Drab]
Olive drab, man-portable defensive equipment that combines metal plating and an aramid weave to be exceptionally bulletproof. Carried on the back, it can be raised using the [L2] Button (only secondary weapons can be used while shield is raised.)"

―Personal Ballistic Shield (Olive Drab) description in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

"PB SHIELD (SIL)
Personal Ballistic Shield [Silver]
Silver-painted, man-portable defensive equipment that combines metal plating and an aramid weave to be exceptionally bulletproof. Carried on the back, it can be raised using the [L2] Button (only secondary weapons can be used while shield is raised.)"

―Personal Ballistic Shield (Silver) description in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

"PB SHIELD (WHT)
Personal Ballistic Shield [White]
White-painted, man-portable defensive equipment that combines metal plating and an aramid weave to be exceptionally bulletproof. Carried on the back, it can be raised using the [L2] Button (only secondary weapons can be used while shield is raised.)"

―Personal Ballistic Shield (White) description in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

"PB SHIELD (GLD)
Personal Ballistic Shield [Gold]
Gold-painted, man-portable defensive equipment that combines metal plating and an aramid weave to be exceptionally bulletproof. Carried on the back, it can be raised using the [L2] Button (only secondary weapons can be used while shield is raised.)"

―Personal Ballistic Shield (Gold) description in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Ballistic shield

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