Mitznefet (Israeli military)
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| Mitznefet מִצְנֶפֶת | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Close-up of the covering worn by an infantry soldier from the Caracal Battalion, 2011 | |
| Type | Helmet cover |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1994 |
| Used by | Israel Defense Forces |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Agilite (modern version) |
The mitznefet (Hebrew: מִצְנֶפֶת) is a helmet covering used by the Israel Defense Forces since 1994. It is considerably larger than the helmet worn by infantry soldiers.[1] The main purpose of the covering is to break up what would otherwise be the distinctive outline of a helmeted human head, while also preventing light from reflecting off the wearer's helmet for a tactical advantage, making it easier to camouflage when necessary.
In the Hebrew language, the covering shares the same name as the priestly turban, which was worn by the High Priest of Israel in the Temple of Jerusalem[1] during the Second Temple period. The name originates from a Semitic root meaning to wrap.[citation needed]
The mitznefet was originally adopted by the Israeli military in the 1990s to provide tactical advantages to Israeli troops fighting Lebanese guerrillas in the South Lebanon conflict.[citation needed]
It was later configured to have a two-sided camouflage material, with one side adapted for desert environments and the other for woodland terrain.[citation needed]
In 2015, it was reported that the coverings would be supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[2]
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