Galvion receives Batlskin Caiman order for another 29,000 helmets, from the Canadian DND, through NSPA
Press Release + Noah Note
Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a new order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. This latest order for an additional 29,000 helmets with two (2) helmet covers each, has been placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract.
Galvion was awarded the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers. In July 2024, the DND exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, all successfully delivered.
In July 2025 Galvion announced a third follow-on order, with delivery planned for early 2026. In total, the DICE contract orders total 15,000 helmets and over 30,000 covers. This latest order, for a further 29,000 this time through NPSA and outside of the original DICE programme contract, takes the total Caiman helmet systems ordered by the Canadian DND to over 44,000 helmets and over 100,000 covers.
Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback and now fielded in the hundreds of thousands across multiple NATO countries, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system delivers unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. For this most recent NSPA order, Galvion will be supplying the DND with its NATO Caiman® helmet system, which features updated and robust rails, a breakaway harness and the latest improved version of its best-in-class APEX liner system.
Ms Danielli, General and Cooperative Services Programme Manager, emphasized: “NSPA is proud to support the Canadian Armed Forces in delivering critical protective equipment to their troops. This procurement demonstrates the strength of our COMMIT partnership in providing nations with reliable and cost-effective solutions. Through the web-based platform of the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE), NSPA accelerates procurement by consolidating national requirements and leveraging long-term framework contracts, enabling nations to translate urgent operational needs into timely, mission-relevant capabilities.”
Jonathan Blanshay, Executive Chairman at Galvion said: “We are exceedingly proud to receive yet another significant order from the Canadian DND taking the total to over 44,000 helmets in a four-year period, this time through the NSPA framework contract. Repeat orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “We continue to see significant increases in demand across all of our head system platforms, with the Caiman helmet seeing far and wide adoption beyond the SOF community, as evidenced by the continued receipt of orders from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract. For the Canadian DND to have adopted the NSPA model makes it very clear that the NSPA procurement route delivers advantages to NATO members on both sides of the Atlantic. Caiman, through NSPA, has now become the global head system of choice.”
About Galvion:
Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission-critical head solutions, intelligent power and data management systems, and advanced integrated soldier systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. A foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion drives continued product and technology evolution beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active, integrated systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield.
Privately owned with accredited facilities in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts in the US, Montreal in Canada, Bristol in the UK, and Gdańsk in Poland, Galvion’s team of 450+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
Noah Note: The Batlskin helmets have received some mixed reviews from people I know. Most who have gotten their hands on them seem to like them overall, a few dislike. I have never tried one on myself, so I can't say. However, this is still a significant order that shouldn't be understated.
The Batlskin was originally procured under DICE, however a lot of the DICE gear is slowly moving to being procured for the wider army. DICE sort of serves as the trialing and testing ground here, allowing the army space to trial and gain hands-on time with gear before rolling it out further.
Should always note that DICE is seperate from SOCEM at an official level, though they usually end up in this scenario of DICE trialing, SOCEM procuring the same or similar down the road. Some people are still confused by that separation.
LEEEEETTTSSSSS GOOOOOOOOOO