The Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) was the standard issue combat helmet of the Australian Defence Force, introduced in 2004 to replace the M91 helmet,[1] an Australian version of the American PASGT helmet, it was replaced by the Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic helmet[2] from 2015[3]
Design
The ECH is manufactured by Israeli company Rabintex, and was selected in a competition between four rival designs. It is the same shape as the U.S. MICH 2000 helmet, but is lighter in weight and has a Bundeswehr M92 helmet-style padded headband/crown pad suspension system.[4] It retains the 3-point chin strap that was used on the previous Australian M91 PASGT helmet.
The ECH has four sizes (Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large). It was also in service with the New Zealand Defence Force from 2009 to 2019.[5] Its Rabintex model number is RBH 303 AU.
Jamieson, Cpl Cameron (20 May 2004). "Head shed: New helmet into service". Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1097 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. ISSN0729-5685. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2012.