Arktis where are they these days?

With a media blackout that would make North Korea proud Arktis seems to have gone to ground. So what did happen to one of the UK's premier tactical equipment manufacturers?

A little back ground for those who don't know, Arktis made there name with there take on the ubiquitous chest rig that was de riguer for many of the guys tackling the IRA on OP banner. 

There seem to be two main reasons for Arktis seeming to evaporate from the UK scene. The first one is pretty self explanatory, as it hit most UK retailers and bespoke kit manufacturers. This was the change from DPM  to MTP. A great number UK kit retailers struggled to stock Multicam as it was generally only popular with SF types and sold few retailers in differing quality. 

But Arktis seems to be clawing back into the MTP market place with select bespoke items that are generally available from their ebay shop.

And as for the second reason Arktis seems to have disappeared is the business seems to be getting a lot of sales across the channel with the French military. The 1601 model assault vest became a must have item for French troops in Ivory Coast, Arktis and its equipment got a good reputation within the 2REP that its deep Reece commandos put in a tender for a bespoke chest rig. Pictures of this chest rig where hard to come by but hopefully I'll bring them to you soon.

Arktis has been at the forefront of replacing the average French soldiers poor quality issued equipment. And has won contracts from the French MOD to develop a unique arctic camouflage for its mountain infantry to use in Afghanistan. 

However despite all these good things, it has been slow to get of the mark in the MOLLE market as well as several other fields. With a lot of the guys on the ground preferring the tailorability of MOLLE platform its bizarre that a company with such a sterling reputation would found to be so lacking. 

If you compare this MOLLE belt to even a low grade manufacturer. It would be in poorer design and less suited to what the troops need. It looks rigid in construction and not well thought out in regard to adding a yoke system.

 In the future I'll be trying to get my hands on Arktis kit to review. But I hope these musings which are all of my own opinion shed a little light on what's gone on in regards to what was once one of the premier tactical companies in the UK.

Until my next post Gladius actual out.