M15 gas mask
| M15 Protective Mask | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Gas mask |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | Late 1960s–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Yom Kippur War Gulf War 2023 Israel–Hamas war |
| Production history | |
| Designed | Late 1960s |
| Produced | Late 1960s–present |
M15 is a military gas mask developed and produced in Israel and used extensively by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Designed for protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) threats, the M15 has been issued since the late 1960s and remains one of Israel's most widely distributed respirators. It has also been exported to and adopted by several foreign militaries and police forces.
History
The M15 was developed during the late 1960s as Israel sought to modernize its protective equipment in response to regional NBC threats. Production was led by Shalon Chemical Industries, with additional manufacturing by Supergum/Impertech. Licensed or derivative versions have been produced in countries such as Iran and South Africa.
The mask became standard IDF issue for decades and was also distributed to Israeli civilians during periods of heightened threat, including the Gulf War and later national emergency preparedness campaigns.
Design
The M15 was engineered to provide durable NBC protection while maintaining comfort and visibility for extended wear.
Key design features include:
- A single 40 mm NATO/STANAG filter port
- Large cylindrical lenses for a wide field of view
- A flexible rubber facepiece designed for a broad range of facial shapes
- A five‑point adjustable head harness
- An integrated drinking system
- A voice emitter to improve speech clarity
The mask is compatible with standard NATO filters and is commonly paired with the Israeli Type 80 filter.
Filters
The standard filter used with the M15 is the Type 80 40 mm canister, produced by Shalon. It is rated for protection against a wide range of chemical, biological, and radiological agents. The M15's NATO‑standard threading allows it to accept many other 40 mm filters.
Variants
Several variants and related models exist:
- M15 (standard military model) – primary IDF issue.
- Civilian M15 variants – simplified versions distributed for civil defense.
- Foreign‑produced versions – including Iranian and South African derivatives.
Users
The M15 has been used by:
- Israeli Defense Forces
- Brazilian Army
- South African National Defence Force
- Iranian Armed Forces
- Various Indian police and paramilitary units
- Other military and law‑enforcement organizations
Operational use
The M15 has been used in military service, civil defense distribution, and NBC training exercises. Its long service life is attributed to its durability, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with widely available NATO‑standard filters.
Commercial availability
Surplus M15 masks are commonly sold internationally through military surplus retailers. Authentic models are typically manufactured by Shalon or Supergum/Impertech, and are often sold with Type 80 filters, hydration tubes, and replacement components.
See also
References
External links
- Shalon Chemical Industries – official manufacturer
- Supergum/Impertech – Israeli protective equipment manufacturer
This article "M15 gas mask" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:M15 gas mask. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
