Defence packaging must protect equipment in demanding conditions. Faes translates standards and certification requirements into a custom solution. This keeps mission-critical equipment protected during transport, storage and deployment.
Summary of this article
Military equipment must never fail due to a packaging problem. Whether it involves drones, communication systems, or sensitive sensor technology — if the packaging falls short, you face operational and financial risks you simply cannot afford.
Defense packaging is a discipline in its own right. The requirements are strict, the margins narrow, and the consequences of failure severe.
Mission-critical equipment is exposed to extreme conditions: shocks, vibration, moisture, extreme temperatures, and demanding logistical routes. Standard packaging is not designed for this.
The risks of inadequate protection are real:
Packaging that does not meet the mark is not a minor inconvenience. It is an operational risk.
Defense packaging must comply with international and national standards that far exceed commercial requirements. Familiarity with these certifications is not a luxury — it is a baseline requirement.
The most relevant standards for defense packaging are:
Not every packaging supplier knows these standards inside and out. Working with a partner who applies them daily prevents costly errors and rejections.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for defense equipment. Every application places different demands on dimensions, protection level, weight, and reusability.
Common applications in the defense sector include:
Packaging must not only protect the equipment — it must also support rapid deployment in the field. That means ergonomic design, clear labeling, and logical packing configurations.
Defense organizations are increasingly challenged to operate more sustainably without sacrificing performance. Reusable packaging with a circular design offers a concrete solution to this challenge.
Packaging designed for repair, reuse, and recycling reduces total lifecycle costs and minimizes logistical waste streams. That is both operationally and financially attractive.
Defence packaging does not start with choosing a crate, case or rack. It starts with the requirements specification. This may include requirements relating to protection against shock and vibration, climatic conditions, transport methods, handling, dimensions, weight and the way compliance must be demonstrated.
Faes translates these requirements into a technical packaging concept. Our engineers assess not only the equipment that needs to be protected, but also the complete use case. How will the equipment be transported? Which components are vulnerable? How often will the packaging be used? Does the equipment need to be operational directly from the packaging? And which requirements must ultimately be supported by testing or documentation?
Where certification or validation is part of the project, Faes can also support the development of the test plan. This can define the test configuration, conditions and acceptance criteria. As a result, it is clear in advance what the packaging must withstand and on what basis the solution will be approved.
Not every defence project starts with a complete technical data set. Sometimes equipment is only available on site, or technical information cannot be shared due to confidentiality requirements. Even in those situations, the packaging still needs to fit the equipment precisely.
When packaging the vertical tail of an F-16 at Volkel Air Base, for example, technical drawings were not available. Faes therefore digitally measured the component on site and identified its vulnerable areas. Based on this information, the custom packaging was engineered and produced. The final crate was assembled around the component on location.
The way equipment is used in practice is also an important part of the design process. For an F-16 maintenance tool case, the challenge was not limited to protection during transport. The contents had to be stored compactly and clearly, be easy to clean, and allow technicians to see immediately whether the set was complete. The interior and layout therefore became an integral part of the functionality of the packaging.
This is the role Faes fulfils in defence projects: translating technical and operational requirements into packaging that not only protects equipment during transport, but also supports the way it is stored, inspected and used.
From intake and engineering through to prototyping and production, design decisions and manufacturability remain closely connected. This allows the packaging to be developed around the actual equipment and the conditions in which it needs to perform.
Michel Prins is Account Manager at Faes and a specialist in Safety & Security. Thanks to his background at the Ministry of Defense and years of experience in the sector, he advises organizations on reliable packaging solutions for critical applications. He combines practical knowledge with technical expertise to package sensitive equipment safely and efficiently.
More articles by Michel PrinsGood packaging doesn’t just happen by chance. Using a tried-and-tested approach, our specialists guide you step by step from the initial idea to the finished product.
