Romania has been showing off its latest piece of military kit – a special bulletproof vest for women.

The new model is designed to take account of women’s different body shapes, including different bra sizes.

Romania’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) says 3,500 female soldiers in the Romanian Army could benefit from the new vest.

“This is a jacket with ballistic protection specially designed for women personnel,” said scientific research Claudiu Lazaroaie, who led the project for the MOD .

“Cups were inserted into this vest. Women look different compared to men and men’s flak jackets don’t really fit.

“Furthermore, the jacket was designed to match women’s body shape with a slightly narrower waist and slightly larger hips. The protection package is the same as for men’s jackets.”

Romanian soldier Viorica Patrichie tried the new vest on for size.

She said: “I initially tried a man’s jacket which the Romanian Ministry of Defence used as standard issue comparison.

“This one here fits better on the body even though this particular one is slightly larger than I want. But still, it’s better (than wearing a man’s jacket).”

Women have reported that men’s vests are tight around the torso, making it difficult for them to move their hands, while the waist is usually too loose.

The vest costs about 10 to 15 percent more to manufacture than the men’s standard body armour because of complications in the tailoring.