ARMOR HOLDINGS INC
S-4, 1997-10-24
ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES
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<PAGE>
                                         
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER __, 1997
                                                  REGISTRATION NO. 333-_______

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC.
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>                                <C>  
         DELAWARE                             3842, 7381                      59-3392443
 (State or other jurisdiction        Primary Standard Industrial           (I.R.S.Employer
of incorporation or organization)    Classification Code Numbers)        Identification No.)
</TABLE>

          ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC.                    WARREN B. KANDERS
       13386 INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY       CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
         JACKSONVILLE, FL 32218                 ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC.
             (904) 741-5400                  13386 INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY
                                               JACKSONVILLE, FL 32218
                                                   (904) 741-5400

(Address, including zip code,             (Address, including zip code, and
and telephone number, including           telephone number, including area    
area code of registrant's principal       code of registrant's principal    
executive offices)                        executive offices)


                                with copies to:
                           ROBERT L. LAWRENCE, ESQ.
                              KANE KESSLER, P.C.
                          1350 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                              NEW YORK, NY 10019
                                (212) 541-6222

         APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon
as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box |X|

         If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General instruction G, check the following box. | |

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=========================================================================================================
     TITLE OF EACH                              PROPOSED            PROPOSED
       CLASS OF                                  MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM           AMOUNT OF
      SECURITIES            AMOUNT           OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE         REGISTRATION
   TO BE REGISTERED       REGISTERED          PER SHARE(1)      OFFERING PRICE(1)         FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>               <C>                 <C>                   <C>
     Common Stock,
    $.01 par value         4,000,000             $12.53            $50,120,000          $15,187.86
=========================================================================================================

(1)   Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
      pursuant to Rule 457(c), based upon the average of the high and low sale
      prices for the Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on October
      23, 1997.

         THE COMPANY HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE COMPANY SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY
DETERMINE.


<PAGE>




                             ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC.

           Cross-Reference Sheet Showing Locations in the Prospectus
                   of the Responses to the Items of Form S-4


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Form S-4
           Item Number and Caption                                  Location in Prospectus
           -----------------------                                  ----------------------
<S>  <C>                                                          <C>
A.    Information About The Transaction

1.    Forepart of the Registration Statement and
      Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus.............            Forepart of the Registration Statement;
                                                                     Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus

2.    Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
      Prospectus.........................................            Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages
                                                                     of Prospectus; Available Information;
                                                                     Incorporation by Reference; Table of
                                                                     Contents

3.    Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
      Charges and Other Information......................            Outside and Inside Front Cover Page of
                                                                     Prospectus; Prospectus Summary; Risk
                                                                     Factors; Industry Overview; Business;
                                                                     Acquisition Program; Summary Historical,
                                                                     Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data*;
                                                                     Selected Consolidated Historical,
                                                                     Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data*;
                                                                     Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
                                                                     Statements*

4.    Terms of the Transaction...........................            Not Applicable

5.    Pro Forma Financial Information....................            Prospectus Summary; Summary Historical,
                                                                     Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data*;
                                                                     Selected Consolidated Historical,
                                                                     Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data*;
                                                                     Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
                                                                     Statements*
6.    Material Contracts with the Company Being
      Acquired...........................................            Not Applicable

7.    Additional Information Required for Reoffering
      by Persons and Parties Deemed to be
      Underwriters.......................................            Selling Stockholders

8.    Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.............            Legal Matters; Experts

9.    Disclosure of Commission Position on
      Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities.....            Not Applicable




<PAGE>

               Form S-4
           Item Number and Caption                                        Location in Prospectus
           -----------------------                                        ----------------------

B.         Information About The Registrant

10.        Information with Respect to S-3 Registrants........            Prospectus Summary; Available Information;
                                                                          Risk Factors; Significant Developments; Price
                                                                          Range of Common Stock and Dividend
                                                                          Policy; Management's Discussion and
                                                                          Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
                                                                          of Operations; Industry Overview; Business;
                                                                          Management; Principal Stockholders; Certain
                                                                          Transactions; Description of Capital Stock;
                                                                          Description of Certain Indebtedness; Shares
                                                                          Eligible for Future Sale; Summary Historical,
                                                                          Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data*;
                                                                          Selected Consolidated Historical,
                                                                          Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data*;
                                                                          Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
                                                                          Statements*

11.        Incorporation of Certain Information by
           Reference..........................................            Incorporation By Reference

12.        Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3
           Registrants........................................            Not Applicable

13.        Incorporation of Certain Information by
           Reference..........................................            Not Applicable

14.        Information with Respect to Registrants other
           than S-3 or S-2 Registrants........................            Not Applicable



C.         Information About The Company Being Acquired

15.        Information with Respect to S-3 Companies..........            Not Applicable

16.        Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3
           Companies..........................................            Not Applicable

17.        Information with Respect to Companies other
           than S-3 or S-2 Companies..........................            Not Applicable

D.         Voting And Management Information

18.        Information if Proxies, Consents or
           Authorizations are to be Solicited.................            Not Applicable

19.        Information if Proxies, Consents or
           Authorizations are not to be Solicited or in an                Not Applicable
           Exchange Offer.....................................
</TABLE>

*  Incorporated by reference.  See "Incorporation By Reference".


<PAGE>
   Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A 
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may 
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement 
becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or 
the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these 
securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be 
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of 
any such State. 

                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 24, 1997

                               4,000,000 SHARES

                             ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC.

                                 COMMON STOCK

         This Prospectus covers 4,000,000 shares of the common stock, $0.01
par value per share (the "Common Stock"), that may be offered and issued by
Armor Holdings, Inc., (the "Company"), from time to time in connection with
its acquisition of other businesses, properties or assets and in related
transactions. The Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange (the
"AMEX") under the symbol "ABE." On October 23, 1997 the closing sales price of
the Common Stock on the AMEX was $12 3/8 per share. See "Price Range of Common
Stock and Dividend Policy."

                  FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGES 8 TO 12.

         It is anticipated that acquisition transactions pursuant to this
Prospectus will principally be in connection with the Company's current lines
of products and services and related operations or other assets, but on
occasion, acquired businesses or assets may be dissimilar to the business of
the Company. The consideration for acquisition transactions will consist of
shares of Common Stock, and may in addition include cash, notes or other
evidences of debt, guarantees, assumption of liabilities or a combination
thereof, as determined from time to time by negotiations between the Company
and owners or controlling persons of the businesses or properties to be
acquired, subject to the approval and authorization of the Company's Board of
Directors. See "Acquisition Program."

         It is not expected that commissions will be paid by the Company,
although finders' fees may be paid from time to time in connection with
specific transactions. Any person receiving any such fees paid in Common Stock
may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
            HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
               SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
                ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                    TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
ANY SUCH STATE.


             The date of this Prospectus is _____________ __, 1997



<PAGE>



                    [INSIDE FRONT COVER PAGE OF PROSPECTUS]

THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED
HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM
THE COMPANY'S CORPORATE SECRETARY, C/O ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC., 13386
INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32218, (904) 741-5400.

                                       2

<PAGE>



                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports,
proxy statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected
and copied at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained
by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street , N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's regional offices located at 7 World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. The Commission maintains a Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. Reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding the Company may also be inspected at the offices of the AMEX, 86
Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.

         The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain
portions having been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Common Stock, reference is hereby made to such Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete,
although the material terms thereof are described in this Prospectus, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Each such statement is
qualified by such reference to such exhibits. A copy of the Registration
Statement may be inspected by anyone without charge at the Commission's
principal office in Washington D.C., at the regional offices of the Commission
located at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and through the Commission's
internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of all or any part of the
Registration Statement may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of
certain fees prescribed by the Commission.


                          INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

         The Company hereby incorporates into this Prospectus by reference the
following documents and the exhibits thereto previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act:

     1.   The Company's description of the Common Stock contained in the
          Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, (Reg. No. 1-11667)
          pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment
          or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;

     2.   Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as amended on Form 10-KSB/A-1 on April
          29, 1997, for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996;

     3.   Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 22, 1997, as amended on Form
          8-K/A-1 on June 20, 1997;

     4.   Definitive Proxy Statement dated May 27, 1997, relating to the
          annual meeting of stockholders held on June 12, 1997;

     5.   1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, filed on May 28, 1997.

                                       3

<PAGE>




     6.   Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 24, 1997, as amended on Form
          8-K/A-1 on August 11, 1997;

     7.   Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended March
          29, 1996, as amended on Form 10-QSB/A-1 filed May 15, 1997;

     8.   Financial Statements included on pages F-1 through F-82 in
          Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1, filed by the
          Company with the Commission under the Securities Act;

     9.   Summary Historical, Supplemental and Pro Forma Financial Data
          included on page 4 in Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form
          S-1, filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities
          Act;

     10.  Selected Consolidated Historical, Supplemental and Pro Forma
          Financial Data included on pages 13-14 in Registration Statement No.
          333-28879 on Form S-1, filed by the Company with the Commission
          under the Securities Act;

     11.  Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements included on
          pages 15-22 in Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1,
          filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act;
          and

     12.  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June
          28, 1997.

         In addition, all reports and other documents filed by the Company
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent
to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the date on which the transaction
is consummated shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to
be a part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and documents.

         Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein (or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified, or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

         The Company will provide, without charge, to each person who receives
a Prospectus, upon the written request of such person, a copy of any of the
aforementioned documents, and all exhibits and amendments thereto, including
the financial statements and schedules, as filed with the Commission. Written
requests for such copies should be directed to the Company's Corporate
Secretary at c/o Armor Holdings, Inc., 13386 International Parkway,
Jacksonville, Florida 32218, (904) 741-5400.

                                       4

<PAGE>




                              PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be
read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and the Consolidated
Financial Statements (including the Notes thereto) included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The historical Consolidated Financial Statements of Armor
Holdings, Inc. for the year ended December 28, 1996 and for the interim three
month period ended March 29, 1997 have been restated on a supplemental basis
to give effect to the Company's combination with DSL Group Limited ("DSL") on
April 16, 1997 in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Accordingly, such financial statements reflect the combined results of Armor
Holdings, Inc. and DSL since July 31, 1996, the effective date of the
acquisition of DSL's predecessor company by DSL. Certain other financial and
operating data contained herein are presented on a pro forma basis to give
effect to the acquisition of Gorandel Trading Limited ("GTL") on June 9, 1997,
Supercraft (Garments) Limited ("Supercraft") on April 7, 1997, and assets of
Defense Technology Corporation of America on September 30, 1996. Unless the
context otherwise requires (i) references to the Company mean Armor Holdings,
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and (ii) the information contained
herein gives effect to the transfer on June 16, 1997, of the Company's
operating assets and liabilities to a subsidiary as a result of which the
Company became a holding company. References to the Company's fiscal year mean
the 52-week fiscal year ended on the last Saturday of that calendar year
(e.g., fiscal 1996 means the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996). References
to the Company's first quarter mean the 13-week period ended on the 13th
Saturday of the first quarter of that calendar year (e.g., first quarter 1997
means the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997). References to the Company's
second quarter mean the 13-week period ended on the 13th Saturday following
the close of the first quarter of that calendar year (e.g., second quarter
1997 means the 13-week period ended June 28, 1997). This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's
actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in such
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set
forth under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.


                                  THE COMPANY

         Armor Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of security solutions to
the increasing level of security problems encountered by domestic and foreign
law enforcement personnel, governmental agencies and multi-national
corporations. The Company's solutions include a broad range of high quality
branded manufactured products, such as ballistic resistant vests and tactical
armor, bomb disposal equipment, less-than-lethal munitions and anti-riot
products marketed under brand names such as American Body Armor(TM), Defense
Technology(TM) and First Defense(R). The Company distributes its manufactured
products through its network of approximately 500 distributors or agents
worldwide. The Company also provides sophisticated security planning, advisory
and management services to multi-national corporations and governmental and
non-governmental agencies, including the provision of highly trained,
multi-lingual and experienced security personnel in violent and unstable areas
of the world such as Angola, Colombia, Russia and the Democratic Republic of
Congo (the former Zaire).

         Founded in 1969 as American Body Armor & Equipment, Inc., the Company
was until recently primarily a manufacturer of armored products. Since the
Company underwent a change of control in January 1996, the Company has pursued
a strategy of growth through acquisition of businesses and assets that
complement its existing operations. Since July 1996, the Company has acquired
or combined with five businesses in the security products and specialty
security services market including: (i) DSL, a leading provider of specialty
security services in high risk and volatile regions of the world; (ii) GTL, a
provider of specialized security services throughout Russia and Central Asia;
(iii) Supercraft, a European manufacturer of military apparel, high visibility
garments and ballistic resistant vests; (iv) assets of Defense Technology
Corporation of America, a manufacturer of less-than-lethal and anti-riot
products; and (v) assets of the NIK Public Safety Product Line, a product line
of portable narcotic

                                       5

<PAGE>



identification kits used by law enforcement agencies. In 1996, the Company, on
a pro forma basis giving effect to four of these transactions as though they
had occurred as of the beginning of such period, generated approximately $68
million in revenues. The Company continues to seek to acquire businesses that
will either expand its portfolio of products and services, strengthen its
distribution network or expand its operations internationally.

         The market for security products and services worldwide is large and
growing. Spending for police protection in the U.S. alone is estimated at $41
billion per year. The industry continues to be very fragmented, consisting of
many small manufacturers and service providers. The market is changing, driven
by the nature and perception of violent criminal activity both domestically
and internationally, as increases in gang, illegal drug and militant
activities have created more sophisticated, well-equipped and violent
criminals. These changes have created opportunities for consolidation among
providers of sophisticated products to the law enforcement and institutional
corrections markets. Internationally, greater political, economic and social
tensions and the proliferation of weapons due to deficient security and
illegal arms sales continue to fuel criminal activities in lesser-developed
nations. As the targets of many of these criminal activities, multi-national
corporations and governmental agencies operating in these volatile regions are
increasingly outsourcing their security services to reputable, experienced
private companies.

         The Company believes these trends are increasing demand for its
products and services. To capitalize on these trends, the Company is
implementing its business and growth strategies. The principal elements of the
Company's business strategy are: (i) offer a comprehensive portfolio of
solutions to security threats; (ii) promote brand development through training
and sales support; (iii) capitalize on the Company's global distribution
network; (iv) capitalize on a diversified, global and institutional service
customer base; and (v) maximize profitability and operational efficiencies.
The principal elements of the Company's growth strategy are: (i) pursue
strategic acquisitions; (ii) leverage its distribution network; (iii) leverage
its service client base; and (iv) continue global expansion.

         The Company's executive offices are located at 13386 International
Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida 32218. Its telephone number is (904) 741-5400.

                                 THE OFFERING

         This Prospectus covers 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock that may be
offered and issued by the Company from time to time in connection with its
acquisition of other businesses, properties or assets and in related
transactions. Other than the businesses or properties acquired, there will be
no proceeds to the Company from this offering. See "Acquisition Program." The
Common Stock is listed on the AMEX under the symbol "ABE."

                              ACQUISITION PROGRAM

         Since January 1996, the Company has pursued a strategy of growth
through acquisition of businesses and assets that complement its existing
businesses. The Company expects the demand for defensive security products and
services to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. The Company seeks to
capitalize on this growth through, among other things, the pursuit of
strategic acquisitions and continued global expansion.

         The Company believes that there currently exists a large pool of
attractive acquisition candidates in the manufacturing and service sectors
potentially available for purchase. The Company intends to continue to pursue
selective acquisitions to enhance its position in its current markets, to
acquire operations in new markets, to acquire operations that will broaden the
range of products and scope of services which the Company can provide and to
make its existing operating infrastructure more efficient. In seeking and
reviewing acquisition opportunities, the Company will consider, among other
things, the quality of the product or service of the acquisition candidate,
the

                                       6

<PAGE>



competitive climate, the quality of the management, the ability of the Company
to further leverage its distribution network and service client base following
an acquisition, the opportunity to improve or enhance operating results and
other factors. The Company is seeking acquisition candidates worldwide,
including areas that are not currently served or are under-served in the types
of products and services offered by the Company. The Company is identifying
these candidates and intends to continue to provide high quality branded
manufactured products and sophisticated security services.

         On occasion, the Company may make acquisitions of businesses or
assets that are dissimilar to the existing businesses of the Company if the
Company determines that such acquisition would benefit the Company.

                                 RISK FACTORS

         An investment in the shares of Common Stock offered hereby involves a
high degree of risk. For a discussion of certain risks of an investment in the
Common Stock offered hereby, see "Risk Factors" on pages 8 through 12.


                                       7

<PAGE>



                                 RISK FACTORS

Prospective purchasers of the Common Stock should consider carefully the
following risk factors relating to the offering and the business of the
Company, together with the information and financial data set forth elsewhere
in this Prospectus, prior to making an investment decision. This Prospectus
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such statements are
indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "project,"
"management believes," "the Company believes" and similar words or phrases.
Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Certain of these risks are described below.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those anticipated, estimated or projected.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FUTURE ACQUISITIONS

         A key element of the Company's growth strategy is the acquisition of
businesses and assets that will complement its current businesses. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify attractive
acquisition opportunities, obtain financing for acquisitions on satisfactory
terms or successfully acquire identified targets. In addition, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful in integrating acquired
businesses into its existing operations or that such integration will not
result in unanticipated liabilities or unforeseen operational difficulties,
which may be material, or require a disproportionate amount of management's
attention. Such acquisitions may result in the Company incurring additional
indebtedness or issuing preferred stock or additional Common Stock. There can
be no assurance that competition for acquisition opportunities in the industry
will not escalate, thereby increasing the cost to the Company of making
acquisitions or causing the Company to refrain from making further
acquisitions. In addition, the terms and conditions of the Company's credit
facility with Barnett Bank, N.A. (the "Credit Facility") impose, and the terms
and conditions of future debt instruments may impose, restrictions on the
Company that, among other things, restrict the Company's ability to make
acquisitions.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING A GROWING BUSINESS

         The Company has rapidly expanded its operations, and this growth has
placed significant demands on its management, administrative, operating and
financial resources. The continued growth of the Company's customer base, the
types of services offered and the geographic markets served can be expected to
continue to place a significant strain on the Company's resources. In
addition, personnel qualified both in the provision of the Company's security
services and the marketing of such services are difficult to identify and
hire. The Company's future performance and profitability will depend in large
part on its ability to attract and retain additional management and other key
personnel, its ability to implement successfully enhancements to its
management systems and its ability to adapt those systems, as necessary, to
respond to growth in its business. No assurance can be made that the Company
will be able to hire such qualified persons as and when required. See
"Business--Growth Strategy."

INHERENT RISKS OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS SOLD BY THE COMPANY

         The products manufactured by the Company are used in applications
where the failure of such products to perform as expected, or the failure to
use such products properly, could result in serious bodily injury or death.
These products include body armor designed to protect against ballistic and
sharp instrument penetration, and less-than-lethal and anti-riot products such
as pepper sprays, distraction devices, and flameless expulsion grenades. The
Company and DTC (as hereinafter defined), among other parties, have been named
as defendants in a product liability lawsuit claiming damages for wrongful
death resulting from the use by law enforcement officers of less-than-lethal
products sold by DTCoA (as hereinafter defined). The Company is aware of
claims, including claims

                                       8

<PAGE>



against DTCoA, of permanent physical injury and death caused by self-defense
sprays and other munitions intended to be less-than-lethal. The Company is
also aware that the U.S. Justice Department is studying the role that
self-defense pepper sprays may have had in the deaths of suspects sprayed by
law enforcement personnel. In addition, the manufacture and sale of certain
less-than-lethal products may be the subject of product liability claims in
the event that such products do not perform in the manner in which they are
intended to perform. See "--Risks of Product Liability" and
"Business--Litigation."

INHERENT RISKS OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY

         The Company provides security services through DSL. These services
are most in demand in areas of the world encountering high levels of violence,
unstable or chaotic political environments and little or no effective local
law enforcement authorities. As a result, DSL's management and employees are
often located in highly unsafe and unstable environments, such as Africa,
South America and Central Asia. Under certain circumstances, the Company
supplements its own personnel with local police or military who are not
legally under the control and supervision of the Company. This lack of direct
control may limit the Company's effectiveness without insulating the Company
from liability claims based on the actions of these personnel. In addition,
murders, kidnappings and attacks on facilities and installations are endemic
in the locations in which DSL operates. There can be no assurance that
lawsuits alleging negligence in the provision of security services and seeking
substantial amounts in damages will not be brought in the future, or that any
such lawsuit would not be successful and have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations. See
"Business--Products and Services."

RISKS OF PRODUCT LIABILITY

         The failure of the Company's products to perform as intended could
result in serious injury or death and give rise to product liability claims
against the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company's product
liability insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover the payment of any
potential claim. In addition, there can be no assurance that insurance
coverage will continue to be available or, if available, that the Company will
be able to obtain it at a reasonable cost. Any substantial uninsured loss
would have to be paid out of the assets of the Company and would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition. In addition, the
lack of product liability coverage would prohibit the Company from bidding for
orders for certain municipal customers which require such coverage. Any such
lack of coverage would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. See "Business--Litigation."

RISKS OF CONDUCTING INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

         The Company has operations and assets in many parts of Africa, South
America, South East Asia, Central Asia, the Balkans and Russia. In addition,
the Company sells its products and services in other foreign countries and is
seeking to increase its level of international business activity. Accordingly,
the Company is subject to various risks, including U.S.-imposed embargoes of
sales to specific countries, foreign import controls and foreign currency
restrictions, which may be arbitrarily imposed and enforced, exchange rate
fluctuations, expropriation of assets, war, civil uprisings and riots,
government instability and legal systems of decrees, laws, regulations,
interpretations and court decisions that are not always fully developed and
that may be retroactively or arbitrarily applied. The Company may be subject
to unanticipated income taxes, excise duties, import taxes, export taxes or
other governmental assessments. There can be no assurance that such risks will
not result in a loss of business or other unexpected costs which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of
operations. Since DSL routinely operates in areas where local government
policies regarding foreign entities and the local tax and legal regimes are
often uncertain, poorly administered and in a state of flux, it is difficult
to assure that the Company is in compliance with all relevant local laws and
taxes at any given point in time. A subsequent

                                       9

<PAGE>



determination that the Company failed to comply with relevant local laws and
taxes could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business--Products and Services."

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

         The Company is subject to federal licensing requirements with respect
to the sale in foreign countries of certain of its products. In addition, the
Company is obligated to comply with a variety of federal, state and local
regulations governing certain aspects of its operations and the workplace,
including regulations promulgated by, among others, the U.S. Departments of
Commerce, State and Transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

         The Company is subject to various federal, state and local
environmental laws, regulations and ordinances governing, among other things,
emissions to air, discharge to waters and the generation, handling, storage,
transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. The
Company uses a variety of hazardous chemicals in connection with the
manufacture of certain of its less-than-lethal products, including tear gas.
Current conditions and future events, such as changes in existing laws and
regulations, may give rise to additional compliance costs that could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations. Furthermore, if a release of hazardous substances
occurs on or from the Company's properties or any associated offsite disposal
location, or if contamination from prior activities is discovered at any of
the Company's properties, the Company may be held liable and the amount of
such liability could be material. See "Business--Environmental Matters."

         The Company, like other companies operating internationally, is
subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws which prohibit
improper payments to foreign governments and their officials by U.S. and other
business entities. DSL operates in countries known to experience endemic
corruption. The Company's extensive operations in such countries creates the
risk of an unauthorized payment by an employee or agent of the Company which
would be in violation of various laws including the Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act. Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act may result in severe
criminal penalties which could have an adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.

BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS

         Customers for the Company's products include law enforcement and
governmental agencies. Budgetary allocations for law enforcement are
dependent, in part, upon government tax revenues and budgetary constraints,
which fluctuate from time to time. Many domestic and foreign government
agencies have experienced budget deficits that have led to decreased
expenditures in certain areas. The Company's results of operations may be
subject to substantial period-to-period fluctuations as a result of these and
other factors affecting capital spending. A reduction of funding for law
enforcement could materially and adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. See "Industry
Overview--Manufactured Security Products Market."

COMPETITION

         The Company's business is highly competitive in all product and
service lines. Many of the Company's competitors have significantly greater
financial resources, larger facilities and operations and depth and experience
of personnel as well as more recognizable trademarks for products similar to
those sold by the Company. In addition, the Company's competitors may develop
or improve their products, in which event the Company's products may be
rendered obsolete or less marketable. The security services industry is
extremely competitive and highly fragmented. The Company expects that the
level of competition will increase in the future. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to continue to compete successfully. See
"Business--Competition."

                                      10

<PAGE>




INFLUENCE OF SIGNIFICANT STOCKHOLDERS

         Warren B. Kanders, in his capacity as the sole stockholder of Kanders
Florida Holdings, Inc. ("Kanders"), may be deemed to be the beneficial owner
of approximately 24.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition,
officers and directors of the Company, including Mr. Kanders, beneficially own
an aggregate of approximately 5,569,082 shares, or 33.4% of the Common Stock.
Consequently, Mr. Kanders, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company and as the sole stockholder of Kanders, together with the Company's
officers and directors, will have the ability to significantly influence the
election of the Company's directors and on the outcome of corporate actions
requiring stockholder approval, including a change in control. See "Principal
Stockholders" and "Description of Capital Stock."

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

         The Company is substantially dependent upon the personal efforts and
abilities of Warren B. Kanders, Jonathan M. Spiller, Richard T. Bistrong,
Alastair G.A. Morrison and the Hon. Richard N. Bethell. Should any of these
members of the Company's senior management be unable or unwilling to continue
in their present roles, the Company's business could be materially adversely
affected. See "Management--Directors and Executive Officers."

EFFECT OF CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS

         The Company is subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203
of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"). In general, Section 203
prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business
combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years
after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed
manner. See "Description of Capital Stock--Certain Provisions of Delaware
Law."

VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE FOR COMMON STOCK

         The market price for the Common Stock may be highly volatile. The
Company believes that a variety of factors, including announcements by the
Company or its competitors, quarterly variations in financial results, trading
volume, general market trends and other factors, could cause the market price
of the Common Stock to fluctuate substantially. Due to the relatively small
size of the Company, a large contract awarded to or lost by the Company may
have the effect of distorting the Company's overall financial results. In
addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations that are often unrelated to the operating performance of
particular companies. These market fluctuations may adversely affect the price
of the Common Stock. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."

SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         As of October 23, 1997, the Company had 16,023,740 shares of Common
Stock outstanding. Of these shares, 10,565,325 shares are freely tradable
under the Securities Act by persons who are not "affiliates" of the Company
(in general, an affiliate is any person who has a control relationship with
the Company). The remaining 5,458,415 outstanding shares of Common Stock are
deemed to be "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144, all
of which will become qualified for sale in the public market in compliance
with Rule 144.

         No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that market sales
of shares of Common Stock that are restricted securities, or the availability
of such shares for sale, will have on the market price of the Common Stock
prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock, or
the perception that such sales could

                                      11

<PAGE>



occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock
and could impair the Company's future ability to raise capital through an
offering of equity securities.

         As part of the Company's acquisition strategy, the Company
anticipates issuing additional shares of its Common Stock. To the extent that
the Company is able to execute its acquisition strategy, the number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock that will be eligible for sale in the
future is likely to increase substantially. In addition, the potential
issuance of additional shares in connection with anticipated acquisitions
could depress demand for the Common Stock and result in a lower price than
would otherwise be obtained. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."

NO DIVIDENDS

         The Company currently does not intend to pay any cash dividends on
the Common Stock. The Company currently intends to retain any earnings for
working capital, repayment of indebtedness, capital expenditures and general
corporate purposes. The Credit Facility contains restrictions on the Company's
ability to pay dividends or make other distributions. See "Price Range of
Common Stock and Dividend Policy."

FOR ALL OF THE FOREGOING REASONS AND OTHERS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. ANY PERSON
CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY SHOULD BE AWARE OF
THESE AND OTHER FACTORS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE SECURITIES SHOULD BE
PURCHASED ONLY BY PERSONS WHO CAN AFFORD A TOTAL LOSS OF THEIR INVESTMENT IN
THE COMPANY.

                                      12

<PAGE>

                           SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

         Since Kanders acquired its interest in the Company in January 1996,
the Company has pursued a strategy of growth through acquisition of businesses
and assets that complement its existing businesses. Through October 23, 1997,
the Company has consummated the five transactions discussed below, and is
continuing to pursue other acquisition opportunities. In addition, the Company
recently established a holding company structure to facilitate management of
its growth and completed a public offering of 4,000,000 primary shares of its
Common Stock.

DSL GROUP LIMITED

         On April 16, 1997, the Company combined with DSL Group Limited in a
transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests (the "DSL Transaction").
DSL is a leading provider of specialized security services in high risk and
volatile environments. DSL was formed on June 3, 1996 for the purpose of
acquiring DSL Holdings Limited ("DSL Holdings"), its predecessor corporation,
whose assets included an indirect 50% interest in Gorandel Trading Limited.
DSL's acquisition of DSL Holdings was completed on July 31, 1996. Supplemental
consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal 1996 and for first
quarter 1997 have been provided which give effect to the DSL Transaction on a
supplemental basis. In connection with the DSL Transaction, the Company issued
1,274,217 shares of Common Stock valued at the time at $10.9 million for all
of the outstanding ordinary share capital of DSL and paid $7.5 million in cash
for all of the outstanding preference shares. The Company also assumed and
subsequently repaid $6.9 million, plus interest, of DSL's outstanding credit
facility. In connection with the DSL Transaction, the Company recorded a
non-recurring charge to earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 of
approximately $2.5 million. This charge consisted of transaction costs,
principally professional fees of approximately $1.1 million, and restructuring
costs of approximately $1.4 million incurred to consolidate the administrative
and accounting functions of DSL with those of the Company at its headquarters
in Jacksonville, Florida. The historical combined net revenues of DSL and its
predecessor for 1996 were approximately $31.1 million.

GORANDEL TRADING LIMITED

         On June 9, 1997, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of Gorandel
Trading Limited that it did not previously own. GTL provides specialized
security services throughout Russia and Central Asia. The aggregate purchase
price of the transaction was approximately $2.4 million, consisting of
$570,000 in cash paid at closing, $600,000 in cash to be paid upon the 
satisfaction of certain conditions and 115,176 shares of Common Stock valued 
at the time at $1.2 million. As part of this transaction, the Company agreed 
to make a loan of $200,000 to a former stockholder of GTL, subject to certain 
conditions. GTL's net revenues for 1996 were approximately $6.4 million.

SUPERCRAFT (GARMENTS) LIMITED

         On April 7, 1997, the Company acquired Supercraft (Garments) Limited.
Supercraft is a European manufacturer of military apparel, high visibility
garments and ballistic resistant vests, which it distributes to law
enforcement and military agencies throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The Company acquired Supercraft for a total purchase price of approximately
$2.6 million consisting of (i) approximately $1.3 million in cash, subject to
adjustments, (ii) $875,000 in cash which was placed in escrow pending final
disposition of title to certain real property and (iii) certain additional
consideration in an amount not to exceed pounds sterling 250,000
(approximately $410,000) based on 1997 operating results. Supercraft's net
revenues for 1996 were approximately $5.7 million.

DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION OF AMERICA

         On September 30, 1996, a subsidiary of the Company, Defense
Technology Corporation of America, a Delaware corporation ("DTC"), acquired
substantially all of the assets (the "DTCoA Assets") of Defense

                                      13

<PAGE>



Technology Corporation of America, a Wyoming corporation ("DTCoA"). DTC
manufactures less-than-lethal and anti-riot products, including pepper sprays,
tear gas, distraction devices, flameless expulsion grenades and specialty
impact munitions, which it distributes to U.S. and foreign law enforcement
agencies and the military. The Company acquired these assets by paying DTCoA a
purchase price consisting of approximately $838,000 in cash, 270,728 shares of
Common Stock valued at the time at $2.0 million, subject to reduction under
certain circumstances, and by issuing to Key Bank of Wyoming ("Key Bank"),
which made a credit facility available to DTCoA, 358,714 shares of Common
Stock valued at the time at $2.65 million in return for Key Bank's agreement
to release its liens on the assets of DTCoA. The Company also assumed certain
specified liabilities of DTCoA. The combined net revenues of DTC and DTCoA for
1996 were approximately $8.9 million.

NIK PUBLIC SAFETY PRODUCT LINE

         Effective as of July 1, 1996, NIK Public Safety, Inc. ("NIK"), a
subsidiary of the Company, acquired the NIK Public Safety Product Line (the
"NIK Product Line"). NIK assembles and distributes portable narcotic
identification kits used for the identification of narcotic substances by law
enforcement agencies. In addition, NIK distributes the Flex-Cuf(R) restraint,
specimen collection kits, evidence collection kits and tamper guard evidence
tape. The Company acquired the NIK Product Line for a purchase price
consisting of 310,931 shares of Common Stock valued at the time at $2.4
million. NIK's net revenues for 1996 were approximately $2.2 million.

CONVERSION TO A HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE

         On June 12, 1997, at the annual meeting of stockholders, the
stockholders of the Company approved the creation of a holding company
structure for all of the Company's operations. As of June 16, 1997, the
Company transferred all of its operating assets and liabilities relating to
its American Body Armor(TM) business to a subsidiary and the Company became a
holding company. As a result, the Company owns directly or indirectly the
outstanding capital stock of its subsidiary corporations and no longer
conducts any manufacturing operations directly.

PUBLIC OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK

                  On July 25, 1997, the Company issued 4,000,000 new shares of
Common Stock at $10.125 per share through a public offering (the "Public
Offering") underwritten by Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., Equitable Securities
Corporation and Stephens Inc. After subtracting underwriting discounts and
commissions, the Company realized net proceeds of $38,070,000, portions of
which the Company has used to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness on its
Credit Facility with Barnett Bank.

                              ACQUISITION PROGRAM

         Since January 1996, the Company has pursued a strategy of growth
through acquisition of businesses and assets that complement its existing
businesses. The Company expects the demand for defensive security products and
services to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. The Company seeks to
capitalize on this growth through, among other things, the pursuit of
strategic acquisitions and continued global expansion.

         The Company believes that there currently exists a large pool of
attractive acquisition candidates in the manufacturing and service sectors
potentially available for purchase. The Company intends to continue to pursue
selective acquisitions to enhance its position in its current markets, to
acquire operations in new markets, to acquire operations that will broaden the
range of products and scope of services which the Company can provide and to
make its existing operating infrastructure more efficient. In seeking and
reviewing acquisition opportunities, the Company will consider, among other
things, the quality of the product or service of the acquisition candidate,
the competitive climate, the quality of the management, the ability of the
Company to further leverage its distribution

                                      14

<PAGE>



network and service client base following an acquisition, the opportunity to
improve or enhance operating results and other factors. The Company is seeking
acquisition candidates worldwide, including areas that are not currently
served or are under-served in the types of products and services offered by
the Company. It is identifying these candidates and intends to continue to
provide high quality branded manufactured products and sophisticated security
services. In addition, the Company may make acquisitions of businesses or
assets that are unrelated to the business of the Company if the Company
determines that such acquisition would be beneficial.

TERMS OF SPECIFIC ACQUISITIONS

         The consideration for and other terms and conditions of specific
acquisition transactions will be determined by the Company following
negotiations with the owners or controlling persons of the company, business,
interest or asset to be acquired. It is anticipated that the consideration
will consist of shares of Common Stock, and may also include cash, notes or
other evidences of debt, guarantees, assumption of liabilities or a
combination thereof, as determined from time to time by negotiations between
the Company and such owners or controlling persons, subject to the approval
and authorization of the Company's Board of Directors. It is anticipated that
shares of Common Stock issued in any such transactions will be valued at a
price reasonably related to the current market value of the Common Stock
either at the time the terms of the transaction are agreed upon or at or about
the time of closing, or during the period or periods prior to delivery of the
shares. However, shares of Common Stock may be issued at a premium over or
discount from the then current market value of the Common Stock as reflected
on the AMEX.

         Under current AMEX rules, the Company may not issue Common Stock
equal to 20% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock in connection with
any one acquisition unless such issuance is approved by stockholders holding a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock.

RESALE OF COMMON STOCK BY CERTAIN PERSONS

         The Company may agree with persons to whom it issues Common Stock in
connection with an acquisition that it will register such Common Stock for
resale under the Securities Act if the persons wish to offer and sell such
Common Stock in transactions in which they may be deemed to be underwriters
under the Securities Act. See "Selling Stockholders" for information relating
to resales pursuant to this Prospectus of Common Stock issued under the
Registration Statement.

                                      15

<PAGE>

                             SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

         This Prospectus has also been prepared for use by the persons who
will receive or have received Common Stock from the Company in connection with
acquisition transactions and who may be entitled to offer such Common Stock
under circumstances requiring the use of a Prospectus (such persons being
referred to under this caption as "Selling Stockholders"); provided, however,
that no Selling Stockholder will be authorized to use this Prospectus for any
offer of such Common Stock without first obtaining the consent of the Company.
The Company may consent to the use of this Prospectus for a limited period of
time by the Selling Stockholders and subject to limitations and conditions
which may be varied by agreement between the Company and the Selling
Stockholders. Resales of such shares may be made on the AMEX or such other
exchange on which the Company's Common Stock may be listed, or in block
transactions or private transactions or otherwise, or pursuant to underwriting
agreements or otherwise through brokers or dealers.

         Agreements with Selling Stockholders permitting use of this
Prospectus may provide that any such offering be effected in an organized
manner through securities dealers acting as a broker or dealer selected by the
Company or by Selling Stockholders, that Selling Stockholders enter into
custody agreements with one or more banks with respect to such shares, and
that sales be made only by one or more of the methods described in this
Prospectus, as approximately supplemented or amended when required. The
Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning the
Securities Act.

         When resales are to be made through a broker or dealer, it is
anticipated that a member firm of the NASD may be engaged to act as the
Selling Stockholders' agent in the sale of shares by such Selling
Stockholders. The commission paid to the member firm is anticipated to be the
normal commission (including negotiated commissions to the extent
permissible). Sales of shares by the member firm may be made on the AMEX or
such other exchange on which the Company's Common Stock may be listed or
traded from time to time, at prices related to prices then prevailing or at
negotiated prices. Any such sales may be by block trade. Any such member firm
may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act
and any commissions earned by such member firm may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

         Upon the Company being notified by a Selling Stockholder that any
material arrangement has been entered into with a broker or dealer for the
sale of shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution
or secondary distribution, a supplement to the Prospectus will be filed, if
required, pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the
name of each such Selling Stockholder and of the participating broker or
dealer, (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such
shares shall be sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions
allowed to such broker or dealer, where applicable, (v) that such broker or
dealer did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out in
this Prospectus and (vi) other facts material to the transaction.

         In lieu of making sales through use of this Prospectus, Selling
Stockholders may also make sales of the shares covered by this Prospectus
pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145(d) under the Securities Act, to the extent
that the provisions of such rules are applicable.

         Unless the transaction is subject to the provisions of Rule 145 under
the Securities Act as described below, a person who receives shares of Common
Stock may publicly resell the securities, if he or she is not an affiliate
(within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company. If
he or she is an affiliate of the Company, the resale of such securities must
generally be accomplished only with a prospectus included in a registration
statement filed under the Securities Act or under paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and
(g) of Rule 144, as described below.

                                      16

<PAGE>



         If shares of Common Stock are being sold by affiliates of the
Company, and if the transfer is part of a plan to distribute the shares of
Common Stock, such affiliates of the Company will be subject to certain resale
restrictions under Rule 145 under the Securities Act. During the two years
following the issuance of the shares of Common Stock, these affiliates may
publicly resell those securities generally only in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (c), (e), (f) and (g) of Rule 144. These paragraphs
generally require that there be available current public information about the
Company, that aggregate sales not exceed certain volume limitations and that
sales occur in unsolicited brokerage transactions. These restrictions may
significantly limit the ability of the holder of the shares of Common Stock to
resell them during the two year period. After the shares of Common Stock have
been held for two years by the holder thereof, such shares may be sold without
limitation provided that the seller is not an affiliate of the Company and
that there is available current public information about the Company.

                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

         The Common Stock has been traded on the AMEX under the symbol "ABE"
since March 18, 1996. Prior to March 18, 1996, the Common Stock was traded in
the over-the-counter market, and was listed in the bid and ask quotes of
brokers as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. (the "Bulletin
Board") under the symbol "ABOA."

         The following table sets forth the range of reported high and low bid
quotations for the Common Stock as listed on the Bulletin Board for fiscal
1995 and for the period January 1, 1996 to March 17, 1996 and the range of
high and low sales prices for the Common Stock on the AMEX for the period from
March 18, 1996 to October 23, 1997. The bid quotations represent inter-dealer
prices, and do not include mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions, and may not
necessarily represent actual transactions.
                                                HIGH                 LOW
                                                ----                 ---
1995
- ----
1st Quarter..................................  $ 1   1/4          $    3/4
2nd Quarter..................................    1                    1/16
3rd Quarter..................................      15/16               7/8
4th Quarter..................................    3   1/4            1

1996
- ----
1st Quarter (through March 17)..............   $ 5   3/4          $ 2  3/4
1st Quarter (from March 18)..................    5   1/2            5 1/16
2nd Quarter..................................    9                  5  1/8
3rd Quarter..................................    7   7/8            6
4th Quarter..................................    8                  6  1/2

1997
- ----
1st Quarter..................................  $ 9   1/2          $ 7  1/2
2nd Quarter..................................   10   7/8            8  3/4
3rd Quarter .................................   12   3/4           10  1/2
4th Quarter (through October 23).............   13   3/8           12  3/8


         On October 23, 1997, the last reported sales price of the Common
Stock on the AMEX was $12 3/8 per share. As of October 23, 1997, the Company
had approximately 1,871 stockholders of record.

         The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock for
the last three fiscal years, and does not intend to pay any cash dividends on
the Common Stock for the foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to
retain any earnings for working capital, repayment of indebtedness, capital
expenditures and general corporate purposes. In addition, except under certain
conditions, the Company is precluded from paying dividends on its Common Stock
pursuant to the Credit Facility. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness" and
Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      17

<PAGE>



                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


         The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
"Selected Consolidated Historical and Supplemental Financial Data," "Unaudited
Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements," the Consolidated Financial
Statements and the Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements and the
Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such statements are indicated by
words or phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "management
believes," "the Company believes" and similar words or phrases. Such
statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or
projected.

GENERAL

         Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements. On April 16, 1997,
the Company consummated the DSL Transaction. Pursuant to the DSL Transaction,
the Company, among other things, issued 1,274,217 shares of Common Stock in
exchange for all the outstanding ordinary and deferred share capital of DSL,
and Armor Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("AHL"),
paid the sum of pounds sterling 4.6 million (approximately $7.5 million) in
cash for all of the outstanding preference share capital of DSL. The DSL
Transaction was accounted for as a pooling of interests. Accordingly, the
historical Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company as at and for
fiscal 1996 and for first quarter 1997 have been restated on a supplemental
basis to reflect the historical financial statements of the Company combined
with DSL since DSL's inception. DSL was incorporated on June 3, 1996 and,
through a management buy-out transaction on July 31, 1996, acquired all of the
outstanding share capital of DSL Holdings. The buy-out transaction resulted in
a step up in basis for accounting purposes which resulted in the recording of
approximately $9.6 million of goodwill.

         The following discussion of the Company's results of operations and
analysis of financial condition for fiscal 1996 and first quarter 1997
reflects results on this supplemental basis. The discussion of the Company's
results of operations for the prior periods are not affected by the DSL
Transaction and accordingly are presented on a historical basis. The results
of operations for the business combinations accounted for as purchase
transactions are included since their effective acquisition dates: as of
September 30, 1996 for the DTCoA Assets and July 1, 1996 for the NIK Product
Line.

         Product and Service Businesses. Historically, the Company was
primarily a manufacturer and distributor of security products. Cost of goods
sold for the Company historically consisted of the cost of raw materials and
overhead allocated to manufacturing operations. Operating expenses for the
Company historically consisted of sales and marketing expenses and corporate
overhead at the Company's headquarters.

         As a result of the DSL Transaction, a significant portion of the
Company's business now involves the provision of security services. Cost of
goods sold for DSL consists principally of labor and related costs, including
corporate overhead at DSL's various security sites. Operating expenses for DSL
consisted primarily of corporate overhead at DSL's corporate headquarters.

         Due to the differences between manufacturing and service operations,
the Company's supplemental gross margins are not comparable with gross margins
reported in historical periods.

                                      18

<PAGE>



         Fresh-Start Reporting. The Company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy
reorganization on September 20, 1993. In connection with the confirmation of
its Plan of Reorganization, the Company adopted "fresh-start reporting" in
accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization
Under the Bankruptcy Code." Accordingly, since September 20, 1993, the
Company's financial statements have been prepared as if it were a new
reporting entity.

         Revenue Recognition. The Company records product revenues at gross
amounts to be received, including amounts to be paid to agents as commissions,
at the time the product is shipped to the distributor. Although product
returns are permitted within 30 days from the date of purchase, these returns
are minimal and usually consist of minor modifications to the ordered product.
The Company records service revenue as the service is provided on a contract
by contract basis.

         Foreign Currency Translation. In accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation," assets
and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S.
dollars at the current rate of exchange at year-end and revenues and expenses
are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. The cumulative
translation adjustment which represents the effect of translating assets and
liabilities of the Company's foreign operations was a loss of approximately
$229,000 for fiscal 1996.

         Impact of Acquisitions. The results of operations for fiscal 1996 and
first quarter 1997, which are reported on a supplemental basis, reflect the
results of operations of the Company combined with DSL. Additionally the
results of operations for DTC and NIK are reflected since the acquisition
dates of the DTCoA Assets and the NIK Product Line, September 30, 1996 and
July 1, 1996, respectively. Accordingly, period-to-period comparisons should
be considered in the context of the timing of the transactions.

         Subsequent Events. On June 9, 1997, the Company acquired the
remaining 50% interest of GTL that it did not previously own. The aggregate
purchase price of the transaction is approximately $2.4 million, consisting of
$570,000 in cash paid at closing, $600,000 in cash paid on September 30, 1997,
subject to certain conditions, and 115,176 shares of Common Stock valued at
$1.2 million. As part of this transaction, the Company agreed to make a
$200,000 loan available to a former stockholder of GTL, subject to certain
conditions.

         On April 16, 1997, the Company completed its combination with DSL,
which was accounted for under the pooling method of accounting for business
combinations. In connection with the DSL Transaction, the Company issued
1,274,217 shares of Common Stock valued at $10.9 million for all of the
outstanding ordinary share capital of DSL and paid $7.5 million in cash for
all of the outstanding preference shares. The Company also assumed and
subsequently repaid $6.9 million, plus interest, of DSL's outstanding credit
facility.

         In connection with the DSL Transaction, the Company recorded a
non-recurring charge to earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 of
approximately $2.5 million. The components of this charge relate to
transaction costs, principally professional fees of approximately $1.1
million, and restructuring costs of approximately $1.4 million incurred to
consolidate the administrative and accounting functions of DSL with those of
the Company at its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.

         On April 7, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of
Supercraft, which has been accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting for business combinations. The Company acquired Supercraft for a
total purchase price of approximately $2.6 million consisting of (i) $1.3
million in cash, subject to adjustments, (ii) $875,000 which was held in
escrow pending final disposition of title to certain real property and (iii)
certain additional consideration in an amount not to exceed pounds sterling
250,000 (approximately $410,000) based on 1997 operating results.

                                      19

<PAGE>



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FIRST QUARTER 1997 AS COMPARED TO FIRST QUARTER 1996

         Revenues--products. Products revenues increased $3.1 million, or 97%,
to $6.4 million in first quarter 1997 from $3.3 million in first quarter 1996.
This increase in sales resulted from $2.4 million in sales generated from the
DTC and NIK operations in first quarter 1997, and a 17% increase in the
Company's domestic products business.

         Revenues--services. Services revenues were $8.3 million in first
quarter 1997. There were no such revenues in first quarter 1996.

         Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased $8.3 million, or 395%, to
$10.4 million in first quarter 1997 from $2.1 million in first quarter 1996.
The majority of the increase is due to the recent combination with DSL which
had $6.6 million in operating costs associated with DSL revenues in first
quarter 1997. The remaining $1.7 million increase in cost of sales is
attributed to the increased manufacturing costs of the products business
(associated with a 97% increase in revenues). As a percentage of total
revenues, cost of sales increased to 70.8% in first quarter 1997 from 64.6% in
first quarter 1996, reflecting the higher cost of sales associated with the
security services business.

         Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $2.0 million to $2.9
million (20% of total revenues) in first quarter 1997 from $950,000 (29% of
total revenues) during first quarter 1996. The increase in the actual dollar
amount of operating expenses between the periods was primarily due to
approximately $1.2 million related to the overhead costs associated with DSL,
approximately $585,000 related to the additional revenues generated by DTC and
NIK and approximately $382,000 of additional costs related to commissions on
increased sales and corporate overhead costs for the development of the
infrastructure of the Company as a holding company. The decrease in operating
expenses as a percentage of total revenues reflects the inclusion of the
security services operations in first quarter 1997.

         Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased to $286,000 in first quarter 1997 from $18,000 in first quarter
1996. Of the $268,000 increase, approximately $181,000 was due to amortization
of intangibles acquired during 1996, $64,000 represents existing depreciation
and amortization attributed to DSL at the time of the DSL Transaction and the
remainder was primarily due to depreciation on DTC purchased assets.

         Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net decreased $3,000, or 4%,
to $69,000 in first quarter 1997 from $72,000 in first quarter 1996. Although
interest expense of $109,000 related to DSL's loan with Rothschild was
incurred in first quarter 1997, it was partially offset by the Company's
reduction of its credit facility with LaSalle Business Credit, Inc.
("LaSalle") to a zero balance and investment of the proceeds from the
Company's offering of its Convertible Notes in April 1996.

         Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries. Equity in earnings
of unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to approximately $272,000 in first
quarter 1997, compared to no such income in first quarter 1996. This equity
relates to DSL's original 50% investment in GTL, as well as a 20% investment
in Jardine Securicor Gurkha Services Limited ("JSGS"), a joint venture
company.

         Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes increased $1.1
million, or 957%, to $1.2 million in first quarter 1997 from $117,000 in first
quarter 1996. This increase was due primarily to the integration of DSL, DTC
and NIK into the Company.

                                      20

<PAGE>



         Income taxes. Income taxes totaled $554,000 in first quarter 1997, as
compared to $45,000 in first quarter 1996. The provision was based on the
Company's U.S. federal and state statutory rates of approximately 39% for its
U.S.-based company and 43% effective tax rate for DSL, excluding the U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") adjustment for preferred
share dividends.

         Dividends on preference shares. During first quarter 1997, DSL paid
$143,000 in preference share dividends. These dividends were paid out of after
tax earnings. The shares underlying the dividends were acquired by the Company
on April 16, 1997 in the DSL Transaction.

         Net income. Net income increased $468,000, or 650%, to $540,000 in
first quarter 1997 from $72,000 in first quarter 1996. As noted previously,
the increase is due to the integration of DSL, DTC and NIK into the Company.

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1997 AS COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996

         Revenues--products. Products revenues increased $7.3 million, or
106%, to $14.2 million for the six months ended June 28, 1997 from $6.9
million for the six months ended June 30, 1996. This increase in sales
resulted primarily from $6.5 million in sales generated from the DTC and NIK
operations in the six months ended June 28, 1997, as well as sales generated
by Supercraft from the date of acquisition, April 7, 1997, until June 28,
1997.

         Revenues--services. Services revenues were $18.6 million in the six
months ended June 28, 1997. There were no such revenues in the six months
ended June 30, 1996.

         Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased $19.3 million, or 442%, to
$23.7 million in the six months ended June 28, 1997 from $4.4 million in the
six months ended June 30, 1996. The majority of the increase is due to the
recent combination with DSL which had $15.3 million in direct operating costs
associated with DSL revenues in the six months ended June 28, 1997. The
remaining $4.0 million increase in cost of sales is attributed to the
increased manufacturing costs of the products business (associated with a 106%
increase in revenues). As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales
increased to 72.2% in the six months ended June 28, 1997 from 63.6% in the six
months ended June 30, 1996, reflecting the higher cost of sales associated
with the security services business.

         Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $3.8 million to $5.8
million (17.8% of total revenues) in the six months ended June 28, 1997 from
$2.0 million (29% of sales) during the six months ended June 30, 1996. The
increase in the actual dollar amount of operating expenses between the periods
was due to approximately $1.9 million related to the overhead costs associated
with DSL, approximately $1.2 million related to the additional revenues 
generated by DTC and NIK and approximately $700,000 of corporate overhead 
costs for the development of the infrastructure of the Company as a holding 
company.

         Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased to $484,000 in the six months ended June 28, 1997 from $33,000 in
the six months ended June 30, 1996. Of the $451,000 increase, approximately
$362,000 was due to amortization of intangibles acquired during the second
half of 1996 and the remainder is primarily due to existing depreciation and
amortization of acquired goodwill in the DSL Transaction.

         Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries. Equity in earnings
of unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to approximately $564,000 in the six
months ended June 28, 1997, compared to no such income in the six months ended
June 30, 1996. The equity relates to DSL's original 50% investment in GTL
until June 9, 1997

                                      21

<PAGE>



at which point the 100% investment was consolidated into the Company's
results, as well as a 20% investment in JSGS.

         Operating income before non-recurring charges. Operating income
before non-recurring charges increased $2.9 million, or 624%, to $3.4 million
in the six months ended June 28, 1997 from $465,000 in the six months ended
June 30, 1996. This increase was due primarily to the acquired businesses of
DSL, Supercraft, DTC and NIK.

         Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net increased $308,000, or
299%, to $411,000 for the six months ended June 28, 1997 from $103,000 for the
six months ended June 30, 1996. The increase in interest expense is primarily
due to borrowings of approximately $15.4 million in April 1997 under the
Company's Credit Facility with Barnett Bank in connection with the DSL
Transaction to acquire DSL's preference shares and to repay DSL's outstanding
loan balance with Rothschild at the time of combination. Additional draws were
made on the Credit Facility so that a balance of $18.6 million was repaid with
proceeds realized from the Public Offering. In addition, interest expense of
$149,000 related to DSL's loan with Rothschild was incurred in the six months
ended June 28, 1997.

         Merger, integration and other non-recurring charges. Fees and
expenses associated with completing the DSL Transaction (approximately $1.0
million) have been expended. These expenses, in combination with certain other
charges relating to the financial and administrative restructuring and
consolidation of DSL into the Company, totaled approximately $2.5 million, or
$0.13 per share, and represent a one-time charge.

         Income taxes. Income taxes totaled $417,000 in the six months ended
June 28, 1997, as compared to $147,000 in the six months ended June 30, 1996.
The provision was based on the Company's U.S. federal and state statutory
rates of approximately 39% for its U.S.-based companies and a 38% blended
effective tax rate for foreign operations of the Company, and was
significantly increased by certain non-recurring charges which are not tax
deductible.

         Dividends on preference shares. During the six months ended June 28,
1997, DSL incurred $143,000 in preference share dividends. These dividends
were paid out of after tax earnings. The shares underlying the dividends were
acquired by the Company on April 16, 1997 in the DSL Transaction.

         Net income. Net income decreased $363,000 or 169%, to a loss of
$148,000 in the six months ended June 28, 1997 from income of $215,000 for the
six months ended June 30, 1996. As noted previously, the decrease is due to
the non-recurring charge incurred by the Company in the six months ended June
28, 1997.

SECOND QUARTER 1997 AS COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER 1996

         Revenues--products. Products revenues increased $4.2 million, or
115%, to $7.8 million for second quarter 1997 from $3.6 million for second
quarter 1996. This increase in sales resulted primarily from $4.0 million in
sales generated from the DTC, NIK and Supercraft operations in second quarter
1997.

         Revenues--services. Services revenues were $10.3 million in second
quarter 1997. There were no such revenues in second quarter 1996.

         Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased $11.0 million, or 486%, to
$13.2 million in second quarter 1997 from $2.3 million in second quarter 1996.
The majority of the increase is due to the DSL Transaction which had $8.6
million in direct operating costs associated with DSL revenues in second
quarter 1997. The remaining $2.4 million increase in cost of sales is
attributed to the increased manufacturing costs of the products business
(associated

                                      22

<PAGE>



with 115% increase in revenues). As a percentage of total revenues, cost of
sales increased to 73.2% in second quarter 1997 from 62.8% in second quarter
1996, reflecting the higher cost of sales associated with the security
services business.

         Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $1.8 million to $2.8
million (16% of total revenues) in second quarter 1997 from $1.0 million (29%
of sales) during second quarter 1996. The increase in the actual dollar amount
of operating expenses between the periods was due to approximately $765,000
related to the overhead costs associated with DSL, approximately $588,000
related to the additional revenues generated by DTC and NIK, and approximately
$400,000 of additional costs related to commissions on increased sales and
corporate overhead costs for the development of the infrastructure of the
Company as a holding company. The decrease in operating expenses as a
percentage of total revenues reflects the inclusion of the security services
operations in second quarter 1997.

         Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased to $259,000 in second quarter 1997 from $18,000 in second quarter
1996. Of the $241,000 increase, approximately $181,000 was due to amortization
of intangibles acquired during the second half of 1996 and the remainder is
primarily due to existing depreciation and amortization of acquired goodwill
in the DSL Transaction.

         Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries. Equity in earnings
of unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to approximately $291,000 in second
quarter 1997, compared to no such income in second quarter 1996. The equity
relates to DSL's original 50% investment in GTL until June 9, 1997 at which
point the 100% investment was consolidated into the Company's results, as well
as a 20% investment in JSGS.

         Operating income before non-recurring charges. Operating income
before non-recurring charges increased $1.8 million, or 645%, to $2.1 million
in second quarter 1997 from $276,000 in second quarter 1996. This increase was
due primarily to the acquired businesses of DSL, Supercraft, DTC and NIK.

         Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net increased $312,000, or
1,040%, to $342,000 in second quarter 1997 from $30,000 for second quarter
1996. The Company incurred approximately $298,000 in interest expense during
second quarter 1997 related to the $15.4 million borrowing under its Credit
Facility with Barnett Bank to acquire DSL's preference shares and to repay
DSL's outstanding balance on its loan with Rothschild at the time of
combination. In addition, interest expense of $40,000 related to DSL's loan
with Rothschild was incurred in second quarter 1997.

         Merger, integration and other non-recurring charges. Fees and
expenses associated with completing the transaction (approximately $1.0
million) have been expended. These expenses in combination with certain other
charges relating to the financial and administrative restructuring and
consolidation of DSL into the Company totaled approximately $2.5 million, or
$0.13 per share, and represent a one-time charge.

         Income taxes. Income taxes totaled a benefit of $132,000 in second
quarter 1997, as compared to $102,000 expense in second quarter 1996. The
benefit and provision are based on the Company's U.S. federal and state
statutory rates of approximately 39% for its U.S.-based companies and a 38%
blended effective tax rate for foreign operations of the Company, and was
significantly increased by certain non-recurring charges which are not tax
deductible.

         Net income. Net income decreased $840,000 or 583%, to a loss of
$696,000 in second quarter 1997 from $144,000 for second quarter 1996. As
noted previously, the decrease is due to the non-recurring charge incurred by
the Company in second quarter 1997.

                                      23

<PAGE>



FISCAL 1996 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995

         Revenues--products. Products revenues increased $6.3 million, or 54%,
to $18.0 million in fiscal 1996 from $11.7 million in fiscal 1995. This
increase resulted primarily from a 35% increase in domestic and international
products revenues, coupled with revenues generated by the DTC and NIK
operations for one and two quarters, respectively.

         Revenues--services. Services revenues were $13.0 million in fiscal
1996 during the period from August 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996. There
were no services revenues prior to August 1, 1996.

         Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased $13.7 million, or 184%, to
$21.1 million in fiscal 1996 from $7.4 million in fiscal 1995. Of such
increase, $10.1 million is due to increased services revenues generated in
fiscal 1996, as stated above. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales
increased to 68.4% in fiscal 1996 from 63.4% in fiscal 1995, reflecting the
higher cost of sales associated with the security services business. Products
business gross margin increased to 40% in fiscal 1996 from 37% in fiscal 1995,
due to the impact of higher margin products being sold by both DTC and NIK.

         Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased $3.5 million, or
103%, to $6.9 million in fiscal 1996 from $3.4 million in fiscal 1995. As a
percentage of net sales, operating expenses decreased to 22% in fiscal 1996
from 29% in fiscal 1995. DSL's operating expenses as a percentage of net sales
amounted to 14% for fiscal 1996, whereas the products businesses' percentage
amounted to 28% for fiscal 1996. Of the $3.5 million increase, $1.8 million is
attributable to DSL, approximately $800,000 is due to increases in commissions
resulting from increased sales in the products business and the remainder is
due to the additional operating costs associated with NIK and DTC.

         Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization
increased $501,000 to $554,000 in fiscal 1996 from $53,000 in fiscal 1995. Of
the $501,000 increase, the majority was due to additional depreciation and
amortization related to the products business, including the DTCoA Assets
purchased. In addition, approximately $159,000 of this expense relates to the
amortization of intangibles incurred by DSL and carried over onto the books of
the Company.

         Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net increased $234,000, or
83%, to $515,000 in fiscal 1996 from $281,000 in fiscal 1995. This increase
resulted primarily from $261,000 of interest expense incurred by DSL relating
to a $6.8 million working capital loan. This loan has subsequently been paid
off. In addition, the Company incurred net interest expense of $253,000
relating to the Convertible Notes.

         Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries. Equity in
investments held by DSL amounted to approximately $320,000 in fiscal 1996
compared to no such income in fiscal 1995. This equity relates to GTL and
JSGS, as discussed previously.

         Non-operating income. Non-operating income decreased $226,000 to
$2,000 in fiscal 1996 from $228,000 in fiscal 1995. The non-operating income
in fiscal 1995 relates to the termination of a non-compete agreement entered
into in 1990 between the Company and a competitor.

         Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes increased $1.3
million to $2.1 million in fiscal 1996 from $824,000 in fiscal 1995. Of the
$1.3 million increase, approximately $600,000 was due to the products business
and approximately $700,000 was due to the services business.

                                      24

<PAGE>



         Income taxes. The Company's net operating loss carry forward ("NOL")
at December 28, 1996 decreased to approximately $4.4 million from
approximately $4.7 million at January 1, 1996. Due to the Company's change in
control resulting from the Kanders investment in January 1996, the allowed
annual usage of this tax benefit became restricted to approximately $300,000
per year.

         The Company's effective tax rate was 37% in fiscal 1995 compared to
57% in fiscal 1996 (excluding the U.S. GAAP adjustment of the preference share
dividends). This increase in rate was incurred due to an unusual and
extraordinary tax penalty of approximately $320,000 relating to DSL's
operation in Kazakhstan. Had this charge not been incurred, DSL's effective
tax rate would have been 45%.

         In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), the Company has recorded a
deferred tax asset, representing its cumulative net operating loss
carryforward and deductible temporary differences, subject to applicable
limits and an asset valuation allowance. Any future benefit obtained from the
realization of this asset will be applied to reduce the reorganization value
in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets. As of December 28,
1996, the gross amount of this deferred tax asset was $1.8 million, the entire
amount of which has been offset by a valuation allowance.

         Dividends on preference shares. Preference share dividends were
approximately $239,000 in fiscal 1996 compared to no dividends in fiscal 1995.
These preference shares were acquired by the Company on April 16, 1997 in the
DSL Transaction.

         Net income. Net income increased $169,000, or 33%, to $689,000 in
fiscal 1996 from $520,000 in fiscal 1995. This increase reflects the effect of
increased sales in fiscal 1996 as well as the positive effects on net income
from the NIK and DTC operations, partially offset by non-recurring
non-operating income received in fiscal 1995 and no such income being received
in fiscal 1996.

FISCAL 1995 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL 1994

         Revenues--products. Products revenues increased $386,000, or 3.4%, to
$11.7 million in fiscal 1995 from $11.3 million in fiscal 1994. This increase
resulted primarily from an increase in sales in the domestic body armor
products business.

         Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased $298,000, or 4%, to $7.4
million in fiscal 1995 from $7.7 million in fiscal 1994. The decrease was due
to positive manufacturing variances (better utilization of labor and purchases
of raw material). In addition, the domestic market experienced better margins
and contributed a greater percentage to the overall sales figures as the
products business gross margin increased from 31.8% to 36.6%.

         Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $715,000, or 27%, to
$3.4 million in fiscal 1995 from $2.7 million in fiscal 1994. Increases in
salaries for additional personnel in the sales and marketing areas of the
Company and domestic commissions (due to the increase in domestic sales)
comprised the majority of the overall increase in operating expenses. In
addition, increased domestic travel costs and certain costs associated with
the investment by Kanders in the Company are included in operating expenses
for fiscal 1995. Increases in research and development expenses were also
incurred due to new vest certification and testing costs, as well as in
connection with the ISO 9002 certification of the Company's quality control
standards. The Company received the ISO 9002 certification in October 1995.
See "Business--Manufacturing and Raw Materials."

         Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization
increased $10,000, or 23%, to $53,000 in fiscal 1995 from $43,000 in fiscal
1994. The increase was due to increasing capital expenditures during the year.

                                      25

<PAGE>



         Interest expense. Interest expense increased $65,000, or 30%, to
$281,000 in fiscal 1995 from $216,000 in fiscal 1994. This increase resulted
primarily from higher borrowings under the Company's LaSalle credit facility.

         Non-operating income. Non-operating income amounted to $228,000 in
fiscal 1995, compared to no such income in fiscal 1994. This income is
non-recurring and relates to the termination of a non-compete agreement
entered into in 1990 between the Company and a competitor.

         Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes increased
$122,000, or 17%, to $824,000 in fiscal 1995 from $702,000 in fiscal 1994. The
increase is primarily due to the non-operating income incurred in 1995 being
partially offset by the increases in selling, general, and administrative
expenses.

         Income taxes. In accordance with SFAS 109, the Company has recorded a
deferred tax asset, representing its cumulative net operating loss
carryforward and deductible temporary differences, subject to applicable
limits and an asset valuation allowance. Any future benefit obtained from the
realization of this asset will be applied to reduce the reorganization value
in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets. As of December 31,
1995, the gross amount of this deferred tax asset was $2.0 million the entire
amount of which has been offset by a valuation allowance.

         Net income. Net income increased $97,000, or 23%, to $520,000 in
fiscal 1995 from $423,000 in fiscal 1994. This increase in profit reflects the
improved margins and non-recurring, non-operating income received in fiscal
1995, partially offset by the increase in selling, general and administrative
expenses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         Prior to April 30, 1996, the Company's principal source of working
capital was its credit facility with LaSalle. On April 30, 1996, the Company
sold $11.5 million principal amount of its Convertible Notes and used a
portion of the proceeds thereof to repay all amounts outstanding under the
LaSalle credit facility. Thereafter, the Company terminated the LaSalle credit
facility. In December 1996, the holders of all of the Convertible Notes
converted their Convertible Notes into an aggregate of 2,300,000 shares of
Common Stock.

         On November 14, 1996, the Company entered into the Credit Facility
with Barnett Bank, N.A. ("Barnett Bank") for a revolving credit facility of up
to $10 million for working capital purposes. The Credit Facility was amended
as of March 26, 1997 to increase the revolving line of credit to $20 million.
As of August 11, 1997, the Company had no indebtedness to Barnett Bank. The
Credit Facility is secured by, among other things, the inventory, accounts
receivable, equipment, patents, trademarks and other intellectual property of
the Company and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries, and is guaranteed by certain
of its U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, the Company has pledged to Barnett Bank
all of the outstanding shares of common stock owned by the Company in DTC, NIK
and Armor Holdings Properties, Inc. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness"
and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         As of December 28, 1996, the Company had working capital of $14.3
million, which reflects the net proceeds of $8.6 million (after paying down
the La Salle credit facility to a zero balance) from the issuance of the
Convertible Notes as well as positive cash flow from operations. At the end of
second quarter 1997, working capital was $11.6 million.

         The Company anticipates that cash generated from the Public Offering,
operations and borrowings under the Credit Facility will enable the Company to
meet its liquidity, working capital and capital expenditure requirements
during the next 12 months. The Company, however, may require additional
financing to pursue its strategy of growth through acquisitions. If such
financing is required, there are no assurances that it will be

                                      26

<PAGE>



available, or if available, that it can be obtained on terms favorable to the
Company or on a basis that is not dilutive to stockholders.

         The Company anticipates spending approximately $4.0 million in
connection with its capital expenditure plan for fiscal 1997. Such
expenditures include, among other things, construction and other costs related
to the Company's new office and manufacturing facility at the Jacksonville
International Tradeport as well as upgrading the Company's management
information systems.

QUARTERLY RESULTS--HISTORICAL

         The following table presents summarized unaudited quarterly results
of operations for the Company for fiscal 1995 and 1996. The Company believes
all necessary adjustments have been included in the amounts stated below to
present fairly the following selected information when read in conjunction
with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. Future quarterly
operating results may fluctuate depending on a number of factors. Results of 
operations for any particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of 
results of operations for a full year or any other quarter.

                                            FISCAL 1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                         FIRST         SECOND          THIRD         FOURTH
                        QUARTER        QUARTER        QUARTER        QUARTER
                        -------        -------        -------        -------
                          (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Sales.................  $2,537          $2,939         $2,930         $3,335
Gross Profit..........     951           1,089          1,106          1,152
Net income............     112             128            226             54
Net income per
 common share 
 and common share
 equivalent...........   $0.02           $0.02          $0.03          $0.01



                                            FISCAL 1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                         FIRST        SECOND         THIRD         FOURTH
                        QUARTER       QUARTER       QUARTER        QUARTER
                        -------       -------       -------        -------  
                          (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Sales.................   $3,267        $3,596       $4,452         $6,696
Gross Profit..........    1,157         1,338        1,808          2,829
Net income............       72           114          239            380
Net income per 
  common share
  and common share
  equivalent..........    $0.01          $0.02         $0.03          $0.04


QUARTERLY RESULTS--SUPPLEMENTAL

         The following table presents summarized unaudited quarterly results
of operations for the Company for fiscal 1995 and 1996, giving retroactive
effect to the DSL Transaction. The Company believes all necessary adjustments
have been included in the amounts stated below to present fairly the following
selected information when read in conjunction with the Supplemental
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

                                      27

<PAGE>


Future quarterly operating results may fluctuate depending on a number
of factors. Results of operations for any particular quarter are not
necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year or any other
quarter.


                                          FISCAL 1995
                     --------------------------------------------------------
                          FIRST         SECOND         THIRD         FOURTH
                         QUARTER        QUARTER       QUARTER        QUARTER
                         -------        -------       -------        -------
                       (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Sales................     $2,537         $2,939        $2,930         $3,335
Gross Profit.........        951          1,089         1,106          1,152
Net income...........        112            128           226             54
Net income per 
  common share 
  and common share
  equivalent.........      $0.02          $0.02         $0.03          $0.01


                                          FISCAL 1996
                     --------------------------------------------------------
                          FIRST         SECOND         THIRD         FOURTH
                         QUARTER        QUARTER       QUARTER        QUARTER
                         -------        -------       -------        -------
                        (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
SALES................     $3,267         $3,596       $12,746        $11,358
Gross Profit.........      1,157          1,338         2,387          4,913
Net income...........         72            114            62            411
Net income per 
  common share 
  and common share
  equivalent.........      $0.01          $0.02         $0.01          $0.04


                                      28

<PAGE>



                               INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

         The Company participates in the global security industry through the
manufacture of security products marketed to law enforcement and correctional
personnel and the provision of specialized security services to multi-national
corporations and governmental agencies. The industry information described
below illustrates certain trends which management believes will contribute to
increasing demand for the Company's products and services. Due to the
fragmented nature of the security industry, however, specific statistical data
directly relating to the market segments in which the Company operates are
generally unavailable.

GENERAL

         In recent years, the nature and perception of violent criminal
activity have changed in the U.S. and internationally. The proliferation of
advanced weaponry and related technologies has made the criminal and terrorist
element a more serious and unpredictable threat to the safety of citizens and
law enforcement personnel. Legal gun ownership has reached over 65 million
people in the U.S., and 31 U.S. states now permit the carrying of concealed
weapons, thereby increasing the risk of gun-related incidents. Such diverse
trends as increases in gang, illegal drug and militant activities have created
more sophisticated, well-equipped and violent criminals. For example, studies
by the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that the incidence of bombings in
the U.S. has grown over 200% from 1985 to 1995. Crime is viewed as a leading
public concern by the U.S. population, according to a recent Gallup poll.

         Internationally, greater political, economic and social tensions and
the proliferation of weapons due to deficient security and illegal arms sales
continue to fuel criminal activities in lesser-developed nations. For example,
industry sources estimate that the crime rate in Russia has doubled in the
last five years. As multi-national corporations have increased their presence
in these lesser-developed nations to take advantage of new markets and natural
resources, they are frequently the targets of violent activity, including
kidnapping, terrorism and vandalism. A study by the U.S. Department of State
indicates that approximately two-thirds of all international terrorist
incidents in 1996 were targeted at private business concerns. Some 20% to 30%
of multi-national corporations operating in Russia have been faced with
demands for protection money. Kidnappings for ransom have been on the rise for
the past few years and, increasingly, the targets are local and foreign
business executives. According to industry sources, over 7,900 kidnappings of
business executives or their family members took place worldwide in 1995.

MANUFACTURED SECURITY PRODUCTS MARKET

         Certain industry studies estimate that U.S. spending for private
security equipment will increase from $14 billion in 1990 to over $24 billion
in 2000 and worldwide expenditures for private security equipment will grow by
9.2% per year from approximately $26 billion in 1994 to approximately $44
billion in 2000. Although these statistics do not correlate directly to the
Company's product lines, the Company believes that the increasing spending in
the private security sector is indicative of a greater demand for the
Company's products in the law enforcement, correctional and governmental
sectors.

         Partially in response to increased awareness of crime, the number of
police officers has increased by approximately 23% in the period from 1985 to
1994. Expenditures on police protection in the U.S. have increased at a
compounded annual rate of 8% from 1980 to 1992 to a total of approximately $41
billion annually. In 1993, a U.S. Department of Justice survey of local police
departments indicated that 65% of such organizations have purchased body armor
for all of their officers, 60% supply their officers with pepper spray, 35%
supply their officers with tear gas and 10% maintain inventories of stun
grenades and less-than-lethal projectiles. In addition, the Company believes
the rise in the prison population has spurred demand from institutional
correctional facilities

                                      29

<PAGE>



for manufactured security products. In the U.S., the prison population has
grown at a compounded annual rate of 8% from 1980 to approximately 1.6 million
inmates in 1995.

SPECIALIZED SECURITY SERVICES MARKET

         Many multi-national corporations, such as petrochemical and mining
companies, have significant manpower and money invested in large projects in
poor, lesser-developed nations that are often beset by political instability,
ineffective and corrupt police forces and judicial systems, terrorism, high
crime rates and a general breakdown or lack of political, economic and social
infrastructures. Recent developments such as the fall of Communism in Europe
and the former Soviet Union and reduced interest of world superpowers in the
stabilization of many third world governments have resulted in numerous
changes in government and, in certain cases, great political instability in
such countries. Providing security for personnel and assets in such volatile
and dangerous areas is a primary factor considered by companies and
governmental agencies making decisions to invest in and send personnel to
unstable areas.

         In response to such security problems, corporations are increasingly
contracting experienced private companies to perform their security services.
Industry studies demonstrate that the security services market in the U.S.,
which does not contend with the same level of security threats as most
lesser-developed nations, is expected to increase at a rate of 7.9% annually
from approximately $17 billion in 1994 to approximately $26 billion by the
year 2000. Management believes that demand by multi-national corporations and
governmental agencies operating in lesser-developed nations for specialized
security services, such as risk assessment, crisis management, guard force
management, security force organization and executive protection, is likely to
increase as such entities continue to establish operations and manufacturing
facilities in foreign and developing countries.

                                      30

<PAGE>



                                   BUSINESS

GENERAL

         The Company is a leading provider of effective security solutions to
the increasing level of security threats encountered by domestic and foreign
law enforcement personnel, governmental agencies and multi-national
corporations. These solutions include a broad range of high quality branded
manufactured products such as ballistic resistant vests and tactical armor,
bomb disposal equipment, less-than-lethal munitions and anti-riot products
marketed under brand names such as American Body Armor(TM), Defense
Technology(TM) and First Defense(R), and sophisticated security planning,
advisory and management services, including the provision of highly trained,
multi-lingual and experienced security personnel in violent and unstable areas
of the world.

         Founded in 1969 as American Body Armor & Equipment, Inc., the Company
until recently was primarily a manufacturer of armored products such as
ballistic resistant vests and tactical armor. Since Kanders acquired its
interest in the Company in January 1996, the Company has pursued a strategy of
growth through acquisition of businesses and assets that complement its
existing businesses. Through such acquisitions and the expansion of its
existing businesses, the Company seeks to: (i) offer superior customer service
through a comprehensive portfolio of security products and services; (ii)
capitalize on its growing, diversified, global and institutional client base;
(iii) promote brand development through the quality of its products, superior
training and customer service; and (iv) maximize profitability and operational
efficiencies. The Company believes that further growth will be generated by
the leverage of its distribution network and client base as well as expansion
into new territories.

         Because the Company's customers require the highest level of
reliability from the Company's products and services the Company focuses on
quality, testing, training and support. To demonstrate its commitment to
quality, the Company became the first domestic manufacturer of body armor to
qualify for ISO 9002 certification by successfully completing an audit
certifying its compliance with a comprehensive series of quality management
and quality control standards. The Company routinely tests its products before
releasing them to customers and tests each layout of its ballistic resistant
vests. Recognizing the importance of safe and proper use of its products, the
Company offers comprehensive training to end-users and provides extensive
customer service support to its distributor network and end users. All
security personnel furnished by the Company undergo extensive and on-going
training.

         The Company believes that governmental and international agencies and
multi-national corporations will continue to face significant threats of
violent criminal and hostile activity, terrorism and civil disturbances. The
Company therefore expects demand for its products and services to increase as
these entities anticipate, mitigate and react to perceived or actual security
threats worldwide.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

         The Company approaches its markets by focusing on customer service,
providing customized security solutions and offering branded, differentiated
products. The Company is pursuing the following business strategy in order to
increase its scale and profitability:

         Offer a Comprehensive Portfolio of Solutions to Security Threats. The
Company has established a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions that
respond to a wide array of customer needs. Historically, the Company
manufactured, marketed and sold body armor and related products to law
enforcement agencies. Since July 1996, however, the Company has significantly
increased the scope of its product offerings through acquisitions of
complementary business lines, including less-than-lethal munitions and
anti-riot products, military apparel and narcotic identification kits. Through
the Company's combination with DSL, the Company has become a leading provider
of specialized security solutions that are designed to ensure the safety and
security of personnel and fixed

                                      31

<PAGE>



assets in remote and hostile areas of the world. The Company intends to
continue to diversify its product and service portfolio through internal
development and acquisitions of complementary business and product lines.

         Promote Brand Development through Training and Sales Support. The
Company's products are sold under established, highly-regarded brand names
such as American Body Armor(TM), Defense Technology(TM), First Defense(R) and
NIK(R). To maintain the value of these brands, the Company employs strict
quality control measures by conducting thorough product testing and providing
extensive customer support through a domestic and international network of
factory-direct sales representatives. These representatives offer
comprehensive customer training and dedicated customer service. DSL is one of
the world's oldest and most respected providers of sophisticated security
services and protects its reputation through rigorous selection, training and
management of personnel.

         Capitalize on the Company's Broad Distribution Network. To sell its
portfolio of manufactured products, the Company has developed a broad network
of approximately 345 domestic independent distributors and approximately 150
international agents through whom it markets its products to end-users,
including domestic and international law enforcement agencies and governmental
authorities. The distributors benefit from their association with the Company
due to the quality of the Company's manufactured products, the scope of its
product line, the high degree of service provided by the Company and the
distributors' opportunity to participate profitably in the sale of the
Company's products. The wide range of products provided by the Company create
efficiencies in distribution which help to lower the Company's selling cost
per unit.

         Capitalize on a Diversified, Global and Institutional Service Client
Base. DSL's client base includes international law enforcement agencies,
governmental authorities, the United Nations, the U.S. State Department and
multi-national corporations including petrochemical companies, mineral
extraction companies and financial services institutions operating in remote
and hostile environments. Once established in a particular region, the Company
is often selected by other multi-national organizations currently operating in
or expanding operations into that region. Through its service client base, the
Company believes it can expand its global presence through additional
referrals, enhance its reputation as the provider of choice within certain
geographic regions and reinforce its image as an innovative and worldwide
provider of specialized security services.

         Maximize Profitability and Operational Efficiencies-Products. The
Company manufactures superior quality, high-end products which it sells for
premium prices. Because margins are an important consideration, the Company
generally has avoided highly-competitive bids for its manufactured products.
In addition, the Company maintains production efficiency through its close
attention to raw materials purchasing and flexible production planning.

         Maximize Profitability and Operational Efficiencies-Services. The
Company provides value-added security services in unstable, high risk areas of
the world through highly qualified specialists with extensive international
security training and in most cases, military experience. Such services
require an in-depth understanding of foreign, political, economic and cultural
norms. In certain regions of the world, DSL has opened offices to establish a
strong local presence and efficiently gather local intelligence. DSL attempts
to absorb these fixed costs across a number of contracts in a particular
geographic region to enhance operating margins.

GROWTH STRATEGY

         The Company expects the demand for defensive security products and
services to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. The Company seeks to
capitalize on this growth through the pursuit of strategic acquisitions,
leveraging of existing distribution network and geographic operating presence
with new products and services and continued global expansion.

                                      32

<PAGE>



         Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. The Company believes that there
currently exists a large pool of attractive acquisition candidates in the
manufacturing and service sectors potentially available for purchase. The
Company intends to continue to pursue selective acquisitions to enhance its
position in its current markets, to acquire operations in new markets and to
acquire operations that will broaden the range of products and scope of
services which the Company can provide.

         Leverage Distribution Network. The Company plans to leverage its
distribution network by expanding its range of branded and differentiated
security products through the acquisition of niche defensive security products
manufacturers and investment in the development of new and enhanced products
which complement the Company's existing offerings. The Company believes that a
broader product line will enable it to provide more comprehensive security
solutions, thereby strengthening the relationship between the Company and its
distributors.

         Leverage Service Client Base. The Company intends to grow with its
service clients, particularly those involved in the petrochemical and mineral
extraction industries, as they expand their commercial activities in remote
and hostile areas. In addition, satisfied clients historically have provided
significant growth opportunities for the Company in the form of client
referrals, providing additional growth to the Company with little associated
marketing expense.

         Continue Global Expansion. The Company seeks to expand the geographic
scope of its security product and service offerings through acquisitions,
through the extension of its distribution network into new territories and by
providing security products and services to existing customers who are
expanding geographically. The Company anticipates targeting those regions
which contain substantial supplies of natural resources, such as Africa, South
America and Russia, and those countries which represent significant
opportunities for economic growth, such as India. In addition, many of the
Company's existing clients are pursuing rapid global expansion strategies
which may provide the Company with access to new territories and prospective
new client relationships.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

   LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY PRODUCTS

     Armor Products

         The Company manufactures a wide array of armor products under the
brand name American Body Armor(TM) which are designed to protect against
bodily injury caused by bullets, knives and explosive shrapnel. The Company's
principal armor products are ballistic resistant vests, sharp instrument
penetration armor and bomb protective gear. In addition to body armor, the
Company also markets an assortment of other personal armor products, including
helmets, shields and upgrade armor plates. The Company's lines of ballistic
protective vests provide varying levels of protection depending upon the
configuration of ballistic materials and the standards (domestic or
international) to which the armor is built. The Company's body armor products
manufactured in the United States are certified under guidelines established
by the National Institute of Justice where applicable.

         The Company offers two types of ballistic resistant armor:
concealable armor and tactical armor. Concealable armor, which generally is
worn beneath the user's clothing, is the Company's basic line of body armor.
These vests are often sold with a shock plate, which is an insert designed to
improve the protection of vital organs from sharp instrument attack and to
provide enhanced blunt trauma protection.

         Tactical armor is worn externally and is designed to provide
protection over a wider area of a user's body and defeat higher levels of
ballistic threats. These vests, which are usually manufactured with hard armor
ballistic plates that provide additional protection against rifle fire, are
designed to afford the user maximum protection.

                                      33

<PAGE>



Tactical armor may also provide enhanced protection against neck, shoulder and
kidney injuries. Tactical armor is offered in a variety of styles, including
tactical assault vests, tactical police jackets, floatation vests,
high-coverage armor and flak jackets.

         The sharp instrument penetration armor manufactured by the Company is
designed primarily for use by personnel in correctional facilities and by
other law enforcement employees who are primarily exposed to threats from
knives and other sharp instruments. These vests are constructed with special
metallic blends and are available in both concealable and tactical models. In
addition, these vests can be combined with ballistic armor configurations to
provide both ballistic and sharp instrument penetration resistant protection.

         The Company manufactures a wide range of bomb protective gear. This
equipment, known as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment, includes bomb
disposal suits, which are primarily constructed of an aramid ballistic fabric
that is sheathed in a Nomex(R) brand fire-retardant cover. These suits cover
the user's entire body (except the hands) and include a fitted helmet that
provides protection and communication capabilities. Other EOD equipment
manufactured by the Company includes bomb protection blankets and letter bomb
suppression pouches. The Company also distributes Scanna(R) letter bomb 
detection equipment.

         The Company manufactures a variety of hard armor ballistic shields
primarily for use in tactical clearance applications. These shields are
manufactured using Spectra(R) ballistic fibers, polyethylene ballistic
materials, ballistic steel, ceramic tiles, ballistic glass or a combination of
any one or more of these materials. Other hard armor products include tactical
face masks and helmets, ballistic shields, barrier shields and blankets. These
products allow tactical police officers to enter high threat environments with
maximum ballistic protection.

         Other specialty products manufactured by the Company include armored
press vests, executive vests, raincoats and fireman turnout coats. These
specialty products can be custom designed to provide various levels of
ballistic protection. The Company also manufactures specialty armor
applications for vehicles and aircraft, including the construction of
customized armored cars. The Company has the exclusive rights in the United
States to distribute Gallet(R) helmets to the law enforcement community. The
Company also distributes a variety of items manufactured by others, including
gas masks, batons and holsters.

         Less-Than-Lethal Products

         The Company manufactures a complete line of less-than-lethal and
anti-riot and crowd control products designed to assist law enforcement and
military personnel in handling situations that do not require the use of
deadly force. These products, which generally are available for use only by
authorized public safety agencies, include pepper sprays, tear gas, specialty
impact munitions and distraction devices.

         The Company manufactures pepper sprays containing the active
ingredient oleoresin capsicum, a cayenne pepper extract. The Company's pepper
spray formula is patented and carries the trademark name of First Defense(R).
The products range from small "key-ring" and hand-held units to large volume
canisters for anti-riot and crowd control applications.

         The Company's tear gases are manufactured using
Orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and Chloroacetophenone (CN). These
products are packaged in hand-held or launchable grenades, both pyrotechnic
and non-pyrotechnic, as well as in 37 mm, 40 mm and 12 gauge munitions. The
munitions include barricade rounds, blast dispersions and pyrotechnic
canisters. The Company holds a patented design covering two of its
non-pyrotechnic grenades.

                                      34

<PAGE>



         The Company manufactures a wide range of specialty impact munitions
that can be used against either individual targets or in anti-riot and crowd
control situations. These products, which range from single projectiles such
as bean bags, rubber balls, wood batons and rubber batons to multiple
projectile products containing rubber pellets, rubber balls or foam, can be
fired from standard 12 gauge shotguns, 37 mm gas guns and 40 mm launchers.

         The Company also manufactures a patented and trademarked device that
is used for dynamic entries by specially trained forces where it is necessary
to divert the attention of individuals away from an entry area. This product,
which carries the trademark name of Distraction Device(R), emits a loud bang
and brilliant flash of light when used.

         Narcotic Identification and Evidence Equipment

         The Company assembles and markets portable narcotic identification
kits under the NIK(R) brand name which are used by law enforcement personnel
to identify a variety of controlled substances, including cocaine, marijuana,
heroin and LSD. The Company also assembles and markets evidence collection
kits and evidence tape, and has the exclusive rights to distribute Flex-Cuf(R)
and Key-Cuff(TM) disposable restraints.

     SPECIALIZED SECURITY SERVICES

         The Company is the world's leading provider of specialized security
services in high risk and hostile environments, including Africa, South
America, Central Asia, Russia and the Balkans. The core of the Company's
security service business is the creation and implementation of solutions to
complex security problems in high risk areas through detailed and targeted
analysis of potential threats to security, assistance in the secure design of
facilities, the provision of highly qualified specialists with extensive
international experience in practical security applications and on-going
training of security personnel and client personnel with respect to preventive
security measures. The Company also provides humanitarian mine clearance and
ordnance disposal, maintenance of the security of lines of communication,
including airlines and airports, and high risk insurance services.

         The security solutions offered by the Company generally involve
security consultation services and the provision of very experienced security
personnel who act as planners, trainers, managers, advisors, instructors and
liaison personnel. The Company also provides teams of supervisors, many of
whom are British Special Air Services ("SAS") veterans, who frequently are
employed as premium guards for government embassies. In connection with its
security services, the Company utilizes the services of approximately 5,200
locally recruited guards. These guards are supervised, managed and trained by
the Company's professional security staff, but approximately 3,000 are
employed by local companies that subcontract their manpower to the Company.
Other security services provided by the Company include risk assessment,
project organization and management, equipping, training and management of
existing guard forces, system design, procurement, installation, crisis
management, VIP protection, specialist instruction and training and evacuation
planning.

CUSTOMERS

     LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY PRODUCTS

         The Company sells its products through a network of independent
distributors who serve the law enforcement communities. In 1996, the Company
sold approximately 75% of its products in the U.S., with the balance sold
internationally. The primary end-users of the Company's products are law
enforcement agencies, local police departments such as the Philadelphia Police
Department, state police agencies such as the Georgia State Patrol, state
correctional facilities, highway patrols and sheriffs' departments. The
Company's largest distributor

                                      35

<PAGE>



accounted for approximately 6.1% of the Company's overall revenue from product
sales in 1996, and the Company's top ten customers accounted for approximately
21.6% of overall revenue from product sales in 1996.

     SPECIALIZED SECURITY SERVICES

         The Company's principal security services clients include large
multi-national corporations that have significant investments in remote and
hostile areas of the world. These clients include petrochemical companies, who
accounted for approximately 35% of the Company's security business in fiscal
1996, and mining and construction companies, who accounted for approximately
24% of the Company's security business in fiscal 1996. Other significant
clients include the United Nations, governmental embassies, including those
belonging to the United States, projects funded by the World Bank and the
European Commission and a variety of banking, finance, aid and humanitarian
organizations and companies engaged in international trade and commerce. The
following table sets forth certain information regarding selected current and
recent clients, the nature of the security services provided to such clients,
and the countries in which such services are being or have been performed.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CLIENT                        COUNTRY                   FACILITY                SERVICES PROVIDED
<S>                        <C>                       <C>                     <C>
Anadarko Petroleum            Algeria                   Major oil fields        Expatriate security managers and
  Corporation                                                                   supervisors (1994 to date)

British Petroleum             Colombia                  Exploration rigs        Security coordination management
                                                                                and liaison (1992 to date)

Continental Airlines          Colombia                  Airline                 Passenger/baggage search; aircraft
                                                                                guarding (1993 to date)

DeBeers                       Congo (former Zaire)      Diamond mine            Expatriate security supervisors (1984
                                                                                to date)

European Commission           Bosnia-Herzegovina         --                     Mine clearance training program for
                                                                                the government of
                                                                                Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997 to 1998)

Price Waterhouse              Russia                    Offices                 Guards/investigations (1994 to date)

U.S. Department of            Bahrain, Uganda,          Embassies               Expatriate-managed guard forces
   State                      Congo, Ecuador,                                   (1985 to date)
                              Angola

United Nations                Former Republic of        U.N. facilities         Logistics, manpower and support to
                              Yugoslavia                                        UNPROFOR (1992 to 1996)
</TABLE>


MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

     LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY PRODUCTS

         The Company believes that, as a result of its history of providing
high quality and reliable armor, less-than-lethal products and narcotic
identification and evidence equipment, it enjoys excellent name recognition
and a strong reputation in the security industry. The central element of the
Company's marketing strategy is to leverage its name recognition and
reputation by positioning the Company as a global provider of many of the
security products and services that the Company's customers may need. The
Company believes that, by positioning itself in this manner, it can capitalize
on its existing customer base and its extensive global distribution network,
maximize the benefits of its long history of supplying security-related
products around the world and leverage its

                                      36

<PAGE>

leadership position in the security product and services markets. When
entering a foreign market, the Company seeks to penetrate the market by
offering the most comprehensive range of products and services available in
the security industry. The Company tailors its marketing strategy to each
geographic area of the world and will often tailor its product offering by
country. The Company believes that there are opportunities for cross-marketing
of military and law enforcement products which could strengthen the image of
each product group. The Company believes that its ability to cross-market its
security products and services will enhance the Company's position as an
integrated provider of an extensive assortment of security products and
services.

         In addition, the Company has designed comprehensive training programs
to provide initial and continuing training to its customers in the proper use
of its various product lines. These training programs are typically conducted
by trained law enforcement and military personnel hired by the Company for
such purpose. The training programs may potentially reduce the Company's
liability for damages that the Company may incur from the use of its products.
Certain of the Company's training programs also contribute to the Company's
revenues. The Company's training programs are an integral part of the
Company's customer service offerings. Not only do the training programs
enhance customer satisfaction, but they also breed customer loyalty and brand
awareness, thereby enabling the Company to sell additional products to the
same customer.The Company's marketing effort is further augmented by its
involvement with and support of several important law enforcement
associations, including the National Tactical Officer's Association, the
International Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, the American Society of
Law Enforcement Trainers and the International Association of Chiefs of
Police.

         The Company's distribution strategy involves the utilization of a
worldwide distribution network of approximately 345 domestic distributors and
150 international agents, as well as 15 regional domestic sales managers who
promote the Company's products but refer customers to a local distributor for
purchasing. The Company further reinforces distributor loyalty by offering
price discounts to high volume distributors. The Company believes its
relationships with its distributors are strong. The distributors benefit from
their association with the Company due to the quality of the Company's
manufactured products, the scope of its product line, the high degree of
service provided by the Company and the distributor's opportunity to
participate profitably in the sale of the Company's products.

         The Company is continually looking for ways to expand its
distribution network. As the Company identifies and acquires businesses that
fit strategically into its existing product and service portfolio, the Company
believes that it will maximize its distribution network by offering additional
products and services. The Company's recent acquisition of Supercraft has
opened new channels of global distribution to parts of the world not
previously penetrated by the Company. The Company believes that its
combination with DSL will allow the Company to take advantage of DSL's
extensive access to multi-national corporations, whose security service needs
in unstable countries may in the future require security products that
complement the services provided. The Company also believes that the addition
of these new distribution channels will allow the Company and its subsidiaries
to take advantage of each other's distribution networks by offering the
products of the other, thereby increasing operating efficiencies.

     SPECIALIZED SECURITY SERVICES

         The Company's experience has been that its most successful form of
marketing for its security services is client referrals generated by the
professional ability of its personnel. As a result, the Company spends minimal
amounts on direct unsolicited marketing for its security service business. The
Company does not, however, rely upon client referrals as its only strategy of
growth. While the Company will rarely enter a country without a substantial
contract for services already in place, the Company regularly seeks out new
areas which offer potential investment opportunities for multi-national
corporations and present serious security problems which make such investment
opportunities risky. In such cases, the Company will make contact with
organizations that are either

                                      37

<PAGE>



currently investing or considering an investment in such areas. Once
established in a new country, the Company employs qualified country project
managers, who often speak the language native to that country, to develop
additional business.

         The Company also seeks contracts with high visibility customers for
security services in the countries in which it operates. Examples of such
customers include United States embassies, the United Nations and its related
organizations, projects funded by the World Bank and the European Commission,
the International Committee for the Red Cross, the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and large multi-national corporations.
The Company may accept a lower profit margin on these contracts because the
referral and advertising value of these contracts outweighs any reduced profit
that may result from such contracts. By providing services to such high
visibility customers, the Company believes that it will be able to increase
its market share of the security services required by large multi-national
companies operating in those countries.

MANUFACTURING AND RAW MATERIALS

         The Company manufactures substantially all of its bullet, bomb and
projectile resistant garments and other ballistic protection devices and
assembles its portable narcotic identification kits at its Jacksonville,
Florida facility. The Company manufactures virtually all of its
less-than-lethal products, other than piece parts which are assembled and used
in the finished goods, at its Casper, Wyoming facilities. The Company
manufactures most of its military apparel, high visibility garments and some
ballistic resistant garments at its manufacturing facility in Westhoughton,
England, near Manchester, where Supercraft is located. The primary raw
materials used by Company in manufacturing ballistic resistance garments are
various ballistic fibers, including Kevlar(R), Twaron(R) and SpectraShield(R).
Kevlar(R), an aramid fiber, is a patented product of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours &
Co., Inc. ("Du Pont") and is only available from Du Pont and its European
licensee. The Company has begun to use SpectraShield(R), a high strength
polyethylene product of Allied Signal Corp., as an alternative ballistic
resistant fabric to reduce its dependence on Kevlar(R). SpectraShield(R) has
been used in combination with Kevlar(R) in approximately 20% of all vests sold
by the Company. SpectraShield(R) is not, however, expected to become a
complete substitute for Kevlar(R) in the near future due to the fabric's
physical characteristics. The Company also uses Twaron(R), an aramid fiber
product of Akzo-Nobel Fibers B.V. The Company does not purchase these fibers
directly from the manufacturers, but rather purchases fiber from weaving
companies who convert the raw fibers into cloth. In the opinion of management,
the Company enjoys a good relationship with these weaving companies and
believes that, if necessary, it could readily find replacement weavers. See
"Certain Transactions."

         The raw materials used by the Company in the production of chemical
agents are supplied by several sources. The raw chemicals used in the
production of CS tear gas are readily obtainable with the exception of
Malononitrile, for which sources are limited. If the Company were unable to
obtain Malononitrile, its production of CS tear gas could be severely
curtailed. The remainder of the chemicals and piece parts used by the Company
are readily available from other suppliers. While it manufactures its armor on
a built-to-order basis, the Company does maintain reasonable inventories on
its less-than-lethal and anti-riot products.

         The Company purchases other raw materials used in the manufacture of
its various products from a variety of sources, and it believes additional
sources of supply of these materials are readily available. The Company also
owns several molds which are used throughout its less-than-lethal product
line.

         The Company adheres to strict quality control standards and conducts
extensive product testing throughout its manufacturing process. Raw materials
supplied to the Company are also tested to ensure quality. The body armor
manufactured by the Company is ISO 9002 certified. ISO 9002 standards are
promulgated by the International Organization of Standardization and have been
adopted by more than 100 countries worldwide. The Company obtained ISO 9002
certification by successfully completing an audit certifying its compliance
with a comprehensive

                                      38

<PAGE>



series of quality management and quality control standards. The Company is one
of only two corporations in the industry who have earned this prestigious
certification. The Company is in the process of seeking ISO 9002 certification
for its less-than-lethal products.

COMPETITION

         The markets for the Company's products and services are highly
competitive. In the body armor business, the Company competes by attempting to
provide superior design and engineering and production expertise with respect
to its line of fully-integrated ballistic and blast protective wear. The
less-than-lethal product industry has become increasingly competitive and the
Company is one of many major manufacturers of such products. The Company
believes there are approximately 40 companies marketing less-than-lethal
products. The Company competes by attempting to provide a broad variety of
less-than-lethal products with unique features and formulations. There can be
no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to compete successfully
in the future. The principal competitive factors for all of the Company's
products are price, quality of engineering and design, production capability
and capacity, ability to meet delivery schedules and reputation in the
industry.

         The security services industry is extremely competitive and highly
fragmented. Companies within the security services industry compete on the
basis of the quality of services provided, ability to provide national and
international services and range of services offered, as well as price and
reputation. The Company's security services also face a wide variety of
competition in different areas, although there is no single organization that
competes directly with DSL globally. The main competition in supplying
security services to the petrochemical and mining industries comes from local
security companies, in-house security programs and small consultancy
companies. In the embassy and international agency protection business, the
competition comes from local companies and from the largest manned guarding
companies including the Wackenhut Corporation, Pinkerton's, Inc., Group 4 and
ICTS International, N.V. As the countries within which DSL operates become
more mature and stable, competition is likely to increase.

PROPERTIES

         The Company's principal facilities consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LOCATION                     PRINCIPAL USE                            OWNED/LEASED            APPROXIMATE SIZE
- --------                     -------------                            ------------            ----------------
<S>                       <C>                                      <C>                     <C>
Jacksonville, Florida        Manufacturing, distribution,             Owned                   7 acres 70,000 square
                             corporate headquarters                                           feet(1)

Casper, Wyoming              Manufacturing, Warehouse, Office         Owned/Leased (2)        60 acres 61,700 square
                                                                                              feet

Westhoughton, England        Sales, Manufacturing, Warehouse          Owned (3)               44,000 square feet

London, England              Sales, Office                            Leased (4)              6,500 square feet
</TABLE>


- ------------------
(1)  The Company has the capacity to expand the building facility to
     142,000 square feet.

(2)  Of the four properties at this location, three are owned by DTC. The
     fourth property occupied by DTC consists of two buildings. DTC owns
     one building and leases the other. The real property upon which
     these two buildings are situated is also leased. The leased building
     and the real property carry an annual rental of $26,400. The lease
     for this property expires on September 1, 1998.

                                      39

<PAGE>



(3)  AHL acquired the property from Bodycote International plc
     ("Bodycote") as part of the Company's acquisition of Supercraft.
     Bodycote was determined to have imperfect title to the property. If
     title to the property is not resolved by December 31, 1997, AHL will
     receive(pound)536,500, which was placed in escrow at closing.

(4)  DSL leases three floors and pays annual rent thereon in an amount
     equal to(pound)96,000. The lease for this property expires in March
     2002.

         In addition, the Company also leases a 50,000 square foot facility in
Yulee, Florida, the Company's former manufacturing facility, which it has
subleased at full rental value until April 30, 1999, the expiration of the
lease. The annual rent for this property is $130,960 plus annual increases.
See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The Company believes its manufacturing, warehouse and office
facilities are suitable, adequate and have sufficient manufacturing capacity
for its current and anticipated requirements. The Company believes that it has
adequate insurance coverage for all of its properties and their contents.

EMPLOYEES

         As of October 23, 1997, the Company had a total of approximately
3,500 employees, of which approximately 250 were employed in product
manufacturing and approximately 3,250 were employed in security services.
Approximately 45 employees employed by Supercraft are represented by the
General Municipal Boilermaker and Allied Trade Union. The collective
bargaining agreement currently in effect for these employees expires on
December 31, 1997. None of the Company's remaining employees are represented
by unions or covered by any collective bargaining agreements. The Company has
not experienced any work stoppages or employee related slowdowns and believes
that its relationship with its employees is good.

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

         The Company currently has numerous issued U.S. and foreign patents
and pending patent applications relating to its product lines. The Company
also has several registered trademarks concerning its products. The trademarks
include Gold Series GSX(R), Def-Tec Products(R), Distraction Device(R), NIK(R)
and Identidrug(R). Although the Company does not believe that its ability to
compete in any of its product markets is dependent solely on its patents and
trademarks, the Company does believe that the protection afforded by its
intellectual property provides the Company with important technological and
marketing advantages over its competitors. Although the Company has protected
its technologies to the extent that it believes appropriate, there can be no
assurance that the Company's measures to protect its proprietary rights will
deter or prevent unauthorized use of the Company's technologies. In other
countries, the Company's proprietary rights may not be protected to the same
extent as in the United States.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         The Company and its operations are subject to a number of federal,
state and local environmental laws, regulations and ordinances that govern
activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects. Such
activities or operations include discharges to air and water, as well as
handling, storage and disposal practices regarding solid and hazardous
materials. Such laws and regulations may impose liability for the cost of
remediating sites of, and certain damages resulting from, past releases of
hazardous materials. Environmental laws continue to change rapidly, and it is
likely that the Company will be subject to increasingly stringent
environmental standards in the future. The Company uses CS and CN chemical
agents in connection with its production of tear gas. The chemicals are
hazardous, and if not handled and disposed of properly could cause
environmental damage. The Company believes that it currently conducts its
activities and operations in substantial compliance with applicable

                                      40

<PAGE>



environmental laws. The Company believes that its potential liability under
the environmental laws, if any, would not have a material adverse effect,
individually or in the aggregate, on its results of operations or financial
condition. There can be no assurance in this regard, however, nor can there be
any assurance that environmental laws will not become more stringent in the
future or that the Company will not incur significant costs in the future to
comply with such environmental laws.

LITIGATION

         In November 1989, the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") conducted
an investigation into the accuracy of the Company's claims that body armor it
sold between 1988 and 1990 complied with testing and certification procedures
promulgated by the National Institute of Justice. On November 2, 1994, the
Company entered into a consent order voluntarily settling the FTC's charges
that the Company engaged in false advertising. Under the consent order, the
Company admitted no violations of law but agreed to establish a body armor
replacement program under which persons who had purchased body armor between
1988 and 1990 would be identified and offered the chance to buy new
replacement body armor at a reduced price. The consent order sets forth many
detailed requirements governing the conduct of the replacement program, the
retention of records and the avoidance of false or misleading advertising.
Failure to comply with the requirements could make the Company liable for
civil penalties. On January 4, 1995, the Company filed with the FTC a
comprehensive compliance report detailing the manner in which it was
performing the obligations imposed upon it by the consent order. In February
1997, the FTC asked for additional information, which the Company believes
will be the FTC's final request for information before closing the case.

         On January 30, 1997, the Company commenced an action in the Supreme
Court of the State of New York, New York County, against DTCoA, the sole
stockholder of DTCoA and the President and Chief Executive Officer of DTCoA
(collectively, the "Defendants") claiming that the Defendants breached their
agreements relating to the sale of the DTCoA Assets to the Company. The relief
sought by the Company includes monetary damages of approximately $515,000,
plus accruals, and punitive damages. On April 3, 1997, the Defendants filed
with the court an answer and counterclaims to the Company's complaint. The
Defendants have denied each of the Company's allegations and have asserted
several affirmative defenses. Defendants have counterclaimed for, among other
things, breach of the terms of the asset purchase agreement and the authorized
distributor agreement entered into in connection with the Company's
acquisition of the DTCoA Assets. The Company believes that the counterclaims
asserted against it are without merit, and intends to vigorously defend such
counterclaims.

         The Company and DTC, among other parties, have been named as
defendants in a product liability lawsuit claiming damages for wrongful death
resulting from the use by law enforcement officers of less-than-lethal
products sold by DTCoA. The Company's insurance carrier has assumed the
defense of this lawsuit, and the Company does not believe at this time that
the outcome of this lawsuit will have a material adverse effect on the
Company.

         In addition to the above, the Company, in the normal course of its
business, is subject to claims and litigation in the areas of product and
general liability. The Company believes that it has adequate insurance
coverage for most claims that are incurred in the normal course of business.
In such cases, the effect on the Company's financial statements is generally
limited to the amount of its insurance deductibles. Management does not
believe at this time that any such claims have a material impact on the
Company's financial position, operations and liquidity.

                                      41

<PAGE>



                                  MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of
the directors, executive officers and significant employees of the Company as
of October 23, 1997. Each director of the Company will hold office until the
next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company or until his or her
successor has been elected and qualified. The executive officers of the
Company are appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company and serve at
the discretion of the Board of Directors.

         NAME             AGE            POSITION
         ----             ---            --------
Warren B. Kanders......   39    Chairman of the Board of Directors
Jonathan M. Spiller....   46    Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Burtt R. Ehrlich.......   58    Director
Nicholas Sokolow.......   47    Director
Thomas W. Strauss......   55    Director
Richard C. Bartlett....   62    Director
Alair A. Townsend......   55    Director
Richard T. Bistrong....   35    Vice President--Sales and Marketing
Carol T. Burke.........   36    Vice President--Finance and Secretary
Robert R. Schiller.....   34    Vice President--Corporate Development
J. Lawrence Battle.....   46    President--Manufactured Products Division
David W. Watson........   45    Vice President--Chief Financial Officer

SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES:

Alastair G. A. Morrison...54    Chairman, DSL Holdings
Hon. Richard N. Bethell...46    Chief Executive Officer, DSL Holdings


         Warren B. Kanders has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company
since January 1996. From October 1992 to May 1996, Mr. Kanders served as Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Benson Eyecare Corporation. From June
1992 to March 1993, Mr. Kanders was the President and a Director of Pembridge
Holdings, Inc.

         Jonathan M. Spiller has served as President and as a Director of the
Company since July 1991 and as Chief Executive Officer since September 1993.
From June 1991 to September 1993, Mr. Spiller served as the Company's Chief
Operating Officer. Mr. Spiller is a chartered and certified public accountant
and was previously a partner in the international accounting firm of Deloitte
& Touche LLP, where he served for 18 years.

         Burtt R. Ehrlich has served as a Director of the Company since
January 1996. Mr. Ehrlich served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Ehrlich Bober Financial Corp. from December 1986 until October 1992 and as a
Director of Benson Eyecare Corporation from October 1992 until November 1995.

         Nicholas Sokolow has served as a Director of the Company since
January 1996. Mr. Sokolow is a partner in the law firm of Sokolow, Dunaud,
Mercadier & Carreras. From June 1973 until October 1994, Mr. Sokolow was an
associate and partner in the law firm of Coudert Brothers. Mr. Sokolow is a
Director of Rexel, Inc.

         Thomas W. Strauss has served as a Director of the Company since May
1996. Since 1995, Mr. Strauss has been a Principal with Ramius Capital Group,
a privately held investment management firm. From June 1993 until

                                      42

<PAGE>



July 1995, Mr. Strauss was Co-Chairman of Granite Capital International Group.
From 1963 to 1991, Mr. Strauss served in various capacities with Salomon
Brothers Inc ("Salomon"), including President and Vice-Chairman.

         Richard C. Bartlett has served as a Director of the Company since May
1996. Mr. Bartlett has served as Vice Chairman of Mary Kay Holding Corporation
since January 1993 and served as President, Chief Operating Officer and
Director of Mary Kay Inc. from 1987 through 1992. Mr. Bartlett has served as
Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1995 and Chief Executive Officer from
1994 to 1995 of The Richmont Group, a holding company with portfolio
businesses including financial services, apparel, sporting goods and
restaurant chains.

         Alair A. Townsend has served as a Director of the Company since
December 1996. Since February 1989, Ms. Townsend has been Publisher of Crain's
New York Business. Ms. Townsend currently serves as a Governor of the American
Stock Exchange. Ms. Townsend served as New York City's Deputy Mayor for
Finance and Economic Development from February 1985 to January 1989.

         Richard T. Bistrong has served as Vice President of Sales and
Marketing of the Company since February 1995. From 1993 to February 1995, Mr.
Bistrong held the position of Director of Retail Operations for Fechheimer
Brothers Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. From 1986
to 1992, Mr. Bistrong was an Executive Vice President of Point Blank Body
Armor.

         Carol T. Burke has served as Vice President of Finance of the Company
since January 1996 and as Secretary since March 1996. Ms. Burke joined the
Company as Controller in January 1995. From 1990 to January 1995, Ms. Burke
was a Senior Finance Manager at the Walt Disney Company.

         Robert R. Schiller has served as Vice President of Corporate
Development of the Company since July 1996. From 1994 to July 1996, Mr.
Schiller was a Principal in the merchant banking firm of Circadian Capital
Corporation and from 1993 to 1995 he was a Director of Corporate Finance for
Jonathan Foster & Co. L.P. From January 1995 to September 1995, Mr. Schiller
served as Chief Financial Officer of Troma, Inc., an independent film studio.
From 1991 to 1992, Mr. Schiller served as Vice President of the Special
Situation Investment Fund, an investment fund controlled by the Brooke Group.

         J. Lawrence Battle joined the Company on July 22, 1997 as President
of its Manufactured Products Division. From September 1996 until April 1997,
Mr. Battle served as Chief Development Officer of Physician Solutions, Inc.
From August 1994 to September 1996, Mr. Battle served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of Dayton Parts, Inc. From August 1992 to August 1994, Mr.
Battle served as President of Nutritional Support Services, L.P. From 1987 to
1991, Mr. Battle was Vice President and General Manager of the Automotive
Products Division of Ferodo America Inc., a subsidiary of T&N, plc.

         David W. Watson joined the Company on August 25, 1997 as its Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. From May 1994 until August 1997, Mr.
Watson served as Vice President of Finance of TT Group Industries, Inc., a
$150 million subsidiary of a United Kingdom conglomerate. From June 1986 to
September 1993, Mr. Watson was with Monsanto Company, most recently serving as
Division Controller--Performance Products. Mr. Watson previously served in
various financial capacities with ITT Corporation and Westinghouse Electric
Corporation.

         Alastair G. A. Morrison, OBE MC was one of four partners who founded
DSL Holdings in 1981. He served as Chief Executive of DSL Holdings from 1981
to 1995 and has served as a Director of DSL Holdings since 1981. Since 1995,
Mr. Morrison has served as Chairman of DSL Holdings. From 1961 to 1981, Mr.
Morrison was an officer in the Special Air Services of the British Army,
achieving the rank of Second in Command, 22 SAS Regiment.

                                      43

<PAGE>




         The Hon. Richard N. Bethell MBE has served as the Chief Executive
Officer of DSL Holdings since 1995. Mr. Bethell previously served as a
Director of DSL Holdings from 1991 to 1995. From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Bethell was
Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Leadership Trust, a leadership training
company for senior executives. From 1968 to 1988, Mr. Bethell served as a
Senior Officer in the Special Air Services of the British Army.

INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         On December 3, 1992, without admitting or denying any liability, Mr.
Strauss consented to an order of the Commission under which he was suspended
from associating with any broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer,
investment company or investment advisor for a period of six months, and paid
a civil penalty of $75,000. The central claim in these proceedings was that,
as President of Salomon, Mr. Strauss delayed in reporting an unauthorized bid
by the head of Salomon's Government Trading Desk who reported to one of Mr.
Strauss' subordinates. Mr. Strauss has maintained that he reported the
unauthorized bid both to Salomon's Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel
immediately upon learning of the unauthorized bid.

         Mr. Spiller was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company at the time the Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in
May 1992 through the confirmation on September 20, 1993 of the Company's Plan
of Reorganization.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Compensation, Nominating
and Option Committees. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to
recommend to the Board of Directors the compensation and benefits of the
Company's executive officers and other key management. During fiscal 1996, the
Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Sokolow (Chairman), Kanders and
Ehrlich.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

         The non-employee directors of the Company participate in the Amended
and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the "1996
Directors Plan"). See "Option Plans." Messrs. Kanders, Ehrlich, Sokolow,
Strauss and Bartlett and Ms. Townsend are all non-employee directors of the
Company. During 1996 each non-employee director, except for Messrs. Kanders
and Bartlett, was granted options to purchase 75,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price per share equal to the closing trading price of the Common
Stock on the date of the grant. No other compensation was paid to directors in
1996.

                                      44

<PAGE>




EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The following summary compensation table sets forth information
concerning the annual and long-term compensation earned by the Company's chief
executive officer and each of the other most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company whose annual salary and bonus during fiscal 1996
exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ANNUAL                 LONG TERM
                                               COMPENSATION (1)           COMPENSATION
                                    ----------------------------------- ----------------
                                                                           SECURITIES
                                     FISCAL                    ANNUAL      UNDERLYING   ALL OTHER
Name and Principal Position          YEAR         SALARY       BONUS       OPTIONS(#)   COMPENSATION
- ---------------------------          ----         ------       ------      ----------   ------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>       
Jonathan M. Spiller................. 1996       $160,000     $ 60,000       24,000      $ 5,775(2)
  Chief Executive Officer
  and President                      1995        160,000       21,000       18,000         --
                                     1994        140,000       62,000      432,000         --
Richard T. Bistrong................. 1996        120,000      107,000       50,000         --
  Vice President--
  Sales and Marketing                1995        120,000      105,000       50,000         --
                                     1994           --          --           --            --
Robert R. Schiller.................. 1996         44,201(3)    45,000      150,000       17,500(4)
  Vice President--
  Corporate Development              1995           --          --           --            --
                                     1994           --          --           --            --
</TABLE>


- ---------------
(1)  The Company has no long-term incentive compensation plan other than
     the 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan and the Amended and Restated
     1996 Stock Option Plan and various individually granted options. The
     Company does not award stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
     awards or long term incentive plan pay-outs.

(2)  Represents the dollar value of 7,500 stock award grants awarded to
     Mr. Spiller in December 1995, which options became fully vested on
     January 19, 1996. Does not include any amounts that Mr. Spiller may
     receive with respect to 91,823 shares of Common Stock upon the
     earlier to occur of (i) the sale by Kanders of at least 452,604
     shares of Common Stock or (ii) January 18, 1999. See "Certain
     Transactions."

(3)  Mr. Schiller became an employee of the Company on July 24, 1996. He
     was paid at an annual rate of salary of $120,000.

(4)  Represents compensation earned by Mr. Schiller in his capacity as a
     consultant to the Company prior to the execution of his employment
     agreement.

                                      45

<PAGE>



OPTIONS GRANTED IN FISCAL 1996

         The following information is furnished for fiscal 1996 with respect
to the Company's Named Executive Officers for stock options granted during
such fiscal year. Stock options were granted without tandem stock appreciation
rights.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                                                                                               ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                      NUMBER OF       % OF TOTAL                                                  PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
                       SECURITIES     OPTIONS       EXERCISE                                                OPTION TERM
                      UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO    PRICE      MARKET PRICE                  ------------------------------------
                       OPTIONS        EMPLOYEES IN  PER        PER SHARE ON     EXPIRATION
NAME                  GRANTED(#)(1)   FISCAL YEAR   SHARE      DATE OF GRANT(2)     DATE       0%($)           5%($)       10%($)
- ----                  -------------   ------------  ---------  ---------------- ----------   ---------     ----------    --------
<S>                       <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>              <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>       
Jonathan M. Spiller..     24,000        5.1           $ 1.00     $4.125         1/19/2006      $ 75,000    $137,261     $  232,781
Richard T. Bistrong..     50,000       10.7              .97      3.8125        1/18/2006       142,125     262,008        445,932
Robert R. Schiller...    150,000       32.1             6.06      6.06          7/24/2006             0     571,665      1,448,712
</TABLE>
                                                        
- -----------------
(1)  All options granted to such officers (except those granted to Mr.
     Schiller) have a term of ten years and were granted under the
     Company's 1994 Incentive Stock Plan. The options granted to Mr.
     Schiller have a term of ten years and were granted under the
     Company's Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan.

(2)  The market price on the date of grant shown for January 18, 1996 and
     January 19, 1996 is the bid price of the Common Stock as listed on
     the Bulletin Board on such date. The bid quotations represent
     inter-dealer prices, and do not include mark-ups, mark-downs or
     commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
     For this reason, and because of the low trading volume of the Common
     Stock at that time, such bid quotations may not be an accurate
     reflection of the fair value of the Common Stock on such dates.
     Therefore, at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Company
     obtained an independent valuation of the Common Stock during fourth
     quarter 1995 which valued the Common Stock at $0.77 per share, and
     the Company used this value in determining the exercise price per
     share of the options granted on such dates. The market price on the
     date of grant shown for July 24, 1996 for options granted to Mr.
     Schiller is the average of the high and low sales prices of the
     Common Stock on the AMEX on such date.

                                      46

<PAGE>



AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 1996 AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES

         The following table contains certain information regarding options to
purchase Common Stock held as of December 28, 1996 by each of the Named
Executive Officers. None of the Named Executive Officers exercised any options
during fiscal 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NUMBER OF SECURITIES                               VALUE OF
                                        UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED                      UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
                                        OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END               OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END (1)
                                ---------------------------------------         -------------------------------
Name                              Exercisable         Unexercisable          Exercisable          UNEXERCISABLE
- ----                              -----------         -------------          -----------          -------------
<S>                            <C>                   <C>                  <C>                   <C>
Jonathan M. Spiller...........      474,000                    0                $3,296,450           $      0
Richard T. Bistrong...........       50,000               50,000                   345,250            345,250
Robert R. Schiller............            0              150,000                         0            272,250
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1)  Calculated on the basis of $7.875 per share, the last reported sale price
     of the Common Stock on the AMEX on December 28, 1996, less the exercise
     price payable for such shares.

AGREEMENTS WITH KEY EMPLOYEES

         The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Jonathan M.
Spiller which provides that he will serve as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company for an initial term expiring January 17, 1999. The
agreement provides for a base salary of $200,000 effective January 1, 1997,
subject to increase by the Board of Directors, and for yearly bonuses based
upon the Company's net income. Mr. Spiller will also be entitled, at the
discretion of the Option Committee of the Board of Directors, to participate
in the Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Option Plan")
and other bonus plans adopted by the Company based on his performance and the
Company's performance. Mr. Spiller's employment with the Company will
continue, unless earlier terminated by Mr. Spiller or by the Company or due to
Mr. Spiller's death or disability, for successive one year periods, on terms
to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Mr. Spiller. See "Certain
Transactions" for a description of an agreement between Mr. Spiller and
Kanders pursuant to which Mr. Spiller, under certain circumstances, may either
purchase 91,823 shares of Common Stock from Kanders for $0.9302 per share or
receive the net proceeds of the sale by Kanders of 91,823 shares of Common
Stock reduced by $0.9302 per share.

         The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Richard T.
Bistrong which agreement provides that he will serve as Vice President--Sales
and Marketing of the Company for an initial term expiring January 17, 1999.
The agreement provides for a base salary of $120,000 and for yearly bonuses.
In addition to his base salary and bonus, Mr. Bistrong received non-qualified
stock options to purchase 21,250 shares of Common Stock and incentive stock
options to purchase 28,750 shares of Common Stock, in each case at an exercise
price of $0.97 per share of Common Stock. These options are exercisable for a
period of eight years from the date of the grant, and all of such options vest
on January 18, 1999. The vesting of the options may be accelerated on a pro
rata basis upon the occurrence of certain events. Pursuant to his employment
agreement, Mr. Bistrong will be entitled, at the discretion of the Option
Committee of the Board of Directors, to participate in the 1996 Option Plan
and other bonus plans adopted by the Company based on his performance and the
Company's performance. Mr. Bistrong's employment with the Company will
continue, unless earlier terminated by Mr. Bistrong or by the Company or due
to Mr. Bistrong's death or disability, for successive one year periods, on
terms to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Mr. Bistrong.

         The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Robert R.
Schiller which provides that he will serve as Vice President--Corporate
Development of the Company for an initial term expiring July 23, 1999, at a
base salary of $120,000 per year. Effective January 1, 1997, Mr. Schiller's
base salary was increased by the


                                      47

<PAGE>



Company to $130,000 per year. Mr. Schiller also received a one-time relocation
bonus of $45,000. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Schiller received
options under the 1996 Option Plan to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price per share equal to $6.06, the market price of the Common
Stock on July 24, 1996, the date of the grant. These options vest over a
period of three years from the date of the grant, and all of such options
become exercisable on July 24, 1999. The vesting of the options may be
accelerated on a pro rata basis upon the occurrence of certain events.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Schiller will be entitled, at the
discretion of the Option Committee of the Board of Directors, to participate
in the 1996 Option Plan and other bonus plans adopted by the Company based on
his performance and the Company's performance. Mr. Schiller's employment with
the Company will continue, unless earlier terminated by Mr. Schiller or by the
Company or due to Mr. Schiller's death or disability, for successive one year
periods, on terms to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Mr. Schiller.

OPTION PLANS

     1994 Incentive Stock Plan

         The purpose of the Armor Holdings, Inc. 1994 Incentive Stock Plan
(the "1994 Incentive Plan") is to attract, retain and motivate selected
employees and officers and to encourage such persons to devote their best
efforts to the business and financial success of the Company. The 1994
Incentive Plan was discontinued for the purpose of further stock option grants
on January 19, 1996.

         The 1994 Incentive Plan was administered by the Option Committee of
the Board of Directors. The Option Committee determined which employees and
officers were granted awards pursuant to the 1994 Incentive Plan. The 1994
Incentive Plan provided for grants of stock options and for grants of stock
grant awards. The maximum number of shares of the Common Stock reserved and
available for grant pursuant to the 1994 Incentive Plan was 1,000,000 shares.
Stock options granted under the 1994 Incentive Plan are incentive stock
options or non-qualified stock options and have an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of the grant. Options
granted under the 1994 Incentive Plan are exercisable no more than ten years
from the date of grant at any time after the first six months after the date
of grant. Options are not transferable other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution. Full payment for shares purchased upon exercise of an
option must be made at the time of exercise. Stock grant awards entitle the
recipient to acquire shares of the Common Stock without payment at dates and
upon conditions determined by the Option Committee. Stock grant awards are not
transferable. The 1994 Incentive Plan also provided for the grant of loans to
recipients of awards under such plan at the discretion of the Option
Committee.

     Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan

         The purpose of the 1996 Option Plan is to afford key employees and
consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries who are responsible for the
continued growth of the Company an opportunity to acquire an ownership
interest in the Company, and thus create in such persons an increased interest
in and a greater concern for the welfare of the Company and its subsidiaries.

         The 1996 Option Plan is administered by the Option Committee of the
Board of Directors. The Option Committee determines those individuals who will
receive options, the time period during which the options may be partially or
fully exercised and the number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased
under each option. Options granted under the 1996 Option Plan may be incentive
options or non-qualified options. The Option Committee may determine the
option exercise price of options granted under the 1996 Option Plan, provided
that incentive options granted under the 1996 Option Plan may not have an
exercise price of an amount less than the fair

                                      48

<PAGE>



market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. Under certain
conditions, the Board of Directors as a whole has the power to grant options
under the 1996 Option Plan.

         Generally, options may be granted only to employees employed and
consultants engaged by the Company or of any subsidiary corporation or parent
corporation of the Company. Directors who are also employees of the Company
are also eligible to participate. Consultants are eligible to receive awards
of non-qualified options, but are not eligible to receive incentive stock
options. No person who owns, directly or indirectly, at the time of the
granting of an incentive stock option to him, 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company will be eligible
to receive any incentive stock options under the 1996 Option Plan unless the
exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock
on the date of grant. Options granted under the 1996 Option Plan are not
transferable. Except under certain circumstances such as death, disability or
retirement and unless otherwise specified by the Board of Directors, options
granted under the 1996 Option Plan become null and void upon the termination
of an option holder's employment with the Company. Subject to certain limits,
the Board of Directors or the Option Committee may amend the 1996 Option Plan.

         At the annual meeting of stockholders held on June 12, 1997, the
stockholders of the Company approved the following four amendments to the 1996
Option Plan: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock available for option
grants under the 1996 Option Plan was increased by 250,000 shares to 1,750,000
shares; (ii) the governing law of the 1996 Option Plan was changed from
Florida to Delaware; (iii) the 1996 Option Plan was restated to comport with
recent amendments to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (iv) a
schedule was adopted to permit the grant of options to employees of the
Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries.

     Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan

         The purpose of the 1996 Directors Plan is to attract, retain and
compensate for service as directors of the Company highly qualified
individuals who are not current or former employees of the Company, by
permitting such directors to have a greater personal financial stake in the
Company through the ownership of Common Stock, in addition to underscoring
their common interest with stockholders in increasing the value of the Common
Stock in the long term.

         The 1996 Directors Plan is a formula plan pursuant to which
non-qualified options to acquire 75,000 shares of Common Stock will
automatically be granted to each Non-Employee Director on the date of his or
her initial election or appointment to the Board of Directors in consideration
for service as a Director. There are 450,000 shares of Common Stock reserved
for issuance under the 1996 Directors Plan. Under the 1996 Directors Plan
formula, the exercise price for all 75,000 options granted to each
Non-Employee Director under the 1996 Director Plan will be the closing price
on the date of the grant of the Common Stock as quoted on the composite tape
of the American Stock Exchange, or on such exchange as the Common Stock may
then be trading. Of the 75,000 options granted to each Non-Employee Director,
options to acquire 25,000 shares become exercisable upon each of the first
three anniversary dates following the date of the grant and all 75,000 options
granted to each Non-Employee Director shall expire ten years from the date of
grant. The exercise price must be paid in cash. If, on the day of the grant,
counsel for the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that the Company
is in possession of material, undisclosed information that would prevent it
from issuing securities, then the grant of options to Non-Employee Directors
will be suspended until the second day after public dissemination of the
information (or the first trading day thereafter). The amount, pricing and
other terms of the grant will remain as set forth in the 1996 Directors Plan,
with the exercise price of the option to be determined in accordance with the
formula on the date the option is finally granted.

         Upon retirement, a Non-Employee Director's options will continue to
become exercisable and must be exercised by the earlier of (i) 36 months
following the date of retirement or (ii) the expiration of the applicable

                                      49

<PAGE>



option period, or such options shall be forfeited. Upon a Non-Employee
Director's disability or death, those options held by the Non-Employee
Director for at least one year prior to the date of death or the date of
cessation of service following disability shall become immediately
exercisable. The Non-Employee Director or his/her legal representatives or
heirs must exercise such options by the earlier of (i) six months or 36 months
from the date of cessation of service due to disability or death,
respectively, as the case may be, or (ii) the expiration of the applicable
option period, or such options shall be forfeited. Should an individual cease
to serve as a Non-Employee Director for any reason other than retirement,
disability, death or cause, he/she will have 90 days within which to exercise
only those options which were exercisable as of the date he/she ceased to
serve as a director.

         At the annual meeting of stockholders held on June 12, 1997, the
stockholders of the Company approved two amendments to the 1996 Directors
Plan. As a result, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance
under the 1996 Directors Plan was increased by 150,000 shares to a total of
450,000 shares and certain adjustments were made to the 1996 Directors Plan to
comport with recent amendments to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act.

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<PAGE>



                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

         The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of October 23, 1997 by (i) each person
who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of the Common Stock; (ii) each director and Named Executive
Officer and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. Unless
otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders shown in the table below has
sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially
owned. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person named in the
table below is c/o Armor Holdings, Inc., 13386 International Parkway,
Jacksonville, Florida 32218.

                                                        AMOUNT AND NATURE
                                                          OF BENEFICIAL
                                                           OWNERSHIP
                                                   -----------------------------
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
DIRECTORS OR 5% STOCKHOLDERS                         NUMBER          PERCENT
- ----------------------------                       -----------    -------------
Warren B. Kanders and Kanders
 Florida Holdings, Inc.(2)......................... 3,937,178       24.6%
Nevis Capital Management, Inc.(3).................. 1,268,600        7.9
Richmont Capital Partners I, L.P.(4)...............   725,000        4.5
Jonathan M. Spiller(5).............................   690,205        4.2
Burtt R. Ehrlich(6)................................   239,100        1.5
Alastair G.A. Morrison(7).......................      210,257        1.3
Nicholas Sokolow(8)................................   155,000           *
Hon. Richard N. Bethell(9).........................   140,159           *
Richard T. Bistrong(10)............................    66,667           *
Thomas W. Strauss(11)..............................    75,000           *
Alair A. Townsend(12)..............................    30,516           *
Carol T. Burke(13).................................    25,000           *
Richard C. Bartlett(14)............................         0           *
Robert R. Schiller(15).............................         0           *
J. Lawrence Battle.................................         0           *
David W. Watson....................................         0           *
All executive officers and directors as a group
  (14 persons)(16)................................. 5,569,082       33.4%

- --------------------
*    Less than 1%

(1)  As used in this table, a beneficial owner of a security includes
     any person who, directly or indirectly, through contract,
     arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares
     (i) the power to vote, or direct the voting of, such security or
     (ii) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to
     direct the

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<PAGE>



     disposition of, such security. In addition, a person is deemed to be the
     beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire
     beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days.

(2)  Of such shares, 3,637,178 shares are owned by Kanders Florida Holdings,
     Inc., of which Mr. Kanders is the sole stockholder and sole director, and
     300,000 shares are owned by the Kanders Florida Holdings, Inc. 1996
     Charitable Remainder Unitrust, of which Mr. Kanders is trustee. Mr.
     Kanders disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the trust.

(3)  All such shares are owned by Snowden Limited partnership of which Nevis
     Capital Management, Inc. is the general partner. The address of Nevis
     Capital Management, Inc. is 1119 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland
     21202.

(4)  Includes options to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock. The address
     of Richmont Capital Partners I, L.P. ("Richmont") is 4300 Westgrove
     Drive, Dallas, Texas 75248.

(5)  Includes options to purchase 474,000 shares of Common Stock. Also
     includes 43,541 shares owned by Mr. Spiller's children, of which Mr.
     Spiller disclaims beneficial ownership. Does not include 91,823 shares of
     which Mr. Spiller may be deemed to have a beneficial ownership interest
     pursuant to an agreement with Kanders. See "Certain Transactions."

(6)  Includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock. Also includes
     13,400 shares owned by Mr. Ehrlich's children and 25,600 held in trust
     for the benefit of his children, of which Mr. Ehrlich's spouse is
     trustee, of which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Also includes 400
     shares owned by Mr. Ehrlich's spouse's individual retirement account, of
     which Mr Ehrlich disclaims beneficial ownership.

(7)  Mr. Morrison's address is 21 Embankment Gardens, Flat 6, London, SW3 4LW,
     United Kingdom. Includes 87,613 shares of Common Stock over which Mr.
     Morrison granted a beneficial ownership interest in to Martin Brayshaw, a
     former employee of DSL Holdings, pursuant to that certain Option Deed
     dated April 14, 1997, between Messrs. Morrison and Brayshaw. Such shares
     are separately being registered for resale. It is expected that Mr.
     Brayshaw will exercise his option for such shares and sell them following
     their registration. Upon the exercise of the option by Mr. Brayshaw, Mr.
     Morrison will beneficially own 122,644 shares of Common Stock.

(8)  Includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock. Also includes
     100,000 shares owned by S.T. Investors Fund, LLC ("STIF"), a limited
     liability company of which Mr. Sokolow is a member and 20,000 shares
     owned by Mr. Sokolow's children, of which he disclaims beneficial
     ownership. Also includes 10,000 shares owned by Mr. Sokolow's profit
     sharing plan.

(9)  Mr. Bethell's address is 60 Bromfelde Road, London, SW4 6PR, United
     Kingdom.

(10) Includes options to purchase 36,667 shares of Common Stock.

(11) Includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock.

(12) Inclujdes 5,516 shares of Common Stock and options to purchase 25,000
     shares of Common Stock.

(13) Includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock.

                                      52

<PAGE>



(14) Mr. Bartlett does not own any shares individually. Mr. Bartlett is
     Chairman of The Richmont Group, whose affiliate, Richmont, is the
     beneficial owner of 725,000 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Bartlett
     disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Richmont.

(15) Mr. Schiller does not own any shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to the
     terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Schiller was granted options to
     purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock on July 24, 1996 under the 1996
     Option Plan at an exercise price of $6.06 per share, the market price of
     the Common Stock on the date of the grant. The options vest over a period
     of three years from the date of the grant, and all options become
     exercisable on July 24, 1999.

(16) See footnotes (2) and (5-15).

                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

         On May 15, 1996, the Company issued options to purchase 300,000
shares of Common Stock to Richmont Capital Partners I, L.P. ("Richmont"), at
an exercise price of $7.50 per share, subject to adjustment (the "Richmont
Options"). The Richmont Options and the underlying shares, whether vested or
unvested, are callable by the Company in the event that the closing price per
share of the Common Stock is equal to or greater than $10.00 for a period of
ten consecutive trading days after December 31, 1997, upon written notice to
Richmont given within 30 days of the conclusion of such ten consecutive
trading days during which the closing price per share of the Common Stock was
equal to or greater than $10.00. In such event, the Company may require
Richmont to exercise the Richmont Options in whole with respect to all such
shares within ten days of such notice to Richmont. In the event that Richmont
does not exercise the Richmont Options, the Richmont Options will lapse.

         Richmont was also the holder of a Convertible Note in the principal
amount of $3.0 million. Richmont converted its Convertible Note into 600,000
shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Subordinated
Note Purchase Agreement on December 18, 1996. Including the 200,000 Richmont
Options which have fully vested and the shares into which Richmont's
Convertible Note were converted, Richmont is the beneficial owner of 6.6% of
the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Richard C. Bartlett, a Director of the
Company, is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Richmont Group, the
parent corporation of Richmont. Mr. Bartlett disclaims beneficial ownership of
any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Richmont.

         Kanders and Mr. Spiller entered into an agreement, dated as of
January 18, 1996, pursuant to which Kanders granted to Mr. Spiller a
beneficial ownership interest in 316,823 shares of Common Stock owned by
Kanders. On July 25, 1997, such number of shares were reduced to 91,823 in
connection with the Company's public offering of 4,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock. As part of such offering, Kanders sold an aggregate of 525,000
shares of Common Stock as part of the underwriters' overallotment option, of
which Mr. Spiller received the net proceeds of 225,000 shares. Such agreement
provides that, in the event that Kanders sells at least 452,604 shares of
Common Stock in a single transaction, then Mr. Spiller will have the option to
either (i) pay to Kanders an amount equal to $0.9302 per share, in which event
Mr. Spiller will be entitled to receive stock certificates representing such
91,823 shares of Common Stock, or (ii) receive the net proceeds relating to
91,823 shares of Common Stock that are the subject of the sale by Kanders,
reduced by $0.9302 per share. In the event that Kanders does not sell at least
452,604 shares of Common Stock as described above, Mr. Spiller's rights to the
91,823 shares of Common Stock will vest on January 18, 1999 so long as, at
such time, Mr. Spiller is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and his employment agreement with the Company is in full force and
effect and Mr. Spiller is not in breach thereof. If Mr. Spiller's employment
agreement with the Company is terminated due to his death or disability, or
without cause, prior to January 18, 1999, however, a pro-rata portion of such
91,823 shares of Common Stock, based upon the number of months elapsed from
January 18, 1996 in relation to 36 months, will vest to Mr. Spiller.

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<PAGE>



Unless sooner acquired by Mr. Spiller, Mr. Spiller shall have the right to
acquire any such vested shares of Common Stock on January 18, 2001 upon
payment by Mr. Spiller to Kanders of $0.9302 per share relating to such
shares.

         Burtt R. Ehrlich, a Director of the Company, was the holder of a
Convertible Note in the principal amount of $250,000. Mr. Ehrlich converted
his Convertible Note into 50,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms
of the Convertible Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement on December 18, 1996.

         Thomas W. Strauss, a Director of the Company, was the holder of a
Convertible Note in the principal amount of $200,000. Mr. Strauss converted
his Convertible Note into 40,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms
of the Convertible Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement on December 18, 1996.

         The Jeanne Kanders Revocable Inter Vivos Trust and the Ralph F.
Kanders Revocable Inter Vivos Trust, named for the parents of Warren B.
Kanders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, were holders
of Convertible Notes in the principal amounts of $150,000 and $100,000,
respectively. The trusts converted their Convertible Notes into 30,000 and
20,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, pursuant to the terms of the
Convertible Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement on December 18, 1996.

         The Company historically has purchased substantially all of the
ballistic resistant fabric used in the manufacture of its products from Clark
Schwebel, Inc. ("Schwebel"), a subsidiary of Springs Industries, Inc. and a
former holder of 45.7% of the outstanding Common Stock. Kanders purchased all
of the capital stock of the Company owned by Schwebel on January 18, 1996. The
Company's purchases from Schwebel totaled approximately $3.4 million, $5.1
million and $5.0 million in fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996,
respectively, and were made in the normal course of business at prices which
the Company believes were competitive with other available sources for such
materials.

                      DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL

         The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 50 million shares
of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 5 million shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"). As of October 23,
1997, the Company had 16,023,740 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding. The material terms of the Company's certificate of incorporation
(the "Charter") and bylaws (the "Bylaws") are discussed below.

COMMON STOCK

         Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share in the
election of directors and on all other matters on which stockholders are
entitled or permitted to vote. Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to
vote cumulatively for the election of directors. Holders of Common Stock have
no redemption, conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. There are
no sinking fund provisions relating to the Common Stock. Holders of Common
Stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Board of
Directors of the Company out of funds legally available therefor. The Company
does not anticipate paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the
foreseeable future. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy." In
the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the
holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in all of the assets
of the Company, if any, remaining after satisfaction of the debts and
liabilities of the Company. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and
the shares of Common Stock offered hereby by the Company will be, upon payment
therefor as contemplated herein, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

                                      54

<PAGE>



PREFERRED STOCK

         Under the Company's Charter, the Board of Directors is authorized,
subject to certain limitations prescribed by law, to issue the Preferred Stock
in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers,
preferences and relative participation, option or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including the dividend
rate, conversion or exchange rights, redemption price and liquidation
preference, of any such class or series. In addition, the Board of Directors
may fix the number of shares constituting any such class or series, and
increase or decrease the number of shares of any such class or series, but not
below the number of outstanding shares of any such class or series. The rights
of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely
affected by, the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock that may be
issued in the future. The issuance of Preferred Stock, while providing
desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other
corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a
third party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the
Company. The Company has no current plans to issue shares of Preferred Stock.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW

         The Company is incorporated under the DGCL. The Company is subject to
Section 203 of the DGCL, which restricts certain transactions and "business
combinations" between a Delaware corporation and an "interested stockholder"
(in general, a stockholder owning 15% or more of the corporation's outstanding
voting stock) or an affiliate or associate of an interested stockholder, for a
period of three years from the date the stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. A "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
Subject to certain exceptions, unless the transaction is approved by the Board
of Directors and the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting
stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by the interested
stockholder), Section 203 prohibits significant business transactions such as
a merger with, disposition of assets to or receipt of disproportionate
financial benefits by the interested stockholder, or any other transaction
that would increase the interested stockholder's proportionate ownership of
any class or series of the corporation's stock. The statutory ban does not
apply if, upon consummation of the transaction in which any person becomes an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least 85% of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by persons
who are both directors and officers or by certain employee stock plans). See
"Risk Factors--Effect of Certain Statutory Provisions."

         The Charter contains certain provisions permitted under the DGCL
relating to the liability of directors. The Charter provides that, to the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director of the Company will be
personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The Charter and Bylaws of the Company
also contain provisions indemnifying the directors, officers and employees of
the Company or individuals serving at the request of the Company as directors,
officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by the
DGCL.

         Section 203 and certain provisions of the Charter and Bylaws
described above may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or
discourage acquisition bids for, the Company. Section 203 and these provisions
could have the effect of inhibiting attempts to change the membership of the
Board of Directors of the Company. In addition, the limited liability
provisions in the Charter and the indemnification provisions in the Charter
and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against
directors for breach of their fiduciary duty (including breaches resulting
from grossly negligent conduct) and may have the effect of reducing the
likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even
though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited the
Company and its stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder's investment in the
Company may be adversely affected to the extent the Company pays the costs of
settlement and damage awards against directors and officers

                                      55

<PAGE>



of the Company pursuant to the indemnification provisions in the Bylaws. The
limited liability provisions in the Charter will not limit the liability of
directors under federal securities laws.

SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE

         As of October 23, 1997, the Company had 358,000 shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding non-qualified
options and 589,666 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding options under the 1994 Incentive Plan, 782,333 shares of Common
Stock reserved for the exercise of options issued pursuant to the 1996 Option
Plan and 300,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for the exercise of options
issued pursuant to the 1996 Directors Plan. As of October 23, 1997, options
for the purchase of 1,017,999 shares of Common Stock will be fully vested.

TRANSFER AGENT

         The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

LISTING

         The Common Stock is listed on the AMEX under the trading symbol "ABE."


                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

         On March 26, 1997, the Company entered into the Credit Facility with
Barnett Bank. The Credit Facility provides for a $20 million revolving line of
credit. In addition, the Credit Facility provides for a separate sublimit of
$5 million under an acceptance facility. The Credit Facility also provides for
issuance of letters of credit to the Company.

         The Company's indebtedness under the Credit Facility bears interest,
at the Company's option, at a rate of either (i) Barnett Bank's prime rate
less .25% or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate equal to 2.25% per year over the
LIBOR rate.

         As of October 23, 1997 each of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries (the
"U.S. Subsidiaries"), other than American Body Armor & Equipment, Inc. ("ABA")
and U.S. Defense Systems, Inc. ("USDS"), is a guarantor of the Company's
obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is secured by a
security interest in, among other things, inventory, accounts receivable,
equipment and general intangibles of the Company and each of the U.S.
Subsidiaries. In addition, as further collateral for the Credit Facility (i)
the Company entered into a Pledge Agreement with Barnett Bank pursuant to
which the Company pledged as further collateral for the Credit Facility, all
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of the U.S. Subsidiaries,
other than ABA and USDS, and (ii) NIK and DTC entered into a Collateral
Assignment with Barnett Bank (the "Collateral Assignment") pursuant to which
they each granted a security interest in the trademarks, patents and other
intellectual property owned by each entity. The Company agreed to cause any
newly formed or acquired subsidiaries to guarantee the Company's obligations
under the Credit Facility.

         The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including
limitations on the encumbrance and transfer of assets, the creation of
indebtedness and the maintenance of certain levels of tangible net worth and
working capital. In addition, the Credit Facility restricts the payment of
dividends. The Credit Facility matures on March 1, 1999, subject to extension
under certain circumstances.

                                      56

<PAGE>




                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         As of October 23, 1997, the Company had 16,023,740 shares of Common
Stock outstanding. Of these shares, 10,565,325 shares will be freely tradable
under the Securities Act, by persons who are not "affiliates" of the Company
(in general, an "affiliate" is any person who has a control relationship with
the Company). The remaining 5,458,415 outstanding shares of Common Stock are
deemed to be "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144, all
of which are eligible for sale in the public market in compliance with Rule
144. The Company, its officers and directors and certain existing stockholders
of the Company (who in the aggregate beneficially own 7,258,516 shares of
Common Stock) have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that they will not
offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any of the shares of Common Stock, or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, owned by them
until January 19, 1998 (the "180 Day Period") without the prior written
consent of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., as representative of the underwriters used
by the Company in connection with the Public Offering of 4,000,000 shares of
Common Stock in July 1997. Of such shares, approximately 4,304,000 are pledged
as security for loan obligations of certain stockholders. If such stockholders
were to default in their obligations and the bank were to foreclose on such
pledged shares, such shares could be subject to sale during the 180 Day
Period. Additionally, the Company has agreed that, during the 180 Day Period,
subject to certain exceptions, it will not issue, sell, offer or agree to
sell, grant any options for the sale of (other than employee stock options) or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, other than
pursuant to the Public Offering or in connection with future acquisitions.

         In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect any person (or
persons whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned restricted
securities for at least one year is entitled to sell, within any three-month
period, a number of shares of Common Stock which does not exceed the greater
of 1% of the number of then-outstanding shares of the Common Stock (16,023,740
as of October 23, 1997) shares outstanding immediately after the Offering) or
the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock during the four calendar
weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the
Commission. Sales under Rule 144 also may be subject to certain manner of sale
provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public
information about the Company. Any person (or persons whose shares are
aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company at any
time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned
shares within the definition of "restricted securities" under Rule 144 for at
least two years, is entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144(k) without
regard to the volume limitation, manner of sale provisions, public information
requirements or notice requirements.

         In connection with the DSL Transaction, the Company agreed to
register the shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in connection with
such transaction for sale under the Securities Act, pursuant to the terms of a
registration rights agreement between the Company and each of the holders of
such shares. Pursuant to the terms of the registration rights agreement, the
holders are entitled to one demand registration right. Such stockholders have
agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that they will not offer, sell,
contract to sell, transfer or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of
Common Stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable for shares of Common
Stock during the 180 Day Period without the prior written consent of Dillon,
Read & Co. Inc.

         The shares of Common Stock received by Richmont upon conversion of
the Convertible Notes have previously been registered. In addition, Richmont
also has certain piggyback registration rights with respect to such shares.

         Shares held by certain of the Company's executive officers and
directors are subject to a three year lock-up agreement (each a "Kanders
Lockup") between such executives and Kanders. Pursuant to the terms of a
letter agreement, dated January 18, 1996, each of such executives agreed that
he or she will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent
of Kanders, offer to sell, sell, grant any options for the sale of, assign,
transfer,


                                      57

<PAGE>



pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or dispose of certain of his or her
shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into, exercisable or
exchangeable for or evidencing any right to purchase or subscribe for, such
shares of Common Stock or dispose of any beneficial interest therein for a
period of three years from January 18, 1996, except as provided in such letter
agreement. Mr. Spiller, Mr. Ehrlich and S.T. Investors Fund, LLC have 646,664,
100,000 and 100,000 shares, respectively, subject to a Kanders Lockup. Mr.
Bistrong has 100,000 options subject to a Kanders Lockup and Ms. Burke has
45,000 options subject to a Kanders Lockup.

         No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that market sales
of shares of Common Stock that are restricted securities, or the availability
of such shares, will have on the market price of the Common Stock prevailing
from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock, or the
perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing
market prices for the Common Stock and could impair the Company's future
ability to raise capital through an offering of equity securities.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

         The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company by Kane Kessler, P.C., 1350 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10019. Robert L. Lawrence, a member of Kane
Kessler, P.C., owns 5,000 shares of Common Stock.

                                    EXPERTS

         The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company incorporated in
this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
for the year ended December 28, 1996 and from the Company's Registration
Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1 and the Supplemental Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company incorporated in this prospectus by
reference from the Company's Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1
have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent accountants, as stated
in their reports appearing thereon and have been so incorporated in reliance
upon such reports given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.

         The Consolidated Financial Statements of DSL Group Limited and
Subsidiaries incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1 as of December 31, 1996 and
for the period from June 3, 1996 (date of incorporation) to December 31, 1996
and of DSL Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1996 and 1995 and
for the two years then ended have been audited by KPMG, as set forth in their
reports thereon, which are incorporated herein by reference and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon such reports, given on authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

                                      58

<PAGE>




         No dealer, sales person or other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representation in connection with this offering
other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer
contained herein, and, if given or made, such information or representations
must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or any
Underwriter. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy the shares of Common Stock in any jurisdiction
to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in
such jurisdiction or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is
not qualified to do so. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale
made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that
there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----
Available Information...................................................3
Incorporation by Reference..............................................3
Prospectus Summary......................................................5
Risk Factors............................................................8
Significant Developments...............................................13
Acquisition Program....................................................14
Selling Stockholders...................................................16
Price Range of Common Stock and
  Dividend Policy......................................................17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................................................18
Industry Overview......................................................29
Business...............................................................31
Management.............................................................42
Principal Stockholders.................................................51
Certain Transactions...................................................53
Description of Capital Stock...........................................54
Description of Certain Indebtedness....................................56
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........................................57
Legal Matters..........................................................58
Experts................................................................58


                                    [LOGO]



                              ARMOR HOLDINGS,INC.



                                ---------------






                               4,000,000 Shares


                                 Common Stock





                                  PROSPECTUS


                             ___________ ___, 1997




                                ---------------

<PAGE>



                                    PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Section 145 of the DGCL makes provision for the indemnification of
officers and directors of corporations in terms sufficiently broad to
indemnify the officers and directors of the Company under certain
circumstances from liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred)
arising under the Securities Act.

              As permitted by the DGCL, the Company's Charter provides that,
to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director shall be liable to
the Company or to its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his
fiduciary duty as a director. Delaware law does not permit the elimination of
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect
of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit. The effect of this provision in the Charter is to eliminate the
rights of the Company and its stockholders (through stockholders' derivative
suits on behalf to the Company) to recover monetary damages against a director
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director thereof (including breaches
resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in the
situations described in clauses (i)-(iv), inclusive, above. These provisions
will not alter the liability of directors under federal securities laws.

              The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the Company) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request
of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such
person's conduct was unlawful.

              The Bylaws also provide that the Company may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such
person acted under similar standards, except that no indemnification may be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent
that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

              The Bylaws also provide that to the extent a director or officer
of the Company has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in the previous paragraphs or in the defense of any
claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith; that indemnification provided for in the Bylaws shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may
be entitled; and that the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of a director or officer of the Company against any liability asserted
against him or incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his
status as such whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify
him against such liabilities under such Bylaws.


                                     II-1

<PAGE>



ITEM 21.                 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

EXHIBIT   
  NO.     DESCRIPTION
- -------   -----------

2.1       Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 23, 1996, by and between
          American Body Armor & Equipment, Inc., a Florida corporation, and
          the Company (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the
          Company, dated September 3, 1996 and incorporated herein by
          reference).

2.2       Share Acquisition Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1997, between
          Bodycote, AHL and the Company (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K,
          Current Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated
          herein by reference).

2.3       Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Whole of the Issued Share
          Capital of DSL, dated April 16, 1997, between the company, AHL,
          NatWest Ventures Nominees Limited and Others and Martin Brayshaw
          (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company,
          dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

2.4       Share Acquisition Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1997, between the
          Company, Strontian Holdings Limited, Alpha-A Limited and Others
          (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company,
          dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1       Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
          Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated September 3, 1996 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

3.2       Certificate of Merger of American Body Armor & Equipment, Inc., a
          Florida corporation, and the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Form
          8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated September 3, 1996 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

3.3       Bylaws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Form 8-K, Current
          Report of the Company, dated September 3, 1996 and incorporated
          herein by reference).

5.1       Opinion of Kane Kessler, P.C., including consent.*

10.1      Loan Agreement between the Company and Barnett Bank, dated November
          14, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996,
          dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.2      Promissory Note, dated November 14, 1996, in the principal amount of
          $10 million, made by the Company for the benefit of Barnett Bank
          (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March
          25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.3      Acceptance Credit Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between the
          Company and Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-KSB for
          fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by
          reference).

10.4      Security Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between the Company and
          Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996,
          dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.5      Environmental Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between the
          Company and Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-KSB for
          fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by
          reference).

                                     II-2

<PAGE>




10.6      Waiver of Jury Trial, dated November 14, 1996, between Barnett Bank,
          the Company, NIK, DTC and Armor Holdings Properties, Inc. (filed as
          Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997
          and incorporated herein by reference).

10.7      Security Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between DTC and Barnett
          Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated
          March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.8      Security Agreement, dated November 14, 1997, between NIK and Barnett
          Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated
          March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.9      Security Agreement, dated November 14, 1996, between Armor Holdings
          Properties, Inc. and Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Form
          10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein
          by reference).

10.10     Guaranty of Payment, dated November 14, 1996, by DTC for the benefit
          of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal
          1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.11     Guaranty of Payment, dated November 14, 1996, by NIK for the benefit
          of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal
          1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12     Guaranty of Payment, dated November 14, 1996, by Armor Holdings
          Properties, Inc. for the benefit of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit
          10.12 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.13     Employment Agreement between Jonathan M. Spiller and the Company,
          dated as of January 18, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-KSB
          for fiscal 1995 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.14     Employment Agreement between Richard T. Bistrong and the Company,
          dated as of January 18, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-KSB
          for fiscal 1995 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.15     Employment Agreement between Robert R. Schiller and the Company,
          effective July 24, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-KSB for
          fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by
          reference).

10.16     Service Agreement between Alastair G.A. Morrison, the Company and
          DSL, dated April 16, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Registration
          Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1 of the Company and incorporated
          herein by reference).

10.17     Service Agreement between the Hon. Richard N. Bethell, the Company
          and DSL, dated April 16, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 10.17 to
          Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1 of the Company and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.18     Jacksonville International Tradeport Purchase and Sale Agreement,
          dated October 22, 1996, between the Company and Wilma/Skyland Joint
          Venture, Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal
          1996, dated March 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.19     Assignment of Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 22, 1996,
          between the Company and Armor Holdings Properties, Inc. (filed as
          Exhibit 10.33 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997
          and incorporated herein by reference).

                                     II-3

<PAGE>




10.20     Construction Escrow Agreement, dated October 22, 1996, between the
          Company, Armor Holdings Properties, Inc., GB Investment & Company,
          Inc. and Kent, Ridge & Crawford, as escrow agent (filed as Exhibit
          10.34 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.21     Agreement between Owner and Construction Manager, dated October 10,
          1996, between the Company, Armor Holdings Properties, Inc. and GB
          Investment & Company, Inc. as construction manager (filed as Exhibit
          10.35 to Form 10-KSB for fiscal 1996, dated March 25, 1997 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.22     Tax Deed, dated April 7, 1997, between the Company and Bodycote
          (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company,
          dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.23     Form of Escrow Agreement, dated April 16, 1997, between the Company,
          the Warrantors and Ashurst Morris Crisp (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to
          Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.24     Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 16, 1997, between
          the Company and the Vendors (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K,
          Current Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated
          herein by reference).

10.25     Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated March 26, 1997, between
          the Company and Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K,
          Current Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated
          herein by reference).

10.26     Renewal Promissory Note, dated March 26, 1997, made by the Company
          in favor of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K, Current
          Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein
          by reference).

10.27     Form of Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated March 26,
          1997, made by the Company and each of its U.S. subsidiaries, in
          favor of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K, Current
          Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein
          by reference).

10.28     Pledge Agreement, dated March 26, 1997, made by the Company in favor
          of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K, Current Report
          of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein by
          reference).

10.29     Form of Collateral Assignment, dated March 26, 1997, made by DTC and
          NIK in favor of Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Form 8-K,
          Current Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and incorporated
          herein by reference.

10.30     Amendment to Acceptance Credit Agreement, dated March 26, 1997,
          between the Company and Barnett Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Form
          8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated April 22, 1997 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.31     Consent with respect to Guaranty of Payment, dated as of March 26,
          1997, of DTC, NIK and Armor Holdings Properties, Inc. (filed as
          Exhibit 10.10 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated
          April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.32     Form of Guaranty of Payment, dated November 14, 1996 (filed as
          Exhibit 10.11 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated
          April 22, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

                                     II-4

<PAGE>




10.33     Form of Option for 300,000 shares of Common Stock, dated May 15,
          1996 granted to Richmont Capital Partners, I L.P. (filed as Exhibit
          10.34 to Registration Statement No. 333-28879 on Form S-1 of the
          Company and incorporated herein by reference).

10.34     Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, between the Company and members of
          senior management of GTL (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, Current
          Report of the Company, dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein
          by reference).

10.35     Taxation Indemnity, dated June 9, 1997, by Strontian Holdings
          Limited in favor of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K,
          Current Report of the Company, dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated
          herein by reference).

10.36     Services Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, between GTL, Alpha-A Limited
          and others (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the
          Company, dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.37     Service Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, between GTL and Mikhail
          Golovatov (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the
          Company, dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.38     Deed of Covenant, dated June 9, 1997, between the Company, Defence
          Systems Limited, DSL (Overseas) Limited, GTL and Igor Orekhov (filed
          as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated
          June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.39     Deed of Covenant, dated June 9, 1997, between the Company, Defence
          Systems Limited, DSL (Overseas) Limited, GTL and Mikhail Golovatov
          (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company,
          dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.40     Loan Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, between Strontian Holdings
          Limited and Defence Systems Limited (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Form
          8-K, Current Report of the Company, dated June 24, 1997 and
          incorporated herein by reference).

10.41     Stock Pledge Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, between Defence Systems
          Limited, Strontian Holdings Limited, Mikhail Golovatov and Igor
          Orekhov (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the
          Company, dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.42     Termination Agreement of a Joint Venture Agreement relating to GTL,
          dated June 9, 1997, between DSL (Overseas) Limited, Strontian
          Holdings Limited, GTL, Defence Systems Limited and Alpha-A Limited
          (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Form 8-K, Current Report of the Company,
          dated June 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.43     Agreement dated October 1, 1997, between the Company, DSL and Martin
          Brayshaw.

10.44     Form of Irrevocable Power of Attorney granted by Martin Brayshaw in
          favor of Jonathan M. Spiller.

23.1      Consent of Kane Kessler, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1).*

23.2      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

23.3      Consent of KPMG.

                                     II-5

<PAGE>


23.4      Consent of KPMG.

24.1      Power of Attorney (included in signature page to registration
          statement).

*         To be filed by amendment.


ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS

              The Company hereby undertakes

         1. To file, during any period in which it offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of the Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement; and

             (iii) To include any material information to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement.

         2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering.

         3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
the securities which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

         4. The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

         5. The Company hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered
with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference
in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of
Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Exchange Act; and, where interim financial
information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set
forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person
to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is
specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such
interim financial information.

         6. (i) The Company hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any
public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c),
the Company undertakes that such




                                     II-6

<PAGE>



reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the
applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be
deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other
items of the applicable form.

             (ii) The Company undertakes that every prospectus: (i) that
is filed pursuant to paragraph 6(i) immediately preceding, or (ii) that
purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415,
will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will
not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

              7. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.

              8. (i) For purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained
in a form of prospectus filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

                  (ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

              9. The Company hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.

              10. The Company hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.

                                     II-7

<PAGE>



                                  SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Company has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in City of Jacksonville, State
of Florida, on October 24, 1997.

                                ARMOR HOLDINGS, INC.



                                By: /s/ Jonathan M. Spiller
                                   ----------------------------
                                        Jonathan M. Spiller
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer
                                        October 24, 1997


                                     II-8

<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints each of Warren B. Kanders and Jonathan
M. Spiller, jointly and severally, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration
statement and all documents relating thereto, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature                  Title                            Date
- ---------                  -----                            ----

/s/ Warren B. Kanders      Chairman of the Board of         October 24, 1997
- -------------------------  Directors
Warren B. Kanders



/s/ Jonathan M. Spiller    President, Chief Executive      
- ------------------------   Officer and Director (Principal
Jonathan M. Spiller        Director (Principal Executive 
                           Officer                          October 24, 1997



/s/ Carol T. Burke         Vice President, Finance and
- ------------------------   Secretary (Principal
Carol T. Burke             Accounting Officer)              October 24, 1997


/s/ Burtt R. Ehrlich       Director                         October 24, 1997
- --------------------------
Burtt R. Ehrlich


/s/ Nicholas Sokolow       Director                         October 24, 1997
- --------------------------
Nicholas Sokolow


                           Director                         October   , 1997
- --------------------------
Thomas W. Strauss


/s/ Richard C. Bartlett    Director                         October 24, 1997
- --------------------------
Richard C. Bartlett


/s/ Alair A. Townsend      Director                         October 24, 1997
- --------------------------
Alair A. Townsend


                                     II-9
<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------

   The following Exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit No.  Description                                                  Page
- -----------  ------------                                                 ----
            
10.43        Agreement dated October 1, 1997, between the Company, DSL
             and Martin Brayshaw.
            
10.44        Form of Irrevocable Power of Attorney granted by Martin 
             Brayshaw in favor of Jonathan M. Spiller.
            
21.1         Subsidiaries of the Company.
            
23.2         Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
            
23.3         Consent of KPMG.
            
23.4         Consent of KPMG.
             
24.1         Power of Attorney (included in signature page to 
             registration statement).
            


<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 10.43


                               DSL GROUP LIMITED
                                EGGINGTON HOUSE
                             25-28 BUCKINGHAM GATE
                                LONDON SW1E 6LD


                30th September 1997

Martin Brayshaw, Esq.
Redhall
87 Main Street
Lyddington
Near Uppingham
Rutland LE15 9LS

Dear Martin,

I am writing to confirm the terms and conditions which have been agreed
between us concerning your departure from DSL Group Limited ("the Company").
We have agreed the following:

1.        Your employment by the Company terminated by mutual consent with
          effect from 5th September 1997 ("the Termination Date").

2.        After signing this letter of agreement, you will resign as a
          Director of the Company and all its subsidiary companies and as a
          Trustee of the DSL Group 1995 Pension Fund by signing the letters
          attached marked A and B.

3.1       The provision of this clause apply to the 87,613 shares of Common
          Stock of AHI in the name of Alastair Morrison over which you have an
          option pursuant to the Option Deed ("the Brayshaw shares").

3.2       On signing this letter of agreement, you will execute and delivery
          to AHI a power of attorney in the form attached marked C (the "Power
          of Attorney").

3.3       AHI will advance to you the sum of US$50,000:

   (a)    On the signing of this letter agreement; and

   (b)    On 31st December 1997, unless the Brayshaw shares have been sold
          before that date; each and any which sums are referred to in this
          letter as "the Advance".


<PAGE>




3.4       Unless the Brayshaw shares have been previously sold in whole or in
          part in sufficient amount so that pursuant to clause 3.5 below
          Brayshaw shall have received US $520,000 as soon as practicable
          following the date hereof and in any event no later than 31 December
          1997, AHI agrees to file with and use its best efforts on or before
          5th April 1998 to cause to be declared effective by the U.S.
          Securities and Exchange Commission an appropriate registration
          statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "Registration Statement"), which Registration Statement shall
          include the Brayshaw shares.

3.5       As and when the Brayshaw shares are sold, you shall pay to AHI, or
          direct the Attorney (as defined in the Power of Attorney) to pay to
          AHI, out of the net proceeds received from such sales such amounts
          as shall be sufficient to repay in full the Advance. After the
          repayment by you of the Advance to AHI, you shall retain out of the
          sum received from the sales of the Brayshaw shares the sum of US
          $520,000, or, if less, the net proceeds of sale thereof. As
          consideration for the obligations of AHI under this clause 3 and of
          the release contained in clause 4 below, you agree to pay to AHI, or
          direct the Attorney (as defined in the Power of Attorney), to pay to
          AHI, a fee equal to the net proceeds of the sale of the Brayshaw
          shares that are in excess of US $520,000.

3.6       If the Brayshaw shares have not been sold on or before 5th April
          1998, then on that date you will repay the Advance to AHI.

4.        In consideration of the fee payable by you under clause 3.5, AHI
          hereby releases you from all your obligations under clause 5 of the
          Acquisition Agreement in respect of the Warranties contained in that
          Agreement.

5.        You hereby acknowledge, warrant and represent to AHI and to the
          Company (for itself and as trustee for AHI) that to the best of your
          knowledge and belief there are no subsisting facts or matters which
          would permit AHI to make a claim against any of the Warrantors for
          breach of any Warranty.

6.        You acknowledge and confirm that it is expressly agreed between us
          that the provisions of clauses 12 and 13 and Schedule 2 to the
          Service Agreement remain in full force and effect and undertake that
          you will comply with those provisions in all respects.

7.        In consideration of the obligations of the Company and AHI under
          this letter agreement, you undertake to the Company for itself and
          as trustee for AHI:

   (a)     not in make, publish or otherwise communicate any misleading,
           disparaging or derogatory statement, whether in writing or
           otherwise concerning any group Company, or its respective officers
           or employees which is calculated to damage the reputation of any
           Group Company, its officers or senior employees or which you are
           aware or ought reasonably to be aware is likely to cause material
           damage to or damage or lower the reputation of any Group Company or
           its officers or employees.

   (b)     not to have any contact with or make any statement to the media
           relating to your involvement with any Group Company or your
           departure from the Company and to refer any enquires you may
           receive from the media in relation to such matters to the Chief
           Executive Officer of AHI.

   (c)     to keep the terms of this letter strictly private and confidential
           and not to disclose, communicate or otherwise make public the same
           to anyone save, in confidence, to your professional advisers or the
           relevant tax authorities and otherwise as may be required to be
           disclosed by law.

<PAGE>


8.        You undertake that at the cost and expense of the Company and at a
          rate of recompense of (pound)500 plus VAT per day or part thereof
          and in addition appropriate travel/accommodation expenses you will
          provide each Group Company with such information and assistance as
          the respective officers or employees may reasonably request from time
          to time relating to matters within your knowledge of their business
          and affairs including if necessary giving evidence as a witness in
          any legal proceedings relating to matters which occurred while you
          were employed by the Company.

9.        You undertake to the Company to return forthwith all property and
          documents which you have belonging to the Company and not to retain
          any copies thereof whether in hard copy form or otherwise.

10.       You accept the arrangements obligations undertaken by the Company
          and AHI in this letter agreement in full and final settlement of any
          claims you have or may have arising out of your employment, its
          termination or otherwise including any claims under statute of E.C.
          law save for any accrued pension right or industrial injury claim
          (you however hereby acknowledge that you are not aware of any claims
          which you may have against the Company, its shareholders, officers
          and employees in relation to industrial injury claims) which you may
          have against the Company and its shareholders, officers and
          employees (as to which no admission is made).

11.       You undertake that you have not presented or posted to theion or
          offices of the Industrial Tribunal an Originating Application or
          Issued a High Court Writ or County Court Summons in respect of any
          claim whatsoever arising out of your employment or its termination
          and that you will not do any of those things.

12.       You acknowledge that the Company and AHI have entered into this
          agreement in reliance on the undertakings and warranties given by
          you and that without prejudice to any other right or remedy of the
          Company and/or AHI herein the event of any material breach of such
          undertakings or warranties the Advance shall be repaid by you to the
          Company forthwith and in the event of default shall be recoverable
          by the Company as a bet.

13.       In this Agreement:

   (a)     the "Service Agreement" means and agreement dated 16th April 1997 
           made between the Company
           (1) and you (2) and Armor Holdings, Inc. (3);

   (b)     the "Option Deed" means a deed dated 14th April 1997 made between 
           Alastair Morrison (1) you
           (2) and the Company (3);

   (c)     terms and expressions used in this letter agreement have the same
           meaning as in the Service Agreement and (where applicable) in the
           Acquisition Agreement.

14.       To indicate your agreement to the matters mentioned above, please
          sign, date and return to me the enclosed copy of this letter
          agreement whereupon it shall constitute a legally binding agreement
          subject to English law between the Company, AHI and yourself. Any
          dispute relating to this letter agreement shall be subject to the
          non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England.




<PAGE>



Yours faithfully,

Duly authorized for and on behalf of DSL Group Limited

/s/ Richard Bethell
- --------------------------
Richard Bethell
Director

Accepted and Agreed on
behalf of Armor Holdings, Inc.


/s/ Jonathan M. Spiller                                   Dated October 1, 1997
- --------------------------------
Director, President & CEO

Accepted and agreed


/s/ Martin Brayshaw                                       Dated October 1, 1997
- --------------------------------
Martin Brayshaw

<PAGE>



                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.44


                         IRREVOCABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, Martin John Brayshaw ("Brayshaw"), hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints Jonathan M. Spiller with full power of substitution,
the true and lawful attorney-in-fact (the "Attorney") of Brayshaw with the
full power in the name of, for and on behalf of Brayshaw to exercise that
certain option for 87,613 shares of common stock (the "Shares") of Armor
Holdings, Inc. ("AHI") granted to Brayshaw by Alastair Morrison ("Morrison")
pursuant to that certain Option Deed dated April 14, 1997, between Morrison,
Brayshaw and DSL Group Limited ("DSL"), and to effect any and all sales of
Shares pursuant to that certain Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of 1
October 1997, between Brayshaw, DSL and AHI and to make the payments
referenced in clause 3.5 of the Agreement.

The power and authority granted to the Attorney hereunder shall include, but
not be limited to, the power and authority to instruct all appropriate persons
to sell and deliver the Shares in accordance with the instructions of the
Attorney, all in conformity with the terms and provisions of the Agreement.

This power of attorney is an agency coupled with an interest and all authority
conferred hereby shall be irrevocable.



           -----------------------------
              Martin John Brayshaw


On the    day of October 1997, before me personally came Martin John Brayshaw,
to me known to be the individual described in and who executed the foregoing
instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same.



           -----------------------------
                 Notary Public




           ------------------------------
                American Counsel


<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 21.1
            
                          SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY

                                                           JURISDICTION OF
SUBSIDIARY                                                 INCORPORATION
- ----------                                                 -------------

The following are direct wholly-owned 
 subsidiaries of the Company:

American Body Armor & Equipment, Inc.                      Delaware
Armor Holdings Limited                                     United Kingdom
Armor Holdings Properties, Inc.                            Delaware
Defense Technology Corporation of America                  Delaware
NIK Public Safety, Inc.                                    Delaware

The following are indirect wholly-owned 
 (except as otherwise noted)
subsidiaries of the Company:

Defence Technology Europe Limited                          England and Wales
Supercraft (Garments) Limited                              United Kingdom
DSL Group Limited                                          United Kingdom
DSL Holdings Limited                                       United Kingdom
Defence Systems International Limited                      United Kingdom
Defence Systems Limited                                    United Kingdom
Container Recovery Limited                                 England
Defence Systems (Jersey) Limited                           Isle of Jersey
US Defense Systems, Inc.                                   Delaware
USDS Zaire SARL                                            Congo (former Zaire)
Defencetse Systems Ecuador USDSE SA                        Ecuador
DSL (Overseas) Limited*                                    Cyprus
Gorandel Trading Limited                                   Cyprus
DSL Security (Asia) Pte Limited                            Singapore
Defense Systems (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.                  South Africa
Defence Systems Colombia SA**                              Colombia
Defence Systems Limited Sesegeur Peru SA                   Peru
Jardine Securicor Gurkha Services Limited+                 Hong Kong
DSL Security (PNG) Pty Limited++                           Papua New Guinea
Sapelli SARL                                               Congo (former Zaire)
USDS (Med) Limited#                                        Cyprus
Maximum Security Indochina Limited***                      Hong Kong
Defence Systems France EURL                                France
Defence Systems International Africa SARL##                France


- ----------
  *  99% owned subsidiary
 **  94.5% owned subsidiary
  +  20% owned subsidiary
 ++  50% owned subsidiary
  #  40% owned subsidiary
 ##  66.5% owned subsidiary

<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.2




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
- -----------------------------

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Armor Holdings, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement 
of Armor Holdings, Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated February 21, 1997 as
to the Company's consolidated financial statements appearing in both the
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Armor Holdings, Inc., for the year ended
December 28, 1996 and in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Number 333-28879), and our report dated February 21, 1997 (except for the 
pooling of interests with DSL as described in Note 1, for which the date
is April 16, 1997) as to the Company's supplemental consolidated financial
statements appearing in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Number 333-28879), and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
October 23, 1997






<PAGE>



                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.3

The Board of Directors
DSL Group Limited:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-4 of Armor Holdings, Inc. of our report dated 15 April 1997, with
respect to the consolidated balance sheet of DSL Group Limited and
subsidiaries as of 31 December 1996 and the related consolidated profit and
loss account and consolidated cash flow statement for the period from 3 June
1996 to 31 December 1996, and of our report dated 29 July 1996, with respect
to the consolidated balance sheets of DSL Holdings Limited and subsidiaries as
of 31 March 1996 and 1995 and the related consolidated profit and loss
accounts and consolidated cash flow statements for each of the years then
ended, which reports appear in the Form 8- K/A-1 of Armor Holdings, Inc. dated
20 June 1997, and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts".

/s/ KPMG

KPMG
London, England
23 October 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.4

The Board of Directors
Gorandel Trading Limited:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-4 of Armor Holdings, Inc. of our report dated 15 April 1997, with
respect to the balance sheet of Gorandel Trading Limited as of 31 December
1996 and the related profit and loss account and cash flow statement for the
period from 1 April 1996 to 31 December 1996, and of our report dated 29 July
1996, with respect to the balance sheets of Gorandel Trading Limited as of 31
March 1996 and 1995 and the related profit and loss accounts and cash flow
statements for each of the years then ended, which reports appear in the Form
8-K/A-1 of Armor Holdings, Inc. dated 11 August 1997.

/s/ KPMG

KPMG
London, England
23 October 1997



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