The bullet resistance of laminates comprised of several layers of aramid Armos fabric has been studied. The high bullet resistance of the fabric is caused by the pulling-out of yarns impacted by the bullet. The pull-out zone is cross-shaped, the centre being the impact point. The length and the width of the pull-out zone was determined for each fabric layer. Energy transferred to fibres increases with the volume of the pull-out zone. Water reduces the bullet resistance of laminates owing to reduction of the width of the zone. The length of the pull-out zone is shorter if the transverse displacement of layers is restricted. At a projectile velocity of 420 m s(-1), Armos yarns do not break immediately on impact, and the longitudinal wave propagates along the fibre. Friction of yarns in aramid fabric was studied by a yarn pull-out method.