Toga consists of special thin, lightweight carbon steel frame some distance from and parallel to the vehicle's hull. When a bullet hits the Toga armour it is deflected from its trajectory and becomes implanted in the armour, so that it does not reach the actual hull of the vehicle.
Toga provides protection against penetration from Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) rounds fired by automatic weapons up to 14.5 mm in calibre, for example the KPV 14.5 mm machine gun which is fitted (CIS) armoured vehicles including the BTR-60, BTR-70 and BTR-80 (8x
APCs and the BRDM-2 (4x4) amphibious scout car.
In the case of the M113, the Toga armour is normally fitted to the hull front and sides with some of the space between the armour and hull sides being used for stowage of the troops' equipment. Access panels are provided in the glacis armour to allow access to the normal engine hatches for maintenance work.