New Delhi: Indian Army is going to buy 47,627 bulletproof jackets for the soldiers posted on the border. The army has also issued tender for the same. This jacket is available to the frontline soldiers in 7.62 mm. The steel cores fired from close range as well as bullets will be able to protect against bullets. This procurement process will be completed within two years. Bulletproof jackets to protect ammunition should not weigh less than 10 kg and steel core bullet protection jackets should not exceed 11.8 kg.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the purchase of bulletproof jackets on July 26. The Ministry of Defence has issued a tender for the purchase of 47,627 bulletproof jackets under ‘Make in India’. The purchase will be completed over a period of 12 to 24 months after all modalities are finalised and user trials are over. In the tender issued, it is expected that these bulletproof jackets can protect the soldier from bullets fired from a distance of 10 meters along with 7.62 mm rifle ammunition. Bulletproof jackets to protect ammunition should not weigh less than 10 kg and steel core bullet protection jackets should not exceed 11.8 kg.
Keeping in mind the safety of soldiers, there has been a demand for bullet proof jackets for a long time. Earlier, on April 9, 2018, the Defence Ministry had announced the acquisition of 1,86,138 bulletproof jackets from indigenous company SMPP Pvt Ltd at a cost of ₹639 crore. Within three years, about two and a half lakh bullet proof jackets have been received by the army. Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik handed over the one lakhth bullet proof jacket to the then Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane at a function on January 06, 2021. Despite this, there is still a shortage of bulletproof jackets in the army, for which this tender has been issued. After this, another tender is expected to be floated for full-body protection bulletproof jacket.
This company is also exporting this bullet proof jacket worldwide. The company has already supplied bulletproof jackets to Indian Air Force, Naval Commandos, Paramilitary Forces like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Security Guard (CISF). Apart from this, it has also supplied its products to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG) and State Police Forces of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Kolkata and various forces across the world.
When a bullet hits a bulletproof jacket, it first hits the ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is very strong, so as soon as it hits it, the front sharp end of the bullet breaks into pieces. When this happens, the speed of the bullet decreases and it is not able to penetrate easily. Upon hitting the ceramic layer, the bullet breaks up releasing a large amount of energy which is absorbed by the ballistic layer. When this happens, the soldier wearing the bulletproof jacket gets the least damage and thus the bulletproof jacket keeps the soldier safe by reducing the impact of the bullet. In this jacket, the helmet, neck, elbow and waist parts can be disassembled as needed, such as the back of the jacket can be removed during patrolling.
