Indian Army to get ‘steel-piercing’ bulletproof jackets, helmets by year-end

The Indian Army troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) and in operational areas will get bulletproof jackets and helmets that can protect troops from 'steel piercing' bullets by the year-end. As part of the Indian Army's emergency procurement, four contracts have been granted for procurement of bulletproof jackets, helmets, shields and Sikh helmets.

Vikramjeet Singh Mann, who heads the Sales and Marketing wing of SMPP, the company which got the contracts, told Republic that Indian Army jawans will be getting bulletproof jackets and helmets that can provide protection from deadly “steel-piercing” bullets.

The supply will start in the next couple and months and most likely by year end, troops will have a new level of protection. The Indian Army has procured 15,000 steel bulletproof jackets, 15,000 helmets, 12,000 Sikh helmets and over 1,400 bulletproof shields.

"These jackets provide BIS level-6 protection and helmets provide level 3+ protection, which are the best in the world as of now. The Indian Army will have world-class protection with these jackets and helmets that can provide protection from ‘steel-piercing’ bullets as well as sniper shots. These have been tested in service and tested by DRDO as well. It is for the first time that these bulletproof vests of level 6 protection have been procured by the Indian Army," Mann added.

Four emergency procurements made by the Indian Army as part of its self-reliance programme: Officials

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan informed that four emergency procurements have been made by the Indian Army as part of its self-reliance programme.

“The fourth emergency procurement is of indigenous sources, which show we had faith in it. Last year, 68 per cent of the procurement was indigenous. The traditional view that local products aren't good are changing now,” Chauhan said.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan hinted at potential use of drones for targeting terror camps across the border. General Chauhan revealed that there are drones available with a capability to target locations up to 100km away. He emphassed that the forces have already acquired these drones, which are not intended for mere target practice but rather for operational use.