Weighing 8.2 kgs and 9.5 kgs for different BIS levels, these modular-design jackets provide 360 degree protection, stated the MoD
By Vikas Gupta
Defence News of India, 27th Sept 24
On orders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established collaborative research facilities called DRDO-industry-academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE), at premier academic institutes in the country.
These include “directed research eco-systems”, that pursue collaboration among DRDO laboratories, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi).
“DIA-CoEs will pursue research both in developing the cutting-edge technologies and in the areas of denied defence technologies,” says its website.
Announcing success on Wednesday, in the critical field of personal protection, the MoD announced: “DRDO, along with researchers of IIT Delhi has developed light weight bullet proof jackets named ABHED (advanced ballistics for high energy defeat). The jackets have been developed at the DIA-CoE at IIT, Delhi.
For decades, Indian soldiers have been taking casualties for the shortfall of BPJs that can absorb the impact of bullets fired by militants and Pakistan army soldiers. That will no longer be so.
“The armour plates for the jackets have passed all necessary R&D trials as per the protocols. The jackets meet the highest threat levels, and are lighter than the maximum weight limits stipulated [by]… the Indian Army. With minimum possible weight of 8.2 kgs and 9.5 kgs for different BIS Levels, these modular-design jackets having front and rear armour provide 360 degree protection,” stated the MoD release.
Describing the breakthrough the MoD stated: “These jackets have been created from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic material. The design configuration is based on characterisation of various materials at high strain rate followed by appropriate modelling and simulation in collaboration with DRDO.”
Manufacture of the BPJs will be done by the private sector, said the MoD. “Based on the selection-criteria matrix, some Indian industries were shortlisted for transfer of technology and handholding. The Centre is ready to transfer the technology to three industries.”
The DRDO has already established 15 DIA-CoEs so far. The research verticals of those partnering IIT Delhi encompass the technologies of Advanced Ballistics and Protection, Advanced Electromagnetic Devices and Terahertz technologies, Brain Computer Interface and Brain Machine Intelligence, Photonic Technologies, Plasmonics, Laser and Quantum Photonics and Smart and Intelligent Textile Technologies.
Such DIA-CoEs aim to harness and synergize the combined strength of academia, student community, research fellows, niche technology industries and DRDO scientist to provide impetus to research & innovations in identified futuristic defence technological domains.
