New Delhi, Apr 24: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced the development of the country’s lightest bulletproof jacket, designed to provide protection against the highest threat level 6, according to an official statement.
The Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) in Kanpur has achieved this milestone by successfully crafting the lightest Bulletproof Jacket capable of withstanding 7.62 x 54 R API (Level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition, the Ministry of Defence stated.
Recently, rigorous testing of the bulletproof jacket was conducted at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, in compliance with BIS 17051-2018 standards. The jacket’s design incorporates innovative materials and manufacturing processes, signifying a breakthrough in protective gear development.
The front Hard Armour Panel (HAP) of this jacket demonstrates remarkable resilience, capable of withstanding multiple hits (06 shots) of 7.62 x 54 R API (Sniper rounds) in both ICW (In-conjunction with) and Standalone configurations. Notably, the ergonomically designed front HAP comprises a monolithic ceramic plate with polymer backing, enhancing wearability and comfort during operations. The areal density of the ICW Hard Armour Panel (HAP) and standalone HAP is less than 40 kg/m2 and 43 kg/m2, respectively.
Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO commended DMSRDE for achieving this significant milestone in the development of lightweight bulletproof jackets tailored to counter the most formidable threats.
