DRDO Partners to advance defence textile technologies

In a major advancement for defence textile production, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and 10 companies have signed agreements to develop and produce advanced textile-based products for the armed forces.

The transfer of technology for the lightweight bullet-resistant jacket, Advanced Ballistic High Energy Defeat (ABHED), has been formalized with three companies: MIDHANI (Mishra Dhatu Nigam), SMPP Delhi, and AR Polymers (MKU) Kanpur. Developed by Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar and his team, the ABHED jacket is among the lightest bulletproof jackets globally, meeting Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) V & VI threat criteria and capable of stopping multiple shots.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed with Reliance Industries Ltd to develop indigenous ballistic materials. Another MoA was finalized with Tirupur-based Arrow Garments, Aeronav Industrial Safety Appliance, and Arnaf Industries Ltd for limited series production of extreme cold-weather clothing (-60°C wind chill). Additionally, Arrow Garments, Aeronav, and Katalyst Techtex Ltd, Delhi, will produce extreme heat-protective clothing.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed with Reliance Industries Ltd to develop indigenous ballistic materials. Another MoA was finalized with Tirupur-based Arrow Garments, Aeronav Industrial Safety Appliance, and Arnaf Industries Ltd for limited series production of extreme cold-weather clothing (-60°C wind chill). Additionally, Arrow Garments, Aeronav, and Katalyst Techtex Ltd, Delhi, will produce extreme heat-protective clothing.