DRDO develops indigenous jacket capable of withstanding AK 47 bullets

Experts from Defence Establishment DMSRDE, Kanpur, a unit of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), have developed a lightweight bullet proof jacket in the level six category. DRDO gave this information in an official statement on 23 April 2024.

• Army soldiers would no longer be in danger of being killed by AK-47 and sniper rifle fire from a distance of ten meters of the enemy during any operation.
• The Defence Materiel Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a wing of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has developed a bullet proof jacket weighing 9.5 kg that would keep soldiers safe even under the highest level of threat.
• This jacket would be helpful in protecting the soldiers from 7.62x54 R API (Bureau of Indian Standards 17051 level six) ammunition.

Successful trial conducted in TBRL Chandigarh:

• This bullet proof jacket has recently been successfully tested at Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. Six bullets fired one after the other from the sniper rifle on this jacket , it remained ineffective. This jacket has also been able to withstand AK 47 bullets.
• The front of this jacket has been ergonomically designed. It is made of a monolithic ceramic plate with polymer backing. A soldier wearing this jacket would not be injured by enemy bullets.
• TBRL Ramgarh Panchkula spokesperson Manoj Athwal said that the bullet proof jacket made in DRDO Kanpur has also been tested at many levels as per the current military requirement.

Feature of monolithic ceramic plate:

• Monolithic ceramic plate has been installed in the bullet proof jacket developed in accordance with level six of Bureau of Indian Standards No. 17051-2018.
• Monolithic ceramic plate is quite light and tough. This panel can withstand at least six bullets.
• There is no harm even if a steel bullet hits this plate.
• This is the first bullet proof jacket in the country that will provide protection from Level 6, the highest threat.
• This jacket successfully withstands six shots of front hard armor panel ICW (in-conjunction) and standalone design 7.62x54 R API (sniper round).

About Defence Materiel Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE):

• DMSRDE is a laboratory of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in Kanpur. It is engaged in the field of research and development of materials for the Indian Military Services including various types of protective clothing and equipment.
• It has been established as a globally recognized center of excellence to make the country self-reliant and leading in the field of strategic non-metallic and specialty materials.

Mission of DMSRDE:

• Development of products and technologies that have global recognition and acceptance.
• Designs, develops and evaluates advanced engineering polymers, elastomers and multi-performance composites for defence applications.
• To design, develop and manufacture light weight and extremely high performance polymers and composite materials for manufacturing personal protective apparel.
• Development of smart polymers, fibers and fabrics for a wide range of strategic applications like NBC, stealth, extreme cold, fire resistant and ballistic protection etc.
• Development of nano materials for fabrication of micro/nano electronic devices, sensors and new second generation materials.