Even after 10 yrs, 1.18-million strong Indian Army will get 50,000 modern bullet-proof jackets

Finally, after a 10-year long wait, the Indian Army would be getting 50,000 new bullet-proof jackets, however, the requirement is for 3,53,765.

An emergency procurement deal was signed for 50,000 vests worth Rs 140 crore, which will be delivered by January 2017.

The army requires modern light-weight jackets that adequately protect the head, neck, chest, groin and sides of foot-soldiers.
However, the procurement is paltry against the 1.18-million strong Army.

As per a TOI report, a "capital procurement" of 1.86 lakh modular jackets was scrapped in October 2015 because the samples offered by six vendors "failed" to clear field trials.

However, when the samples failed to meet requirements, the Army vice-chief's existing financial powers were relaxed to ensure the urgent purchase of 50,000 jackets based on older technical specifications.

Now, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has introduced a prototype bullet-proof jacket, which also aims to protect against AK-47s and self-loading rifle bullets.

The critical shortage of bullet-proof jackets have attracted criticism from all quarters as people say government is playing with the lives of the soldiers.

(Image: Indiatimes)