DIA-CoE at IIT Delhi Transfers Bulletproof Jacket Technology to Boost Indian Defence Industry

DIA-CoE at IIT Delhi has signed MoAs for the development of indigenous polymeric ballistic material with multiple industry partners for the limited series production of extreme cold weather and extreme heat protective clothing.

IIT Delhi Bulletproof Jacket Technology

The DRDO Industry Academia-Center of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi is committed to equipping the defence forces with indigenous, advanced technologies based on home-grown research. Significant resources have been dedicated to building an innovation ecosystem that brings together IIT Delhi, Indian industries, and DRDO laboratories, all focused on addressing the defence technology needs of national security. Under this vision, approximately 50 research projects have been launched across five technology verticals, with close oversight from DRDO, India's leading defence research organization.

Spearheaded by IIT Delhi faculty and coordinated with several DRDO laboratories, DIA-CoE is developing specialized technologies for the 'soldier-in-the-field.' These include the design and indigenization of lightweight, high-performance body armor, advanced aerostat and airship hull materials, smart soldier jackets, terahertz technology for energetic material spectroscopy, extreme heat protection jackets for firefighters, and high-altitude extreme cold weather jackets for soldiers.

Each research initiative is designed with soldier-specific technology demonstrators to ensure higher technology readiness, facilitating the integration of advanced systems into DRDO's future projects, with potential civil applications. In pursuit of excellence, nearly 100 faculty members, 200 research scholars, and staff at IIT Delhi have worked tirelessly to help realize the nation’s vision of becoming self-reliant (Atma Nirbhar) in defence and national security.

The first of the efforts is now evident with the technology transfer and signing of multiple Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) with industry partners for the indigenization of defence technologies. This includes the transfer of technology for the lightweight Bullet Resistant Jacket (ABHED- Advanced Ballistic High Energy Defeat), an MoA with Reliance Industries Ltd, Vadodara, for the development of indigenous polymeric ballistic material, and MoAs for the limited series production of extreme cold weather clothing (-60°C wind chill) and extreme heat protective clothing.

Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat

The ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat) Bullet Resistant Jacket, developed by Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar and his team, is one of the lightest bulletproof jackets of its kind in the world. It meets all the necessary threat criteria, including BIS V & VI standards, capable of stopping multiple shots. With this lightweight design, Indian defence forces will gain enhanced protection against adversarial threats, offering improved mobility and efficiency, especially in border areas.

The centre has also developed several other critical technologies, including High Power Diffractive Optical Elements, Quantum Communication Technologies, Terahertz Technology for spectroscopy and imaging, Brain-Computer Interface technology for cognitive robotics, Exoskeletons, and more.

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