Question : Special Uniforms

(a) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the requirement of special uniforms for the protection of soldiers on border areas / field posting and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to make time bound procurement of bulletproof jackets and protective equipment / clothing for the soldiers and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which the said procurements is likely to be completed; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to formulate any policy to ensure periodic review and upgradation of the uniforms of soldiers and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) Requirement for special uniforms for safety of soldiers deployed on borders / field areas in the county is assessed regularly and provision for introduction of new items / improved version of existing items is made as per prescribed procedure.

(b) & (c): The Government undertakes procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) and other necessary protective equipment / clothing for soldiers from time to time as per authorization. During 2016-17, 50,000 BPJs have been procured for Indian Army through Revenue route. Procurement of 1,86,138 BPJs through Capital route is under progress in Buy (Indian) category. Further, a contract for procurement of 1,58,279 Ballistic Helmet through Capital route has been concluded in December 2016.

(d) Upgradation and provision of improved version of special uniforms is a continuous process for which necessary steps are taken regularly.
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