Question : Procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets

(a) the stipulations of qualitative requirements for procurement of bullet proof jackets;

(b) whether the ammunition needed for testing bullet proof jackets is prohibited for international warfare under Declaration III of the Hague Convention of 1899 thereby making it difficult for the Army to purchase the same, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government imports ammunition for conducting trials on bullet proof jackets, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government is facing huge shortage of bullet proof jackets, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the action taken by the Government to fast track the procurement of bullet proof jackets in the country?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)
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(a) to (e): The stipulations for procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs), inter alia, include that BPJs should be modular and provide protection to vital areas of the body and should be convenient and comfortable to wear and should not impede the movement and functioning of the soldier while carrying out operational duties.

Ordnance Factories made ammunition has been primarily used in recent trials of BPJs. Only one type of ammunition has been provided by a reputed international firm for trials on ‘No Cost-No Commitment Basis’. The ammunition used for trials is not prohibited as per Declaration III of the Hague Convention of 1899. A supply order has been placed for procurement of BPJs in March, 2016.
Government constantly reviews the security scenario and, accordingly, decides to induct appropriate defence equipment to keep the armed forces in a state of readiness and remaining equipped with modern weapon systems. Mismatches between requirements and availability can sometimes occur which are continually addressed by the on-going procurement process.

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