DRDO and IIT Delhi Develop Lightweight Bulletproof Jackets 'ABHED'

DRDO and IIT Delhi have unveiled advanced lightweight bulletproof jackets named ABHED. Developed at DIA-CoE, the jackets use indigenous materials and provide 360-degree protection, meeting the highest threat levels. The technology is now ready for transfer to Indian industries.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) alongside Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi researchers have introduced a groundbreaking lightweight bulletproof jacket named ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat). The announcement was made via a Ministry of Defence press release.

These state-of-the-art jackets utilize polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic materials. According to the release, the design is based on the characterization of various materials at high strain rates, followed by advanced modeling and simulation. The armour plates have successfully passed all research and development trials and comply with the highest threat level standards. Weighing between 8.2 and 9.5 kilograms for different BIS levels, the modular jackets provide 360-degree protection with front and rear armors.

The technology is set for transfer to three selected Indian industries, in alignment with General Staff Qualitative Requirements of the Indian Army. Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, praised the collaborative achievement. Formed in 2022, the DIA-CoE focuses on integrating industry and academia for defence R&D projects and has been actively working on advanced technologies through a collaborative ecosystem.