Bulletproof jackets based on BIS standards safer: Paswan

New Delhi: Hailing the standardisation of Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday said that bullet-resistant jackets manufactured according to the national BIS standards are safer, lighter, 50 per cent cheaper and even being exported.

The formulation of the BIS standard on the bullet-resistant jacket has placed India in the select league of nations like the US, UK and Germany who have their own national standard.

"BIS has formulated a national standard on bulletproof jacket which will promote Make in India. This jacket is of the best quality in the world and is also lighter in weight which is convenient for our jawans. Prices of these jackets are 50 per cent lower and as a result, more exports are taking place," Paswan said adding that there is a demand of 3.5 lakh such jackets.

"This jacket is better in all parameters. It is of best quality in has (sic) better safety mechanism. It is lightweight as well as cheaper by 50 per cent," he added. These jackets have a weight in the range of 5.5 kg to 10 kg, almost half than the other jacket and also have a quick-release system. Prices are around Rs 70,000 per piece.

The BIS standard, which has been formulated on the direction of Home Ministry and Niti Aayog prescribes the minimum performance requirements of bullet resistance jackets for protection against small arms and ammunition.