In an effort to meet the critical shortage of bullet proof jackets, the Army is likely to issue a global tender or request for proposal(RFP) for more than 1,30,000 jackets in the next two to three days. These jackets are urgently needed for security personnel deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East.
Disclosing this here on Monday, officials said the defence ministry has instructed the Army to conclude the trials and contract negotiations in the shortest possible time. The last tender was cancelled in October last year after none of the jackets manufactured by some competitors could meet the stringent qualitative requirements.
The new proposed tender comes in the backdrop of the Army facing a shortage of more than 1,89,000 bulletproof jackets. The authorised number of jackets is nearly 3,54,000 and the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its report also expressed concern over such a big gap.
Meanwhile, a short term measure, the Defence Ministry has approved an Army proposal to buy at least 50,000 jackets at an urgent basis from Tata to meet critical operational requirements.
The Army wants light weight bulletproof jackets to enable the soldiers to move unhindered. The present lot of jackets are heavy and cumbersome.