Domestic technical textiles Industry Segment-wise consumption of ...

PROTECH
Protech is an ensemble of textile products and related material used in the manufacture of various
protective clothing for personnel working in hazardous environment. The protective clothing includes
garments and related paraphernalia for protection from harmful chemical environment, extreme
temperature environments, low visibility, ballistic protection, etc.
Defence is one of the largest consumers of protective textiles. The Indian Defence Forces with a total
strength of around 1.5 mn individuals comprising the army, navy, air force. Approximately 25-30 %
of the troops are involved in high risk, counter insurgency & special operations in super high attitude
areas and require protective clothing. In addition, around 1.2 mn individuals are present in
paramilitary forces and other security forces. In addition, defence also requires uniforms / special
uniforms which have not been classified as technical textiles.
The usage of protective textiles in defence comprises the following:-
1. Bullet proof jackets
2. NBC suits
3. High altitude clothing
4. Fire retardant apparel
The annual requirement of these products for defence installations 22 is given below:-
Items Defence requirement
(units)
High altitude clothing Around 1.5 - 2 lakh
NBC suits Around 50,000
FR suits Around 1 - 2 lakhs
Bullet proof jackets Over 2 lakhs
The total usage of protective technical textiles in defence is estimated as around Rs 1,000 crore. With
increasing terror threats, the usage of bullet proof jackets and other protective clothing is set to rise.
For example, additional orders were placed in Jan 2009 to procure 20,000 bullet proof jackets on an
emergent basis by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for central police organisation including the
National Security Guards and the Central Reserve Police Force.
Most of these requirements are catered to by imports and part of it is supplied by domestic players
among which Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) is the largest supplier. OFB receives orders from
22 Analysis based on data/information received from Defence. IMaCS has made appropriate adjustments because of
insufficient data.