‘1.86 lakh bullet-proof jackets to be Procured by April next year’

The shortage of bullet-proof jackets for armed forces is being met through procurement of 1.86 lakh such jackets by April 2020 for nearly Rs 639 crore, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh informed Rajya Sabha on 08 July, 2019.

Replying to questions, the minister said there was no embargo on the import of raw material from China for making such bullet-proof jackets, and any supplier violating the tender norms would face action and could be disqualified.

The minister also assured the House that the government has no plans to reduce the justified benefits provided to armed personnel with disabilities.

“In 2009, there was a shortage of 3,53,755 bullet proof jackets in the country, but procurement was not done for a long time. An RFP for procurement of 1,86,138 bullet proof jackets has been issued in April 2016 and the tender in this regard was allotted on April 9, 2018 to an Indian buyer.

“The total value of the contract is for Rs 638.97 crore, for procurement of 1,86,138 bullet proof jackets, which will be supplied within 36 months and it has to be completed by April 8, 2020,” the minister told the house.