The procurement would be done in phases over a 12 to 24-month period after all modalities were finalised

The Indian Army has issued a tender for 47,627 bulletproof jackets to protect its frontline troops from lethal steel core bullets.

The Ministry of Defence issued the tender for the jackets under Make in India and the procurement would be done in phases over a 12 to 24-month period after all modalities were finalised. User trials were completed, according to defence sources.

According to the Army's specifications, bulletproof jackets should be able to protect a soldier from 7.62 mm armour-piercing rifle ammunition as well as steel core bullets fired from a distance of 10 metres. 

Bulletproof jackets used to protect against armour-piercing ammunition, which has a higher velocity than other bullets, should weigh less than 10 kg, while those used to protect against steel core rounds should not weigh more than 11.8 kg in the case of large-sized jackets.

For many years, the army has suffered from a shortage of bulletproof jackets and in the past, the procurement process, as well as trials, have sparked debate about the source as well as the quality.

The Indian Army is expected to issue another tender for full-body bulletproof jackets produced by a selected Indian defence industry partner.