Women Troopers To Finally Get Customised Armours

Women police and paramilitary personnel in India will finally get the customised body protection gear, also known as Full Body Protector (FBP). Right from the beginning, they were wearing suits designed for men. The announcement that the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was working on Full Body Protector was made by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January itself. The announcement was made by him while he was attending the Indian Science Congress. According to the Times of India, DRDO is now ready to hand over the technology to industry for mass production.

What is Full Body Protector?

It is used by law protecting personnel like police, paramilitary personnel, etc. The FBP is a personal protective ensemble that saves the one wearing it against brick bats, acid attacks, knives, canes, and projectiles encountered in a situation like a riot or other violent encounters.

“Besides, all the state police too have many women today, with several of them being promoted to high ranks. The timing is perfect and I’m glad they thought of it and worked on it so quickly.”

Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS officer lauded the introduction of FBP for women and said that the time for this couldn’t have been better. She also added that today, there are more women on the forefront everywhere, in the BSF, Assam Rifles and even in the army. “Besides, all the state police too have many women today, with several of them being promoted to high ranks. The timing is perfect and I’m glad they thought of it and worked on it so quickly.” she added.

Designed to suit female anthropometry

The FBP is designed keeping the ergonomic conditions in mind and also the body structure of female troops. The protective ensemble comes in three sizes, small, medium and large. The anthropometric data of female troops have also been used to provide them with the best. The FBP is lightweight and is closely attached to the body, especially the vulnerable parts of the body. These vulnerable parts need protection in violent situations like riots, FBP will prove to be of great help to the women officers.

It also provides the option of wearing either the upper part or the lower part as per the condition. To add to the qualities, it also provides protection against puncture and shrapnel which makes it a very good protective covering. It is also a protective gear from something impactful in nature, like in case of sudden attacks by rods or knives. It also gives the user time to discard the ensemble in case of severe fire incidences and also is resistant towards acids.

“Female troops are frequently deployed for riot control and various law and other duties. At present, a full body protector is not available for female anthropometry. Initially, female troops wore the male FBP which is ill-fitting and also hinders their mobility."

A DRDO official said in a statement, “Female troops are frequently deployed for riot control and various law and other duties. At present, a full body protector is not available for female anthropometry. Initially, female troops wore the male FBP which is ill-fitting and also hinders their mobility. This was a glaring problem by the female troops. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) generated an anthropometric database of female troops with the aim to provide a well suited FBP. This was the first of its kind study specifically keeping in mind the lacunae that exist with regard to anthropometric data of female troops for the design and development of a new female full body protector.”

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