Will bulletproof jackets have Chinese connection?

New Delhi: While various government departments are preparing measures to reduce dependence on Chinese imports, the Home ministry is now being considered, which is to receive about 50,000 bullet-proof jackets, including some Indo Tibetan Border Force (ITBP), Indo Tibetan Border Force (ITBP) that is posted on the current Line of Control (LAC) and has been involved in a tussle that took place at Pangong Tso lake.

The Ministry of Defense's insistence to continue with an order for 180,000 bulletproof jackets, even after it was revealed that the seller had diverted a significant raw material supplier from Western sources to Chinese companies last year, had led to a situation in which other powers could also obtain similar products.

This month there will be at least three tenders, two for ITBP and one larger for CRPF, for new bulletproof vests that don't specify that Chinese materials will be allowed. As is the case, suppliers who respond to bids will have the option to import the main component of the Jackets, High-Performance Polyethylene (HPPE), from China.

Industry sources have told that the clarification is yet to come, even when the deadline for applications is only a few days. Traditionally, such protective equipment used by the Indian army would have raw materials imported from Western sources, and a handful of companies in Europe and the United States manufacture HPPE. However, things changed by an order from the Indian Army of Rs 639 billion for the new vests in 2018, as the supplier who won the unilateral competition turned the raw material supplier into a group of Chinese companies.

Also reported for the first time in March 2019, a large portion of the rupees paid by the Indian army for 639 million rupees landed in Chinese companies. It is believed that 40% of the jacket material, which includes boron carbide powder and cloth, is imported from China.

During the selection process, the vendor presented jackets containing raw materials from Western sources in Europe and the United States. But changed its suppliers after winning the contract. The military allowed this change as the company said that the change in sellers would not affect the product.

In a letter to DG CRPF, the Ph.D. Chamber of Commerce urged the government to clarify the matter, saying that "very large currency exchange deviates to Chinese companies" if the vendors import HPPE from China.

"In light of the above events with the Chinese army, we request you to kindly set a policy to significantly reduce dependence on Chinese materials so that the security of our combat soldiers is not endangered if the situation escalates," the letter reads.

Also Read: Amazon, BigBasket get nod for liquor delivery in West Bengal