The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered for jackets and breast plates incorporating Honeywell composites for the safety of police
According to Informa PLC, an international market research firm, the Indian homeland security budget is set to grow by 25 per cent in 2010, making it the fastest-growing market for homeland security equipment in the world. The growing terrorist attacks and threats to homeland security have necessitated the need for modernisation of India’s police forces. The Ministry of Home Affairs seems to have pulled up its shocks to battle the menace by equipping the police forces adequately. The recent order for body armour equipped with Honeywell’s Gold Shield and Spectra Shield is an example.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has awarded a contract to MKU Private Ltd, an India-based supplier of body armour, for 59,000 jackets. Honeywell’s Gold Shield and Spectra Shield composite materials will be the primary ballistics protection incorporated into the jacket. The first shipment of armour is likely to be sent to the Central Reserve Police Force by the end of June 2010.
According to Honeywell, the Spectra Shield and Gold Shield materials will provide bullet-resistance to body armour for Indian paramilitary and police forces.
Phil Wojcik of Honeywell’s Advanced Fibres and Composites business said, “Honeywell’s spectra shield and gold shield composite materials will play a key role in protecting the men and women who serve on India’s police forces from the serious threats they face every day.” “Our materials protect law enforcement officials, soldiers and their vehicles in combat zones around the world, and we are proud to bring this technology to India,” he added.
“Today’s police forces need stronger, lighter armour that can withstand a variety of threats. Together with Honeywell, we’re providing the Indian police with the latest generation products in personal armour technology,” said Neeraj Gupta, managing director, MKU.
The body armour, designed and manufactured by MKU, is intended to protect against a variety of pistol, ground and small arms threats. The soft armour containing a gold shield can substantially reduce injuries caused by a bullet’s impact, but with improved weight, flexibility and comfort. The breast plates containing Spectra Shield offer protection from multiple bullet hits, angle shots and high-velocity rifle rounds.
MKU is one of the leading suppliers of personal and platform ballistic protection solutions, globally. Its products are in service in more than 60 countries around the world. It currently has several innovative products in the pipeline and various patent applications pending.
For more than 20 years, Honeywell's materials have been used in advanced armour systems for a wide range of ballistic protection and security applications—from bullet-resistant vests, breastplates, and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft—where lightweight solutions and durability are critical.
Honeywell patented Spectra Shield products are manufactured by bonding parallel strands of fibre in place with an advanced resin system. In addition to Spectra fibre, Honeywell adapts this technology to other fibres, including aramid.
Spectra fibre is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. The fibre exhibits high resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet light. It has excellent vibration damping, flex fatigue and internal fibre-friction characteristics. It also has up to 60 percent greater specific strength than aramid fibre.
In addition to armour, Spectra fibre also can be used for high-performance marine applications such as lifting and mooring lines, industrial slings and security netting, as well as for novel curtains used to protect windows and doors during hurricanes.
