IIT Delhi partners with Troop Comforts to develop protective clothing for security forces

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Troop Comforts Limited (TCL), an enterprise under the ministry of defence, for developing ‘smart protective clothing’ for security forces.

Under the MoU, inked on February 21, IIT Delhi and TCL will work in the area of research and development of garments and equipment for the security personnel deployed in high-altitude areas like the Siachen Glacier.

The two parties will also work jointly in developing sensor-fitted garments and clothes that may provide better protection from ballistic weapons, IIT Delhi said in a statement.

“IIT Delhi’s Textile and Fibre Engineering Department is well-known for innovations in the area of smart textiles. It is a privilege for us to support our security forces through this MoU with TCL,” said Sunil Kumar Khare, dean R&D, IIT Delhi.

The TCL Group produces troop comfort items for defence and paramilitary forces. The group has four factories – Ordnance Equipment Factory, Kanpur, UP; Ordnance Clothing Factory, Shahjahanpur, UP; Ordnance Clothing Factory, Avadi, TN and Ordnance Equipment Factory, Hazratpur, UP.

All the four TCL factories, depending upon their requirements, will assign projects to IIT Delhi for research and innovation. This collaboration will cover all the new fields including application of smart textiles to defence applications, integration of artificial intelligence in troop comfort items and development of futuristic infantry solider as a system. This system will be developed with an integration of telecommunication and health monitoring devices.

“Under the self-reliant India mission, this MoU with IIT Delhi will prove to be a milestone in making the country’s security forces empowered and modern,” said SK Sinha, CMD, TCL.

The TCL Group, which is transforming as per the recent policies of the government, is aiming to be a complete integral solution provider for the forces’ requirements. The government-run firm is aiming to switch over from conventional items to technology-driven items catering to the security forces as well as civilians.