The jacket was tested successfully at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh

Personnel of the Indian Army will now have access to Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) weighing only 9 kg, thanks to the success achieved by a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The light weight jacket has been developed by the Defence Material and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army, the DRDO said on Thursday.

The technology used has succeeded in reducing the weight of the medium sized BPJ from 10.4 kg to 9.0 kg.

Referring to the importance of this "vital development", the DRDO said that each gram of BPJ weight reduction is crucial in enhancing soldier comfort while ensuring the survivability.

The Front Hard Armour Panel jacket was tested successfully at DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh and met the relevant BIS standards.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the achievement.

"Congratulations to @DRDO_India and DMSRDE Kanpur for developing this BP jacket. India needs more such innovative product design and development to realise the dream of #AtmaNirbharBharat," he said on Twitter.