Indian Army Achieves 97% Indigenisation of Combat Gear

Introduction

The Indian Army has reached a significant milestone in its pursuit of self-reliance, successfully indigenising 55 of the 57 Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) items essential for troops operating in some of India’s most challenging high-altitude regions. This achievement underscores the Army’s commitment to enhancing operational readiness while reducing dependence on imports.

SCME Indigenisation Progress

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI), IHQ of MoD (Army), announced that only two SCME items remain to complete the indigenisation process. These remaining items are currently undergoing trials, with a target completion year of 2026.

ADG PI highlighted, “The Indian Army continues to drive India’s journey towards Atmanirbharta and a Viksit Bharat @2047. In a major milestone, 55 of 57 Special Clothing & Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) items for troops in Super High Altitude Areas have now been fully indigenised, covering 97 per cent of the inventory. This enhances logistics resilience and significantly reduces import dependence.”

Modernisation Drive and New Combat Uniform

As part of its ongoing modernisation efforts, the Army also unveiled the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) earlier this year. Designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, this three-layered jacket leverages advanced technical textiles to ensure performance across diverse terrains and weather conditions.

ADG PI added, “Further strengthening operational capability, the Army introduced the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) in January 2025. Designed by NIFT New Delhi, this ergonomically engineered jacket enhances soldier performance across varied terrains.”

Intellectual Property and Legal Protection

The design has been officially registered with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks. The Army emphasized that unauthorized use of its uniform is a punishable offense. This formal registration, secured after the design application No. 449667-001 dated February 27, 2025, was published in the Patent Office’s journal on October 7, 2025, protects the Army’s intellectual property and camouflage pattern.

Three-Layer Combat Ensemble

The New Coat Combat consists of:

• Outer Layer: Digitally printed coat for maximum concealment and durability.
• Mid-Layer: Insulated layer providing warmth without restricting mobility.
• Base Layer: Thermal layer that regulates temperature and moisture.

This combination of technical textiles and ergonomic design ensures enhanced comfort, mobility, and operational effectiveness across varied tactical and climatic conditions.

Significance of the Achievement

The near-complete indigenisation of SCME and the formalisation of the New Coat Combat’s intellectual property represent a major step forward for the Indian Army. These advancements strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, improve operational preparedness, and align with India’s vision for a self-reliant and technologically advanced defense ecosystem.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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