In a move that would provide a major stimulus to the Indian Army to brave the extreme weather conditions, the Defence Development and Research Organisation (DRDO) has transferred a technology of indigenous extreme cold weather clothing system (ECWS) to five Indian companies in New Delhi.
The made-in-India technology was handed over by the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr G Satheesh Reddy in the national capital.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy emphasised on the need for developing indigenous industrial base for Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) items, not only to cater to the existing requirements of the Indian Army but also to tap its potential for export.
Deciphering Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System
Designed and developed by Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a defence laboratory of DRDO, Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWS) is modular, three layered clothing system, which is evaluated to meet the insulation, waterproofing, strength, lightweight and ergonomically evaluated wearer comfort requirements during combat operations by defence personnels in extreme altitude/weather regions. The ECWS three layer -inner , middle and outer layer.
It is important to note that the three layered ECWCS is designed to suitably provide thermal insulation over a temperature of -50 celsius.
Interestingly, the outer layer of the clothing is reversible for camouflage purposes in both snow bound terrain as well as areas without snow cover. The ECWS is made of fabrics and insulation material to meet an approximate cumulative weight of 4.5 kg for all the 03 layers while providing a CLO value ( a value that describes the degree of insulation provided by the clothing) of > 5.5.
Further, the ECWS’s outer layer and middle layer are water proof while the inner layer has antimicrobial ECWC finish. It is designed in a manner that meets a range of motion requirements for all desired human movements while catering to the ruggedness requirements in mountain terrains.
How will ECWS boost Indian Army’s endeavours in extreme weather ?
Considering the widely fluctuating weather conditions, the ECWS will equip the Indian Army for undertaking continuous operations in glacier and Himalayan peaks. It is noteworthy that India takes care of the highest military battlefield on the earth – Siachen Glacier.
Besides, the Indian Army till recently, has been importing extreme cold weather clothing and several Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) items for its personnel deployed in high mountain regions.
The DRDO designed ECWCS will not only make India self-reliant in manufacturing this clothing system but it will also equip our defence forces to sustain in various ambient climatic conditions in Himalayan regions during different levels of physical activity.
