Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 3

Modular combat kits to be introduced by the Army would make a soldier’s battle load lighter and allow them faster access to ammunition and other equipment in operational conditions.

“The present Improved Combat Kit (ICK) is of old pattern, cumbersome and has restricted operational utility. There is a need for holistic review of ICK towards making it operationally useful and in keeping with the modernisation needs,” a request for information issued by the Army this week states.

The ICK consists of waist belt, ammunition pouches, plastic water bottle, backpack and a larger haversack. These are to be replaced by kits (see box what these must comprise) that would be similar to the Modular Light Weight Load Carrying Equipment system used by several NATO armies. The existing waist belt, backpack and haversack are also to be replaced with modular equipment designed to be convenient to use and comfortable to carry.

It was only in 1980s that the Army introduced camouflage pattern combat dress on the field instead of regular olive drab. Till about the turn of the century, webbing equipment, combat kits and boots were of the World War-II vintage. Even clothing material is regular fabric instead of being breathable, flame-resistant or water-repellant.

ICKs are manufactured by the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Since such items are scheduled to become “non-core items” for the OFB from 2012-22 fiscal under government’s scheme, the new kits would be sourced from the private industry. The kits, to be made from Cordura, a kind of heavy-duty fabric with high durability, would be flame-retardant, dust-resistant, in addition to having a breathable mesh lining.

What kits consist of

• Adjustable, comfortable ‘battle vest’ with integrated pouches, large-zippered pockets, pistol holster and two drop bags for additional equipment such as binoculars, medical pouch, etc
• Bulletproof plates may be inserted in front and rear of battle vest, a 2-3 litre flexible hydration bladder may be attached, enabling soldiers to drink water through a tube while on the go