1. Since when - I do not know.But that green webbing vest,with Molle webbing linings on the soldiers have become a common sight in recent days.Why do you ask by the way??
2. Well,in their case, the webbing linings are woven directly on top of their armor vests,making things simpler somewhat.
3. I don't think I get you here, so could you please elaborate this a bit??Thank you.
4. By the way, I guess you mean ceramic/steel plate inserts.Kevlar is mostly used as trauma padding material from what I've heard.And by the way,do you prefer steel plates or the ceramic ones??
5. Yeah,that's one big drawback of the Patkas.I guess, you guys should have modified the basic helmet by inserting some reinforced fibreglass plates on the top, that should have afforded reasonable protection against shrapnel and shell fragments.
6.I heard that it could even stop an M80 round from an SLR at longer ranges, is that true (although I think that the trauma inflicted may be just too severe for the wearer to survive even if the bullet doesn't perforate the helmet itself)??
1. It is not standardized. The original gear is ICK which earlier was of canvas that is about till decade and a half and since made up of synthetic material and significantly lighter. The procurement of the webbing shown in pics posted by you is under army commanders financial power head which enables purchase of additional critical equipment not being availed through OFB. It's not available for 100% troops.
2. Point 2 is irrelevant. It's like suggesting a Velcro strap going horizontally as opposed to diagonally. So far the posts here have been about one wearing Levi's and the other Wrangler and both claiming their product is superior, hence the opposing gentleman has been quoted. Interesting to see the tournament of big size on, when both armies have a mix of equipment at either end of spectrum and protagonists of each claiming superiority.
3 & 4. We have what is also called as a plate carrier. So configuration of 2 front and 1 is in issue although we alternate the configuration. Again it is Kevlar plate, ceramic/steel combo well on the way out. The steel ceramic combo is in patka. Contrary to popular misconception of our armor being heavier, it is lighter than similar US pattern. Kanpur does get export order for body armor, somehow the authorization scale has never been modified by GoI. Stupid dick heads in MoD and our own officer corps who want to save money when no one has asked them.
5. What do I say?
6. No idea. Am telling you tested range in real combat situation. 8 meters away head shot to a JCO in combat and he is alive. The only problem is in case the chin strap is not secured on chin and instead is secured below it, the kinetic energy of the round and resulting impact on the patka will kill you from a broken neck.
You are kidding right?
How many of our battalions have standardised NVGs or knee pads and over lvl 3 BPJs and ballistic helmets? Very very few. How can you completely blame mismanagement if there is nothing to maintain.
Yes lack of maintenance can not be foregone, but it is very much clear that the lack of equipment among other things that are not always in military's control are the foremost issue.
So many pictures tell a 1000 different stories of this very fact.
Delays are a common place whether it be force management applications of JSOCs or a unified services chief, or the induction of required weapon systems and equipment which are stuck in some babus binders and the deadlines keep getting pushed further and further away; do we blame our armed forces for these too? If you don't put it forward when will our forces act on it?
Again, there is definitely lack of maintenance but even more so there is the intense red-tapery at work here that constitutes most of this current problem.
Not I, please! You maybe?
Ever seen the nothing's of own HQs towards procurement of equipment not essentially needed?
Ever seen the condition of a BPJ issued to a soldier in valley? Until he is ordered to repair it, the thing can keep having slits with plates hanging out.
Let me not even start on the state of IPE held by units. People open the vacuum sealed packing a just to see a damn canister! A shelf life of 10years is rendered useless in 10 seconds!!
Ever seen the servicibility of auth PNVGs and NVGs in units? Or HHTIs and night scopes? If they are off road, then in own sweet time effort is made to repair them ...
I can keep giving you examples. But it is useless.
