Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(ECC)
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CURRENT SCENARIO – GLOBAL (in particular NATO & China Armed Forces)
In advanced countries, uniforms and specialist clothing for extreme climate conditions have been
upgraded over the decades and today more than 40% of total Military textile manufacturing activity
involves the use of Technical Textiles.
China has devoted around 20% of its textile production in this field. Chinese soldiers stationed in high
altitude regions and borders use highest quality technical textiles and latest materials.
Current use of technical textiles for military applications negligible with little upgrading done in
decades.
Procurement for cold and extreme climate conditions done by 3 different organizations:
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB): Clothing / equipment for temperatures between 0°C -10°C
Directorate General Ordnance Services (DGOS): Clothing/ equipment for temperatures between -
10°C to -20°C
Master General Ordnance (MGO): Extreme climate (-20°C to- 60°C). All procurement ex-import.
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Source: CoE NITRA
IMPORTANCE OF REGULATING BODY
TEMPERATURE DURING COMBAT CONDITIONS
Psychological impact of Cold/Extreme Cold Climate
31°C (87.8°F) - Comatose, very rarely conscious. No or slight reflexes. Very shallow
breathing and slow heart rate.
28°C (82.4°F) - Severe heart rhythm disturbances are likely and breathing may stop
at any time. Patient may appear to be dead.
ABOVE TABLE SHOWS THAT JUST A MERE 6 °C DROP IN YOUR INTERNAL BODY TEMPREATURE
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CAN LEAD TO DEATH
CURRENT CHALLENGES :
• Clothing needs urgent upgrading as outdated materials, insulation and manufacturing techniques
have not kept up to date with more advanced countries.
• Lack of adequate legislative measures & standards at par with developed countries
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Source: CoE NITRA
Current Operating Challenges
• Among the many challenges our Soldiers face and one they have no control over is the weather.
• Indian Armed Forces operate in the most diverse climatic and geographical conditions in the world.
• From Sand storms to blizzards, heavy continuous rain to near draught conditions our Soldiers perform
their duties in a most professional manner.
• Being exposed to extreme climate conditions for prolonged periods of time plays havoc with ones
health, motivation, morale and confidence.
• Whist on patrol soldiers carry anywhere up to 100 pounds of equipment. Using latest available
technical textiles this overall weight can be brought down easing the overall load.
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Current Operating Challenges
• Excess weight carried especially in high altitude areas leads to fatigue. Fatigue in combat leads to loss of
concentration and lethargy. Cannot afford to be fatigued when fighting for your life.
• Fatigue and lethargy also lead to Standard Operating Procedures not being followed leading to operational
mistakes.
• Outdated materials and clothing supplied by OFB plays a demoralizing effect on soldiers who are forced to
wear sub standard gear whilst watching other Armies wear the best.
• Technical textiles provide flexible clothing systems that not only reduce overall weight but can adapt to
individuals specific needs depending on environmental conditions.
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Current Operating Scenario
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INDIAN ARMY & CENTRAL PARAMILITARY FORCES
OPERATING IN COLD / WET TERRAIN
ARMY ADVENTURE WING
- Expeditions
- Training
- First ascends / descends
INSTITUTIONS
• High Altitude Warfare School
(HAWS)
• SIACHEN BATTLE SCHOOL
• KARGIL BATTLE SCHOOL
• ARTRAC
• JUNGLE WARFARE SCHOOL
Northern Command:
- Total strength 230,000+
Eastern Command: PARAMILITARY FORCES
- Special Forces
- RR - Total strength 300,000+
- Special Forces ITBP – Nepal, Tibet, China, Bangladesh
- Siachen Glacier
- Mountain Brigades SFF- Special Operations Force
- Kargil / Drass
SSB- Bhutan, Nepal
- High altitude troops
AR- Bangladesh, China 9
- Ladakh scouts (pooh)
SPECIALISED EXTREME COLD CLIMATE
(ECC)
Face Protection
Head protection
Sleeping Bags
Layering systems
Modular Gloves
Base layers
Thermal Socks
Snow Boots Survival Gear
Material specifications:
Outer material: EXEL DRY® LIGHT
Inner material: SOFTEX® 40D DWR
Filling: GOOSE DOWN 650 cuin
Weight (size L): 1850g
HIMALAYAN 1200
SOFTIE or ‘superfine high-thermal’ is a combination of fibers with different crimp systems and surface
finishes. Some are crimped, some are curled and some just left as they are.
The random nature if the process results in a product that closely resembles the structure of natural
down and the way it performs.
Advantages of Softie:
Extremely lightweight
Fibers further treated with special binders for excellent combination of softness & durability
Washable
Material specifications:
Outer material: PARATEX steel plate
Inner material: PARATEX light
Filling: SOFTIE
Lining: REFLECTATHERM
JUNGLE BAG
Temp: 5°C to 0°C
Weight: 1750g
HARRIER
Temp: -7°C to -12°C
Weight: 1750g
ANTARCTICA (RE)
Temp: -25°C to -50°C
Weight: 2800g
DISCOVERY
Temp: -15°C to -20°C
Weight: 2400g
COLD CLIMATE: -05°C to -30°C
HIMALAYA PANTS
Temp: -10°C to -15°C
Weight: 750g (size L)
BLIZZARD
Temp: -20°C to -25°C
Weight: 1350g (size L)
PILE PANTS
Temp: -5°C to -10°C
Weight: 700g (size L)
SLEEKA
Temp: -5°C to -10°C
Weight: 750g (size L)
MATERIALS:
Sympatex® Europe‘s leading membrane system for Armed Forces
As one of the worlds leading specialists in innovative functional
clothing, footwear and accessories, Sympatex develops high-tech
equipment based on the hydrophilic, non-porus menbrane.
100% Windproof:
Given the non-porous structure the Sympatex® PES membrane is 100%
windproof, again even with our world‘s thinnest 5μ membrane
(according to DIN EN ISO 9237).
Optimal Breathability
100% biodegradable:
All Sympatex® membranes are fully ecological degradable without toxic
residue and correspond to the high demanding bluesign® standard.
100%Waterproof Laminateswithstandwatercolumnofupto25m.
100%Windproof ENISO9237rating.
Optimalbreathability Rated‘good'to‘verygood'inindependenttestsbythe
HohensteinInstitute.57billion‘water-loving‘moleculesper
cm2transfermoistureoutwards.
Provenquality Guaranteedbyinnumerabletests.Long-lastingfunctionalityis
guaranteed
Extrememechanical Abrasionresistanceofupto10,000cycles(Martindale
durability method)–thankstohigh-qualityworkmanshipandcarefully
selectedmaterials.
Endurance-tested Alljacketprototypesundergoa1-to3-hourtestintherain
chamber.Footwearistestedusingawalkingsimulatorina
waterbathfor7to14hours.
Compactmembrane Completelynon-porous:sothemembranecannotbeclogged
bydetergentresiduesorsaltcrystals.
300%stretch Thankstoitsnon-porousstructure,themembraneisextremely
elastic,verythin(from5µm)andverylight.
100%ecologicallydegradablewithouttoxicresidue.
Bluesign®-certified
SYMPATEX BRAND AWARENESS- EUROPE & USA
• 100% Waterproof
• 100% Windproof
• Optimum breathablity
• 100% Dust, virus and bacteria proof
• Operating temperature + 45°C to -15°C.
• Boot designed to naturally align body when
carrying rucksack / loads.
• Anti slip with multi density sole
• Oil & petrol resistant
• Available in Black and desert colours
YAKTRAX PRO