New Delhi: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a new standard for bomb disposal systems for the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State Police, considering the threats posed by unexploded ordnance, IEDs, and hand grenades in conflict zones.
This new standard specifies the qualitative requirements and associated test methods for evaluating the applicable blast mitigation and fragmentation containment capabilities of various bomb disposal systems, including bomb blankets, bomb baskets, and bomb barriers, particularly with respect to blast load and impact.
The standard was released by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, on National Consumer Day. It provides a robust technical roadmap that serves as a reference for testing sponsors, manufacturers, and accredited testing agencies by specifying test methods, equipment, test samples, and acceptance criteria. “It is designed for voluntary adoption by procurement agencies, manufacturers, and testing bodies.
“These guidelines have been developed following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) of DRDO,” BIS said.
Enhancing Operational Safety and ‘Make in India’
The Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State Police frequently encounter the threats posed by unexploded ordnance, IEDs, and hand grenades in conflict zones.
Previously, international standards for bomb disposal equipment were either difficult to access or did not adequately address the specific weapons and environmental conditions prevalent in the Indian subcontinent.
The implementation of IS 19445:2025 will enhance the safety of operators, first responders, and bystanders, while providing a transparent and uniform basis for procurement, testing, and certification. It will support indigenous development and innovation under the Make in India initiative and improve the reliability and interoperability of equipment used by various agencies.
A Collaborative Approach to Standard Development
The development of this standard exemplifies a collaborative approach, led by the Bomb Disposal Systems Panel under the BIS Sectional Committee for Arms and Ammunition for Civilian Use.
Working in coordination with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) of DRDO, the process integrated inputs from diverse stakeholders. Key contributors included defense and internal security agencies such as DRDO, NSG, MES, DGQA, and Central Armed Police Forces; and Central and State Police authorities.
Prominent R&D institutions such as AAI, ACRTC, BPR&D, NRAI, TBRL, and NFSU also collaborated. The participation of testing and certification experts, as well as manufacturers from both the public and private sectors, further strengthened this effort.
The release of this standard reaffirms the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)’s commitment to national security and technological self-reliance. “Make in India” By providing a technical foundation for the “Make in India” initiative, BIS is advancing national priorities, ensuring that India’s security infrastructure is built on a foundation of precision, reliability, and indigenous innovation.
