India’s journey toward defence modernisation is entering a transformative phase. As threats evolve and battlefields become more complex, the focus is shifting beyond firepower to include agility, survivability, and world-class protection systems. At the heart of this evolution is the urgent need for advanced personal armour and vehicle armour solutions that meet international protection standards.
CUMI (Carborundum Universal Limited), a leading name in ceramic armour manufacturing in India, is helping set the benchmark by offering globally certified defence protection systems for soldiers and vehicles.
Why Protection Standards Matter in India’s Defence Strategy
Two key factors make global protection standards a strategic priority for India:
- Protecting Indian soldiers with globally competitive armour solutions
- Establishing India as a global hub for defence manufacturing and exports
Advanced Body Armour for Indian Soldiers
The Indian Armed Forces operate across a diverse range of environments — from freezing high-altitude zones to humid coastal areas and harsh deserts. To maintain high performance and safety across these terrains, equipping soldiers with state-of-the-art personal body armour is critical.
CUMI’s personal body armour solutions are designed using alumina and silicon carbide ceramic plates, providing NIJ Level IV protection while being lightweight, modular, and highly comfortable for extended wear. These systems offer a significant upgrade over conventional metallic armour, enabling soldiers to move faster and endure longer missions with greater agility.
By conforming to globally recognised benchmarks like the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) standards, CUMI’s armour not only ensures the safety of Indian personnel but also strengthens compatibility with international military systems — boosting interoperability and increasing troop confidence.
Vehicle Armour: Lightweight, Durable, and Export-Ready
As modern threats evolve, so must the defensive systems that counter them. With the rise in high-impact weaponry, vehicle armour must now provide enhanced protection without compromising mobility. This is where CUMI’s vehicle armour technologies play a vital role.
CUMI’s vehicle armour solutions include ceramic composite panels that offer a lightweight yet durable solution for:
- Tactical and combat vehicles
- Army trucks and patrol vehicles
- Armoured SUVs for VIP protection
Leveraging over 70 years of materials science expertise, CUMI develops ceramic composite armour for a range of armoured and other military vehicles, significantly reducing weight while maintaining high durability. These solutions meet stringent protection standards while supporting the need for speed and mobility in combat environments.
From armoured vehicle kits for SUVs to custom protection for VIP transport, CUMI uses Using high-performance ceramics like Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide (RBSiC) and Zirconia Toughened Alumina, CUMI delivers STANAG 4569 Level 2 and 3 certified vehicle armour with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
These cutting-edge materials form the backbone of next-generation vehicle armour — a highly competitive defence export product with growing global demand, aligned with India’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.
Discover CUMI’s range of:
India’s Rise as a Global Defence Manufacturing Hub
With a strong focus on indigenisation and self-reliance, India is poised to become a global powerhouse in defence manufacturing. CUMI’s vertically integrated ecosystem — from producing advanced ceramic raw materials to component manufacturing — exemplifies the capabilities now available within India’s defence sector.
India is already producing and exporting bulletproof ceramics for body armour, ballistic protection materials for armoured vehicles, and graphene-based solutions for aerospace and defence. CUMI’s achievement in securing STANAG 4569 Level 2 and 3 global certifications for its vehicle armour panels from IABG further demonstrates compliance with top-tier global standards—making them export-ready and globally trusted.
Final Word: India’s Defence Modernisation Starts with Stronger Protection
Upgrading soldier and vehicle protection systems is foundational to India’s defence modernisation. Modernisation and indigenisation of India’s defence safeguards cannot be achieved without strong, internationally aligned protection standards. Innovations in NIJ Level IV personal armour, lightweight vehicle protection, and advanced ceramics are essential for both safeguarding troops and growing India’s footprint in global defence markets.
CUMI, with its deep materials expertise and world-class manufacturing capabilities, is proud to lead this transformation — innovating in protection technologies that safeguard lives, and supporting India’s rise as a global defence innovator.