In a significant move to bolster national security infrastructure, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has unveiled India's first dedicated national standard for testing and evaluating bomb disposal systems. The new standard, designated IS 19445:2025, was introduced on Saturday and marks a pivotal step towards standardizing critical security equipment used by Indian forces.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Security Protocols
The development of this standard was initiated following a formal request from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL). According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, the standard is intended for voluntary adoption by government procurement agencies, domestic manufacturers, and testing bodies across the country.
"Its implementation is expected to bring uniformity in evaluation practices, promote quality-driven manufacturing, and enhance confidence in bomb disposal systems deployed in critical security operations," Khare stated in an official communication to PTI.
Tailored for Indian Threat Landscape
The ministry highlighted a crucial need for this indigenous standard, noting that existing international benchmarks were either not easily accessible or failed to adequately address the specific threat profiles and operational environments encountered by Indian security personnel. While several public and private sector entities in India manufacture these life-saving systems, their safe and reliable deployment hinges on rigorous, standardized testing procedures.
The newly minted IS 19445:2025 serves as a common reference framework for manufacturers, test sponsors, and accredited laboratories. It synthesizes global best practices but is uniquely adapted to the domestic context, accounting for local threat conditions and challenges.
Boosting Domestic Manufacturing and Global Competitiveness
This strategic standardization is poised to deliver multiple long-term benefits:
- Enhanced Quality: It provides clear benchmarks for Indian manufacturers to improve the reliability and safety of their bomb disposal systems.
- Operational Confidence: Security forces can have greater trust in equipment that has been validated against a nationally recognized, threat-relevant standard.
- Export Potential: By aligning with yet specializing beyond global norms, the standard aims to elevate the quality of Indian-made systems, helping local companies compete more effectively in the international security equipment market.
The introduction of IS 19445:2025 represents a proactive measure to fortify India's internal security framework by ensuring that the tools used in high-stakes bomb disposal operations meet a consistent, high-quality, and contextually appropriate benchmark.
