Explained: The Evolution Of Military Helmets In The Indian Army

“Riding without a helmet is not safe” is true but firing without military helmets is very dangerous” is also true. And this unique and attractive combat helmet proves to be very successful in saving the life of a soldier on the battlefield. These military helmets also block bullets and mount other headgear like microphones, NVGs, range finders, etc. So today, we will know about those military helmets, which the Indian Army has been using since 1947 till today. Helmet ModelServiceUserBrodie (Mark 2 & 3) Helmet1947 - 1974Indian Army Standard issue helmet1974-Model Helmet1974 - PresentIndian Army Standard issue helmetPatka Helmet1990s - PresentPara Military & military in J&K Tata Advanced Combat Helmet2010 - presentPara SFOR-201 Helmet2010 - presentPara SF, Paratroopers, and SFF MKU Mukut Helmet2018 - presentIndian Army Standard issue helmetExfil Ballistic Helmet2020 - presentPara SFGalvion Viper helmetNil - presentMARCOS, Special Group, Patna Police SWAT, and VBSS Operatives.SRG Tactical High Cut HelmetNil -presentNSGFAST Ops-coreNil - presentSpecial Group and Para SFLightweight Helmet (LWH)Nil-presentCentral Armed Police Forces But before this, we should know about What Are The Military Helmets? A military or combat helmet is a type of headgear that protects a soldier's head from bullets from an opponent. In addition, multiple devices like night vision goggles (NVGs), microphones, torches, e.t.c can be mounted on a combat helmet. These are some of the military helmets that have been inducted into the Indian Army from 1947 to date? 1. Brodie Helmet The Brodie is a steel combat helmet. John Leopold Brodie designed and patented this in London in 1915. The first delivery of the Brodie helmet to British Army soldiers was in September 1915. Before world war 1, Soldiers of most countries went into war wearing cloth, felt, or leather headgear that delivered no protection from modern weapons. Because of its bowl shape, it was called the shrapnel helmet, battle bowler, Tommy helmet, tin hat, and in the United States the doughboy helmet. It was also known as the dishpan hat, tin pan hat, washbasin, battle bowler, and Kelly helmet. Brodie's weakness was that it did not protect the side of the head or neck. Indian Army soldiers with Brodie helmet in 1971 - Left & Brodie helmet - Right In the past, the British Indian army also used mark-2 & mark-3 Variants of it in WW1 and WW2. After independence, these were the standard-issue helmets for the Indian Army. Past Uses of Brodie Helmet 1. By protecting the soldier's head with its multiple variants, the Allied Powers defeated the Axis Powers in WW1 and WW2. 2. Wearing this helmet on the head, India won the 1971 Indo-Pak war. 3. The Chinese Army also used it in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. The Indian Army continued to use these as the standard-issue helmets until the Model-1974 helmet was developed in 1974. 2. Model 1974 helmet Model 1974 exterior surface is made of fiberglass and the interior features a nylon suspension liner (made of manganese steel) and is lined with green plastic. It was officially known as the “Helmet, Combat, Fibreglass” But due to its induction into the Indian Army in 1974, it is known as the Model 1974 Helmet. In 2012, these helmets were upgraded to the Model 1974/12 helmet. This helmet, made of FRP (Fibre-Reinforced Plastic), retained the shape of the Model 1974 helmet but introduced a new liner design. In India, this new variant is still known as the Model 1974 and so, to avoid confusion, it is now known amongst helmet collectors as the Model 1974/12. The Riddell system was replaced, and the interior of the shell was fully covered with tan/black felt. 6 cushioned protectors were sewed underneath this felt cover, with a 7th one cushioning the top portion of the head. According to the Indian Army, this helmet is capable of stopping SA ball 9mm low power rounds (fired from a revolver, no. 2 MK 1and a pistol, 9mm respectively). Indian Army Soldier with model 1974 helmet Past Uses of Model 1974 Helmet In the 1999 Kargil war, The Indian army defeated the Pakistani army and India regains control of Kargil. In the 90s when the Army was deployed to fight insurgency in J & K, the soldiers were equipped with 1974 model fiberglass helmets. These were not sufficient to protect the troops against flying bullets and fragments. So the Patka helmet was introduced. 3. Patka Helmet An Indian company Star Wire defense developed the Patka helmet only for the Indian Army to protect in all types of weather conditions. The `Patka’ like helmets designed by former Major General VK Datta in the early 1990s, were the low-cost alternatives used for protecting the soldier wearing them. The Armour Steel strip in the front protects the forehead by defeating a fire of 7.62x39mm (AK-47 family of weapons) from a distance of 10 meters. The remaining circumference of the skull is protected against the fire from a 9 mm family of weapons from a distance of 10 meters. And Patka Helmets gives better protection but also is much heavier than Model 1974. In addition, The trauma pads provided can absorb shock/trauma in the possibility of bullet collisions. Kevlar protection can be delivered to personnel operating in high-threat conditions. The cylindrical design assures a ricochet of bullets hitting from any angle, thereby decreasing trauma. Indian para SF soldiers - left & Patka Helmet - Right The Helmet Patka comes in three variants - MODEL-1MODEL-2MODEL-3Front & BackFront, Back & TopFront & Back Ears Neck & TopWeight (approx)1.40 Kg1.7 Kg1.9 KgBallistic MaterialPhantom SteelPhantom Steel and KevlarPhantom Steel and KevlarPatka helmets specifications Special Characteristics The Bulletproof Helmet Patka has an armor strip made of Die Pressed Phantom Steel.The Patka Helmet, being breathable, does not cause the soldier any stress or headache during long wear.The design provides stability and firmness while aiming the weapon both in lying and crouching positions. The flat surface also permits the use of devices like optical aiming/surveillance gadgets.The Helmet Patka is available in three different sizes. These are small, medium, and large or as per the soldier's need.The harness external surface of the Helmet Patka can be made in different colors, relying on the specific necessities of the users.The chin belt and specially designed straps at the rear provide a perfect head grip. Past Uses Of Patka Helmet From the 1990s to date, Many units of the Indian army including the Paramilitary wear these helmets in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.This helmet became operational till the Kargil War of 1999, so it also contributed to the Kargil War. Lastly, The Helmet Patka can be served by frontline Combat Forces, Para Military & Police Forces, and similar troops when deployed on Internal Security tasks. The design provides a high degree of stability to headgear-mounted electronic instruments for Special Forces, According to Star wire defense. 4. Tata Advanced Combat Helmet In 2010, Tata's heavy-duty ACH was inducted into the Indian Army. It comes in the weight range from 1.2 kg to 1.4 kg. It is capable to protect against 9mm FMV, Indian stem machine gun, and MP-4 submachine gun rounds. Tata Advanced Materials Limited developed and manufactured it. It protects as per NIJ level 2 and level 3. Indian Army soldier with Tata's heavy-duty ACH Moreover, Tata's heavy-duty ACH is similar to MKU ACH but the difference is that this helmet features better back-head protection. 5. OR-201 Military Helmet The OR-201, also designated Kasda OR-201 Model 76 or M-76 for short, is a combat helmet of Israeli origin. The OR-201 was developed in the 1970s. The OR-201 was one of the world's first ballistic helmets. The OR-201 helmet comes in 4 variants, Indian army uses the latest version RBH 100-series which was the result of Model 76 and OR-404. Model 76Model 76-85OR-404RBH 100-series Further, the latest variant of OR-201 is the "100-series" modernized helmets – the RBH 101, RBH 102, and RBH 103 models. The material used in their structure also changes according to the model – the lightweight RBH 101 is made of ballistic nylon and weights 750g, the RBH 102 is made of reinforced fiberglass (GRP) and weighs 1.46 kg, and the heavier RBH 103 is made entirely of Kevlar that weights 1.50 kg. All these "100-series" models are resistant to impact, and shock and offer defense against shrapnel. Indian Paratroopers wear OR-201 helmet With the Tata advanced combat helmets, India acquired limited quantities of the OR-201 helmet for the Indian special forces' units in 2010. This is lightweight and effective in stopping a 9mm round at close range. If you have read this far then you should also read the 10 Deadliest Sniper Rifles Used By Indian Army: 1947-Present article. 6. MKU Mukut ACH During the replacement of many decades-old Model-1974 and Patka helmets, the Indian army purchased the 1,58,000 units of MKU advanced combat helmets named Mukut. The Kanpur-based MKU, a world leader in the manufacture of body armor (bulletproof jackets and helmets), is to be supplied within three years. MKU's Mukut Helmet MKU's Mukut combat helmets are manufactured using its RHT (Reduced Helmet Trauma) technology which provides protection from bullets and fragments and reduces head and skull injuries. More importantly, it reduces the resultant trauma, arising due to BABT (Behind Armour Blunt Trauma), by over 40 percent as compared to standard conventional composite helmets, according to the tests conducted by HP White Laboratory, USA. In comparison to other standard helmets, the MKU Mukut helmet is lighter in weight and protects the soldier's head from all 4 Sides. On the other hand, this helmet uses Kevlar as its main component which is much stronger than the fiberglass of Model-1974 and Patka helmets. 7. SRG-company Advanced combat helmet In the Indian army, Only NSG commandos wear these helmets. SRG helmet 8. Fast Helmet The Ops-Core Future Assault Shell Technology Helmet, also known as the FAST helmet, is a combat helmet used by special operations forces and law enforcement corps. The Special Group and Para SF units of the Indian army use this helmet. Fast helmet 9. Lightweight Helmet (LWH) All units of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) use this helmet in India. LWH helmet 10. Exfil High Cut Ballistic Helmet The US-made EXFIL Ballistic helmet features a hybrid composite shell for increased strength with special geometry for optimal fit and it delivers NIJ 3A level ballistic threat. It provides excellent impact safety and ballistic-rated hardware, the EXFIL Ballistic comes in only 1 Cut style – high cut, two sizes: size 1 and size 2, and four colors: Black, Coyote Brown, MultiCam (Hydrographic), Ranger Green. Exfil High Cut Ballistic Helmet MATERIALS Shell: Polyethylene and other fibers in a proprietarycomposite matrixVELCRO® USA: Loop 1100, military loopHardware: Stainless steel with blackoxide coatingSide Accessory Rails: Glass-reinforced polycarbonate SHELL ASSEMBLY Ballistic Performance: NIJ Level III-AFragment Performance: 17gr Backface Deformation: 9mm FMJ RN @ 425 m/s (1400ft/s), BFD < 25.4 mm all locations In the Indian army, soldiers of Para SF wear EXFIL Ballistic helmets. During the Galwan valley conflict between India and China, It was secretly inducted into Para SF in 2020. Physical Properties PropertiesSize 1Size 2Sizing (in cm)52-60 (S/M/L)58-63 (L/XL)Weighting (In K.G) of Complete System 1.18 k.g1.25 k.gPhysical properties of EXFIL Ballistic helmets 11. Galvion Viper P2 The Galvion Viper P2 delivers ballistic and impact head safety in an ACH-Shaped shell built under rigid military specifications and NIJ 3A level ballistic threat. It is designed for comfort, this shell features a low-profile design compatible with NVGs, CBRNe masks, and various communication devices. With this, It is Offers excellent impact protection and ballistic-rated hardware, the Galvion Viper P2 comes in three cut styles – full cut, high cut, and mid-cut to provide variable coverage alternatives, four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large, and four colors: black, olive green, leafage green and tan 499. Galvion Viper P2 helmet In addition, A medium-sized Galvion Viper P2 helmet weighs 1.2 kg. The protection levels of Viper P2 exceed U.S. Army ACH impact standards. It is capable of blocking STANAG 2920, STANAG 2920, and 9mm FMJ RTP multi-hit (5 impacts) rounds. It is tested for ballistic performance from -40°C to 70°C. What is STANAG In NATO, a Standardization Agreement (STANAG) defines processes, procedures, terms, and conditions for common military or technical systems or equipment between the member nations of the association. Each NATO state approves a STANAG and executes it within its army. In conclusion, these are the pieces of metal as well as military helmets that save the lives of our brave Indian Army jawans. According to a report, a combat helmet reduces battlefield deaths by 20%.