According to a statement by a veteran diplomat Fu Ying, China's increased military budget in 2015 has made it the world's second-largest military spender after the US. Even as the need for modern war equipment is on the rise, many governments have become attentive to the safety of their defense personnel. Technology in equipment has palpably high value attached to it, but with unremitting textile innovation, military gear is also technically apt to protect the user to some extent. From fighting extreme weather conditions to protecting against a ballistic attack, modern textiles are capable of innumerable services.
Demand for military fabric varies, depending on various factors including the level of protection required. Military fabric is not just about uniforms. It includes a wide variety of functions. Parachutes, safety harnesses, ropes, and tenting also constitute military fabric. Fabrics are customized to fight extreme weather conditions like heat, cold, wind, or rain. Textiles need to offer protection against ballistic impact, nuclear, biological, and chemical threats. The basic requirement of military fabric is to provide camouflage in the visible spectrum, as well as in ultra-violet and infra-red wavelengths.
So, each nation has something different on their shopping list for military fabric. Following this, the textile industry offers customized clothing to the military according to specifications. Lightweight, fire retardant uniforms with buoyant properties are in demand in the Canadian forces. The New Zealand Navy needs hoods and hand gloves made of Kevlar fiber. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have prescribed clothing of special property to protect soldiers from the critical environment during warfare.
Textiles to the defence
Fabric used for military purposes have to undergo regular modifications to meet challenges posed by modern warfare techniques. Nanotechnology is one of the deciders that influence military textile. With nanotechnology, it is possible to enhance the functionality of military fabric. According to TechNavio's analysts, the smart textile market for the military will grow globally at a compound annual growth rate of 10.35 percent between 2014 and 2019. This figure indicates that military fabric has gone on to become one of the top priorities.
Nanotechnology has made military textile lightweight, an important prerequisite for the wearer who often carries heavy equipment. Nanotechnology helps fabric change color and pattern according to the environment, offering better camouflage. Some other popular military textiles in demand include fabrics with fibers to invigorate muscles to make physical activities like jumping, running, and lifting easier to perform.
Fire retardant textiles, waterproof fabrics, and anti-stain fabrics are some of the general requirements for military textiles for which polyester, cotton, high tenacity polyester, para-aramid synthetic fibers, moisture-wicking fabrics, etc., are used.
E-textile: Reason for cheer
With rise in risks during military operations, wearable technology has become even more significant. Electronic textiles are capable of converting sunlight or artificial light into direct current electrical power. Smart textiles will ensure soldiers wear next-to-skin garments that keep a check on physical fitness status like heartbeat, blood pressure, respiration and body temperature.
However multifunctional the fabric is, the main concern remains its weight. "Lightweight, wearable power is very desirable since it will replace some batteries, which add weight to the soldier's load. The key to future advancements is the development of electronic circuits that are entirely made of fabric," said senior officer Dr Eugene Wilusz of United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Centre (NSRDEC).
The United States Naval Research Laboratory has come up with solar array blankets that offer high power output along with being light weight and flexible. Most of the current e-textiles available for the military is bulky, lacks durability and restricts movement. So, researchers are concentrating on incorporating flexible antennas, power networks, sensors etc into the clothing. Among the new approaches, military textile harvesting kinetic energy and photovoltaic's are popular.
"We've always looked at the uniform as a potential data and power bus. It could transport data and power throughout the soldier system," pointed out textile technologist at the NSRDEC, Carole Winterhalter.
Rollercoaster ride for military textiles
Russian military uniforms are among the finest contemporary designs with a perfect balance between conventional and contemporary. The modern Russian military uniform is made of a variety of materials with multiple layers.
The United States is one of the most active nations in developing new safety measures for military uniforms is concerned. Most of the research and development pertaining to military fabric is also being carried out there. This explains the technically advanced military fabrics used by its defence forces. Apart from reliance on technically sound fabrics, the United States of America updates its camouflage patterns as well. Its new camouflage pattern uniforms were launched in the market on 1 July 2015.
With the exception of China, the scenario in developing countries is different. Demand for high performance fibre is extremely high in China. Mounting demand has left countries like Germany, United Kingdom and Italy behind.
India and Pakistan lag further in this field. The reasons for this market are several, such as insufficient research and development and lack of skilled personnel. Another major reason for low use of technically advanced textile in military applications is that there is lack of awareness about the benefits of using the same.
India's defence forces have adopted their own Disruptive Pattern Material for camouflage uniforms. Indian defence forces are one of the major users of protective textiles, but there is a huge gap between the military textiles of developed countries. According to a study conducted by FICCI, many materials currently in use for military purposes are outdated and need immediate upgrading. The domestic textile industry in India is seeking a share of the Rs 2,000 crore annual clothing requirements of more than 15 lakh defence and 12 lakh paramilitary personnel, as India's textile sector has the capability to deliver world-class military gear.
Current military textile specifications in India do not lay emphasis on comfort and safety depending on changing battle field conditions. High mobility and smart looks, which are essential requirements in the US, are often given low priority in India. The main reason for this is lack of availability of upgraded fabrics in developing nations like India and Pakistan.
Nevertheless, India's technical textile sector is expected to grow at 20 per cent per annum between 2015 and 2016. According to a PHD Chamber of Commerce study, India's technical textiles market is likely to reach US$ 32 billion by 2023. This can give a boost to protective clothing required by the armed forces as well.
With increased awareness among developing nations about the safety of defence personnel, the market for military fabric is expanding fast. In the past few decades, the textile material technology has been upgraded regularly. This has resulted in increased usage of technical and smart textiles for the defence services.
References:
1. Nytimes.com
2. Indiatoday.in
3. Rbth.com
4. Nitracoeprotech.org
5. Economictimes.indiatimes.com
6. Researchandmarkets.com
7. Textilelearner.blogspot.com
8. Usatoday.com
9. Advancedtextilessource.com
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