The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a riot gear for women police personnel and paramilitary officers, taking into account their bodily measurement, Hindustan Times has reported.

The suit is being dubbed as ‘first of its kind’ and was displayed in Jalandhar at an exhibition organised alongside the 106th Indian Science Congress (ISC), which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Till now women have been using the same riot gear designed for men that do not fit them well,” Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences’ (DIPAS) Technical Officer Indrajeet Singh was quoted in the report as saying.

The new suit has been designed on ‘anthropogenic’ measurements of women across the country and is made using a novel fire and acid resistant material. DRDO is in the process to patent the material. The gear comes in three sizes - small, medium and large - and provides protection against blunt impact.

The weight of the new suits is much lighter than its predecessors and also provides more cover. The bodysuit, backside of which is designed in a shape of a spine, covers the entire upper body.

Singh informed that armed guards attached with the suit provide cover to the entire hand, and even the inner side and the wrist. The suit is also equipped with a pelvis guard, separate guard for thighs, shin and calf. The quality tests on the suits are currently underway.