By Lucy Rana and Huda Jafri
In a landmark stride towards fortifying India’s defence innovation landscape, the Indian Army has secured exclusive Intellectual Property Rights for its newly developed New Coat Combat (Digital Print). More than just a uniform, this cutting-edge combat gear represents the seamless fusion of technology, ergonomics, and strategic foresight, designed to enhance soldier performance while safeguarding national security. Following the Army’s earlier success with the Improved Combat Uniform in 2022,[1] this new registration underscores a broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Army’s Decade of Transformation (2023–2032), where indigenisation, modernisation, and legal protection of defence innovations converge. Beyond functionality, the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) now enjoys formal legal recognition, ensuring that India’s homegrown military innovations remain both pioneering and protected in an era where technology and security go hand in hand.[2]
A Breakthrough in Military Apparel Innovation
Following the launch of the revamped New Combat Uniform (Digital Print), the Army in January 2025 unveiled the upgraded three-layered New Coat Combat. Designed and developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, under the Army Design Bureau’s guidance, the garment integrates advanced technical textiles, a digitally engineered camouflage pattern, and an ergonomic structure that enhances soldier performance in complex terrains.
The ensemble comprises:
- Outer Layer: Digitally printed camouflage coat offering durability and terrain concealment.
- Inner Jacket: Lightweight insulated mid-layer enabling warmth without restricting mobility.
- Thermal Base Layer: A moisture-regulating, body-heat-retaining layer for extreme climates.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191676®=3&lang=2
Collectively, these layers reflect a synergistic blend of science, design, and operational functionality, demonstrating how defence apparel has evolved into a specialised technological domain deserving of formal IP protection.
Design Registration: Legal Significance and Protection Framework
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191676®=3&lang=2
The design of the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) has been registered under:
- Design Application No. 449667-001,
- Filed on 27 February 2025,
- Published in the Patent Office Journal on 07 October 2025,
- With the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Kolkata.
This registration grants the Indian Army exclusive ownership over the design and camouflage pattern, preventing unauthorised commercial production or reproduction. Such protection is crucial, as camouflage patterns and defence attire are often vulnerable to counterfeiting, unauthorised replication, and misuse, especially with the rise of private sellers and imitation gear in the commercial market.
Legal Rights Conferred
Under the Designs Act, 2000 and Designs Rules, 2001, the Army enjoys:
- Exclusive proprietary rights over the registered design.
- Protection against unauthorised manufacturing or imitation.
- Legal remedies including injunctions, seizure orders, and claims for damages.
- Recognition of the Army as the sole commercial and moral rights holder of the camouflage pattern and coat design.
Additionally, infringement may trigger actions under the Patents Act, 1970, where applicable, further strengthening enforceability.
Relevance of IPR in Defence: A Growing Global and National Imperative
Armies worldwide increasingly rely on specialised, IP-protected gear to safeguard national security interests. In India, the formal registration of defence-related IPR demonstrates a maturing ecosystem where innovation is not merely produced, but legally secured and strategically governed.
Key national implications include:
- Preventing counterfeits that could compromise soldier safety.
- Ensuring consistent supply of authentic, standardised military gear.
- Encouraging domestic R&D institutions like NIFT, DRDO, and ADB to pursue innovation with assurance of legal protection.
- Reinforcing India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Army’s proactive approach reflects a sophisticated understanding that IP enforcement is as critical as technological advancement.
Conclusion
The successful IPR registration of the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) marks a pivotal advancement in India’s defence innovation landscape. It reinforces that modern militaries must protect not only territories but also technologies. For India, this move underscores a commitment to strengthening strategic autonomy, safeguarding innovation, and legally insulating critical defence assets from misuse.
As the Indian Army continues its Decade of Transformation, such IP-conscious measures will form the backbone of a more secure, modern, and self-reliant defence apparatus, one where innovation is valorised not just on the battlefield but also in the legal arena.
[1] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1873430®=3&lang=2
[1] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191676®=3&lang=2