By obtaining intellectual property rights for its recently created digital-print combat coat, the Indian Army has reached a major milestone in its modernization and self-reliance push.
A significant step toward preserving domestic innovation in military clothing has been taken with the official registration of this innovative design with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Kolkata.
After the Army’s revised digital camouflage uniform was unveiled earlier in January 2025, the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) was unveiled. The new coat, which was created by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, as part of a consulting project commissioned by the Army Design Bureau (ADB), uses cutting-edge textile technology to improve protection, comfort, and mobility in military settings.
Highly durable and technical textile materials are integrated into the three-layered garment. It consists of a base layer that controls moisture, an insulated inner jacket for thermal protection, and an outer coat with a pixelated camouflage pattern appropriate for a variety of terrains.
Together, these layers enable adaptation throughout India’s different climatic zones, enhancing operating efficiency during protracted field deployments.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the coat’s ergonomic design structure was created for ease of mobility, quick donning, and compatibility with combat gear and body armor.
Technical assistance from NIFT permitted the integration of smart textile ideas, such as breathability, heat retention and quick-dry qualities, without compromising durability or tactical camouflage efficacy.
The Army was granted ownership rights under the Designs Act, 2000, the Designs Rules, 2001, and the Patents Act, 1970 by Design Application No. 449667-001, dated February 27, 2025, which was formally published in the Patent Office Journal on October 7, 2025. This registration strengthens the Army’s design sovereignty by prohibiting any unauthorized duplication or commercial modification of the coat’s pattern and structure.
The Army’s dedication to indigenous design and material sourcing is demonstrated by the New Coat Combat, which is more than just an improved uniform. By formalizing the intellectual property, the Army tightens quality control and upholds tactical confidentially by ensuring that future production of the coat and its components stays under licensed or authorized oversight.
Additionally, the effort is in line with the Army’s “Decade of Transformation (2023–2032),” which emphasizes innovation, domestic production, and technologically advanced military support systems, as well as the larger Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The project highlights a growing culture of cooperation between Indian design and research organizations and defense agencies, bridging the gap between domestic technological potential and military requirements.
Experts note that this move positions the Army as a proactive stakeholder in military apparel innovation, capable of influencing not only national procurement standards but also future exports in the defence textile sector.
By lowering reliance on imports and improving operational uniformity, the use of local technological fabrics and stringent IPR control over the camouflage pattern provides logistical, financial, and strategic benefits.
In defense design management, the Army’s achievement in obtaining intellectual property protection for its combat coat establishes a standard. It represents a change in perspective that views uniforms and equipment as essential elements of improving capabilities rather than just clothing. In the Indian Army’s quest for self-sufficient, flexible, and technologically advanced combat readiness, this breakthrough marks a significant milestone.
