Central government notifies new Indian standard for bomb disposal systems

The government has released a new Indian Standard IS 19445:2025: Bomb Disposal System Performance Assessment and Requirements, aimed at strengthening India’s internal security preparedness and infrastructure amid growing risks from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance.

Its development was initiated following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs and DRDO’s Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), reflecting the operational challenges faced by security forces and civilian agencies dealing with explosive threats across the country.

The Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, State Police Units and civilian agencies regularly encounter unexploded bombs, IEDs and hand grenades in conflict zones, cantonment areas, airports and public spaces. Bomb disposal systems such as bomb blankets, bomb baskets, and bomb inhibitors are commonly deployed to mitigate these risks. However, until now, India did not have a dedicated national framework to objectively assess the performance and safety of such equipment.

International standards for bomb disposal systems are either restricted in access or are not fully aligned with Indian threat profiles, munitions and operating conditions. The absence of a dedicated Indian standard has created a gap in uniform testing, certification and procurement of bomb disposal equipment, necessitating the development of a national benchmark.

IS 19445:2025 addresses this gap by establishing detailed criteria for evaluating the performance of bomb disposal systems, with emphasis on blast loads and shrapnel effects. It specifies requirements for test equipment, test range conditions and evaluation procedures, and defines acceptance criteria for evaluating system effectiveness in a consistent and objective manner.

The standard is intended to serve as a reference for manufacturers, procurement agencies and accredited testing organizations by clearly defining testing methodologies, devices and compliance requirements. It aims to improve operator safety, increase the reliability of equipment deployed in high-risk situations, and ensure uniformity of evaluation practices across agencies.

IS 19445:2025 was prepared by the Sectional Committee on Arms and Ammunition for Civil Use, with a dedicated group constituted for Bomb Disposal Systems under the leadership of TBRL, DRDO. The process involved input from defense and internal security agencies, central and state government agencies, research institutes, testing experts and domestic manufacturers to ensure operational relevance.