indian-army-gets-exclusive-rights-to-new-coat-combat-design

The Indian Army now owns the intellectual property rights to the design of a new coat combat (digital print). National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, designed the 'New Coat Combat' as a consultancy project under the aegis of the Army Design Bureau.  

 

"The Indian Army has successfully registered the design of the new coat combat (digital print) with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Kolkata, under Design Application No. 449667-001, dated February 27, 2025 and published in the Official Journal of the Patent Office on October 7, 2025," it said.

 

With this registration, the exclusive intellectual property rights (IPR) for both the design and camouflage pattern "rest solely" with the Indian Army, the ministry said.

 

Following the unveiling of the new combat uniform (digital print), the Army introduced the new coat combat (digital print) in January 2025, marking another milestone in its ongoing journey towards modernisation, indigenisation, and enhanced soldier comfort, said the Ministry of Defence in its statement.

 

 

It is a three-layered garment — an ensemble includes an outer layer, an inner jacket and a thermal layer. The new coat combat incorporates advanced technical textiles and features an ergonomic design tailored to improve comfort, mobility, and operational efficiency in diverse climatic and tactical conditions.

 

The registration establishes the Army's sole ownership and legal protection against unauthorised manufacturing, reproduction, or commercial use by any non-authorised entity, added the official statement.

 

"Any infringement of these rights will attract legal consequences, including injunctions and claims for damages, as per the provisions of the Designs Act, 2000 and Designs Rules, 2001 and Patents Act, 1970," the statement said.

 

"These garments together represent a leap forward in the integration of combat functionality with comfort and protection, reinforcing the Army's commitment to continuous transformation and soldier welfare," the ministry said.

 

This IPR registration underscores the Indian Army's increasing emphasis on innovation, design protection and self-reliance in defence clothing systems, aligning with the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and the Army's initiative of Decade of Transformation (2023-2032), it said.