By A Correspondent

Chennai: Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), a materials science and engineering company from the 125-year-old Murugappa Group, has achieved STANAG 4569 Level 4 qualification for its end-to-end “powder-to-panel” armour solution for vehicles, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing industry. STANAG 4569 is one of the most stringent global benchmarks for the protection of armoured vehicles.

CUMI’s Level 4 qualification covers its advanced ceramic-based armour solution, designed to protect against high-velocity projectiles and fragmentation while optimising weight for mobility and platform integration. This qualification directly supports the Ministry of Defence’s modernisation programmes for the Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and indigenous armoured vehicle platforms, reducing the country’s dependence on imports and significantly shortening deployment timelines, the company said in a statement on November 11, 2026 (Wednesday).

CUMI’s ballistic protection solutions, including advanced ceramics and ready-to-fit composite armour panels for bulletproof jackets and armoured vehicles, have been successfully validated by leading Indian and international agencies against the most stringent protection standards for various threat levels, including NIJ, BIS, and NATO’s STANAG 4569, it said. CUMI is among the very few Indian companies to receive STANAG 4569 Level 3 and Level 4 certification for IED side-blast protection of armoured vehicles and tanks.

Its ceramic composite armour panels for armoured personnel carriers and tanks have also been certified to STANAG 4569 Levels 2, 3 and 4, strengthening its portfolio of qualified indigenous protection solutions. With this latest qualification, the company has secured 10 global and Indian certifications for armour ceramics and composite armour panels used in personal protection and armoured vehicles, it said.

CUMI’s armour solutions have been tested and validated at the Indian defence research and development agency’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) and IABG, Germany. The company is also in the process of qualifying its advanced ceramic composite panels for STANAG 4569 under-belly blast protection of armoured vehicles. CUMI’s first armour certification was for its patented lightweight composite armour for vehicles, developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL).

“The latest qualification further strengthens CUMI’s ability to provide globally benchmarked, indigenous protection solutions for defence platforms,” the statement said. “Testing and qualification is one of the most critical stages in defence production. Our work directly impacts the lives of soldiers, which is why the qualification criteria are extremely stringent. Even a small deviation can lead to disqualification and months of delay,” CUMI’s head for defence and aerospace, Subbu Venkatachalam, said, commenting on the milestone. “By ensuring that our ballistic protection solutions are already fully qualified at the very start of the supply chain, we enable OEMs and defence partners to build high-performance, mission-critical platforms with complete confidence and without added risk,” Subbu Venkatachalam said.

“The greatest challenges for Indian defence have been the procurement and processing of advanced materials, along with testing and validation. Having the qualifications and certifications for materials and components in advance will give a much-needed shot in the arm to OEMs for accelerated indigenous manufacturing and innovation, as per the most advanced Indian and global benchmarks,” former DRDO Chairman and retired Secretary for Defence Research and Development Department of the Government of India Dr. S. Christopher said.

CUMI’s armour portfolio includes high-performance engineered ceramics such as its patented Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide (RBSiC) and patented Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) composite panels. The company’s end-to-end capability extends from advanced ceramic material development through processing, engineering and manufacturing to ready-to-fit armour panels. These solutions offer superior protection against high-velocity projectiles and fragmentation, while optimising weight for better mobility and platform integration.

The company’s qualified armour solutions include:

• Personal armour ceramics for bulletproof jackets, helmets, neck collars and groin protectors with multi-hit capability, conforming to NIJ III, NIJ IV and BIS Levels 5 & 6.
• Ceramic composite armour panels for armoured personnel carriers and tanks, certified to STANAG 4569 Levels 2, 3 and 4.
• IED side-blast protection panels for armoured vehicles and tanks, qualified to STANAG 4569 Levels 3 and 4.

“The qualification also supports India’s wider defence indigenisation efforts by strengthening domestic capabilities in advanced protection materials and reducing dependence on imported solutions. By developing and qualifying these technologies in India, CUMI is supporting the faster adoption of indigenous armour solutions across future defence programmes,” the company said.

CUMI has strengthened its capacity for advanced ceramic components serving defence applications, with dedicated facilities commissioned during FY2025-26 to address high-value opportunities across Aerospace and Defence. “Backed by over seven decades of materials science expertise, CUMI remains committed to developing world-class, India-made defence materials and strengthening indigenous capabilities across the defence manufacturing value chain,” it added.

CUMI, established as a tripartite joint venture in 1954, is a materials science engineering solutions provider and a mines-to-market company with integrated operations across mining, power generation, fusion, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. Its portfolio spans abrasives, electrominerals, ceramics, refractories and energy storage materials, serving diverse industrial applications across global markets.

In FY2025-26, CUMI undertook its highest-ever capital expenditure programme, with consolidated capital expenditure of ₹3,094 million. These investments included dedicated facilities for advanced ceramic components serving aerospace and defence applications, strengthening the company’s technology base and positioning it for high-value opportunities in specialised materials and engineering.

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