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News Release
Du Pont de Nemours International S.A.
Advanced Fibre Systems
P.O. Box 50
CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
Geneva, Switzerland
www.kevlar.com
www.dupont.com/nomex
New generation bullet resistant vest in KEVLAR
promise greater
protection for French Gendarmes
DuPont and specialist protective equipment manufacturer
Comoditex* have perfected a
new generation of bullet resistant vests in KEVLAR
brand fibre for the French
Gendarmes.
An innovative technical solution
The prime advantage of the solution developed by DuPont and
Comoditex rests in the level of
protection and in the quality of comfort achieved. An innovative
combination of two types of
KEVLAR fibre gives the new vest immense ballistic resistance,
while a new flexible,
lightweight structure makes it more relaxing to wear. The weight
of the vest now ranges from a
mere 1.4 to 2.5 kg, depending on the size.
A systematic research programme has led to the optimisation of
the garments already
considerable wearability with more supple armholes and a
shorter-waisted body length - and
there are eight different sizes available. Above all, the
new-generation bullet resistant vest
provides significantly greater freedom of movement and is
compatible with a wide range of
different physiques.
Furthermore, the fabrics used for the vest's inner and outer
shells have been carefully selected to
provide optimum comfort. An example of this being the highly
permeable lining material which
lets the body breathe and controls moisture. The result is that
the wearer of this new concealable
vest will be comfortable in most conceivable operational
circumstances including on-foot and
vehicular patrol duties, with excellent freedom to move about
and take action.
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Meeting the protection requirements of the gendarmes
The Gendarmeries requirement for a new ballistic apparel system
partly stems from the
inadequacy of many of the previous offerings, which are often
overly heavy and provide
insufficient protection. However, another significant reason
relates to a planned significant
increase in the number of officers. The number of new recruits
is expected to double to a total of
4000 this year with a high proportion of these being women.
These are amongst the factors that have led the French Defense
Ministry to review its personal
protection strategy and boost its budget for protection
equipment from 6 million francs to around
200 million francs (30.5 million Euros).
This first consignment of 57,000 vests out of a total of 140,000
planned have already been
delivered and are being distributed to gendarmes in the field
and to members of the anti-riot
police in high-risk areas such as inner city areas, the Atlantic
Pyrenees region, and Corsica.
"Within two years, the entire gendarmerie force, including
reservists, will be equipped with the
bullet resistant vests developed by DuPont and Comoditex, says
Colonel L. HENRY, head of
the Procurement Department at the French Gendarmerie.
Effective personal protection equipment is crucial for high-risk
professions
"The new vest from DuPont and Comoditex provides maximum
protection, in particular at the
seams, waist, and sides. Its good body cover, excellent
technical performance and favourable
ergo-engineering characteristics mean that our gendarmes are
getting a first rate protective
system.
Other French administrative departments have already
acknowledged these qualities and
negotiations are currently underway for several thousand customs
officers to be equipped with
the new vests.
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During 2002, DuPont (www.dupont.com) is celebrating its 200th
year of scientific achievement
and innovation providing products and services that improve the
lives of people everywhere.
Based in Wilmington, Del., DuPont delivers science-based
solutions for markets that make a
difference in peoples lives in food and nutrition; health care;
apparel; home and construction;
electronics; and transportation.
*Comoditex is a subsidiary of the Bacou-Dalloz Group,
France.
# # #
30/07/02 Ref. AFS 2171
Contact : Simone HUGUETPress Office DuPont Advanced Fibre
SystemsTl : +41 22 717 58 20Fax : +41 22 717 60
[email protected]
DuPont and KEVLAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
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DuPont KEVLAR Picture selection
Please e-mail your choice to [email protected]
indicating the reference numbers
of the pictures you wish to receive to illustrate your
article.
Ref. 2171 1
New generation bullet resistant vest in KEVLAR.
(Photo Rights : SIRPA Gendarmerie, France)
Ref. 2171 2
A French Gendarme equipped with the new generation bullet
resistant vest in KEVLAR.
(Photo Rights: SIRPA Gendarmerie, France)
Note to the editor:
The use of the images (photos, slides, transparencies, etc.)
granted by DuPont is authorised only in connection withthe
editorial material supplied by DuPont itself and cannot be used to
illustrate material related to products and/or
services given by companies other than DuPont.
30/07/02 Ref. AFS 2171
DuPont and KEVLAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
