Product Description: NRP (Nylon Reinforced Plastic) ballistic helmet is designed to replace heavier steel helmets while still meeting all the requirements in headgear design for combat wearing. Some of the advantages of the NRP ballistic helmets include better bullet-proof effect, light weight, simple design, low heat conductivity and removable interior parts. The helmets to be produced vary depending upon their specific uses. The standard products are ground troops' helmet, parachutist helmet, rock jumping helmet, navy ballistic helmet and linear helmet. .
Market Potential: Apart from regular uniforms, all the requirements of the armed forces of almost all developing countries are imported from developed countries. To cloth, equip and arm their armed forces, developing countries spend huge amount of foreign exchange resources every year. All the East African countries import almost all the requirements of their armies. One of the most important requirements of any soldier for combat is helmet. This essential protective headgear is not produced in any of the countries of the East Africa sub-region. Our country, with the largest population in the sub-region does not produce this life saving military outfit at home. As a result, it is forced to spend million of dollars to import this product from abroad. The demand for ballistic helmet depends on the size of the armed forces of a country. The size of these forces in the sub-region could justify the establishment of a medium size NRP ballistic helmet producing plant. The economic size of such a plant is much below the potential demand of the product both in Ethiopia and the sub-region.
Source of raw material: The main raw materials required are ballistic nylon cloth, phenol formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, olive green pigment, rubber edging and adhesives. Almost all the inputs will be imported.
4. Process and Technology: Method of manufacture of NRP ballistic helmets involves about six main stages. For making the body of the helmet, the process includes:
· based on 3-1 make a coating of resin and O.G. pigment on the nylon cloth and mold 8 ply with press,
· The rim of this molded helmet should be smoothly and uniformly finished and it must be attached tightly in the shape of a ball,
· In order to attach hardware on the body, 15 drilling is performed.
Preparation of the interior involves.
· 6 clips are attached to the head band so they can be worn or removed from body.
· Back head rest be attached on the rear head with buckle so that it can be flexible for adjustment of position.
· head band leather is attached by using 6 spring clips
· To attach neck band on both sides on body so that it is fixed on its position, use clips to band so that helmet is removable when it sustains an impact.
The next manufacturing stages include painting of the helmet, checking its weight, undertaking ballistic and impact testing and packing. Machinery and equipment needed are mixer, coating machine, hydraulic press, mold, trimming machine, cutting machine, grinding machine, drilling machine, riveting machine, welding machine, sewing machine, boiler, lathe, compressor, painting unit, oven, balance and piping.
Estimated Investment: For a plant which can produce about 5,000 helmets per month, the estimated investment will be:-
Ø Buildings/shades 5000 m2 at Birr 2500/m2 = Birr 12,500,000
Ø Plant and Machinery.......................... .. = Birr 7,000,000
Ø Working capital................................... .. = Birr 2,000,000
Total = Birr 21,500,000
Benefits: Saves and earns foreign exchange, promotes self-sufficiency in a critical combat outfit.
Location: Bahir Dar and Combolcha.