Items like special snow socks, HAPO chambers, snow goggles, thermal insoles and ruck sacks used by Defence personnel posted in Siachen Glacier will now be manufactured in the country. <br/><br/>These items will be of matching quality and will be available at much cheaper price. Till recently these items used in super high altitude areas are being imported. <br/><br/>This was announced by Textile Minister Smriti Irani while inaugurating a two day Defence Indian Technical Textile Association Joint Seminar cum Exhibition in New Delhi today. <br/><br/>The seminar is on the topics related to developments in personal and protective clothing as also building, medical and geo textiles.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Ms Irani highlighted the need for exploiting the advanced research and development facilities for improving the existing inventory of the Army. She said, the textile industry should strive to serve Indian defence forces. <br/><br/>Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat reiterated that joint initiatives between the Textile Ministry, Defence Ministry and industry assume significance as principal items of Ordnance Equipment Factory are going to be offered to the trade on a permanent basis in the coming years.