A cable is disclosed that can be used to reinforce a crown protection ply and/or a stiffener (9) in tires for heavy industrial vehicles. Also disclosed are composite fabrics that can be used as crown protection plies and/or as stiffeners (9) in such tires, and the tires themselves. The cable comprises three strands twisted together in helix of pitch p2, each consisting of two metallic wires twisted together in helix of pitch p1, these wires having diameters (d1, d2), (d1′, d2′), (d1″, d2″) for the strands, respectively, such that the cable satisfies the following conditions: (i)0.25