New Delhi: India has successfully test-fired an indigenously developed military combat parachute system (MCPS) from an altitude of 32,000 feet, marking a major leap in the country’s defense capabilities and self-reliance efforts, the defense ministry said on Wednesday.
Developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the MCPS is now the only parachute system in operational service by the Indian Armed Forces capable of being deployed above 25,000 feet, the ministry said in a press release.
The parachute system was designed and developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra and the Defense Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) in Bengaluru. It underwent a successful free-fall combat jump from 32,000 feet by Indian Air Force test jumpers and demonstrated the advanced design, efficiency and reliability of the original system, officials said.
According to the department, the MCPS includes several improved tactical features, including a lower rate of descent and superior control capabilities, allowing paratroopers to safely exit aircraft, deploy parachutes at predetermined altitudes, navigate precisely and land in designated zones.
A notable feature of the system is its compatibility with Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) – India’s indigenous satellite navigation system – which ensures freedom of use without dependence on foreign networks and protects it from interference or denial of service by adversaries.
The success of the MCPS will “open the door for the induction of fully indigenous parachute systems,” the ministry said, as quoted by PTI.
The ministry added that the domestic system will also reduce the time required for maintenance and repair compared to imported equipment, ensure maximum benefit during its lifetime and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers during conflicts or wars.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the armed forces and industry partners for the achievement, calling it a “significant milestone” in strengthening India’s indigenous defense manufacturing ecosystem.
DRDO chairman Samir V Kamat praised the team behind the project and described the development as a “major step towards self-sufficiency” in the field of aerial delivery systems.
