Indigenous Combat Parachute Achieves 32,000-Foot Milestone

In a significant advancement for India's defence capabilities, the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully completed a combat free-fall jump from an altitude of 32,000 feet. This achievement was announced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday.

The jump was carried out by test jumpers from the Indian Air Force, marking the MCPS as the only parachute system currently operational in the Indian Armed Forces that can be deployed from heights above 25,000 feet. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the successful demonstration, calling it a major milestone for India's indigenous defence technology. He congratulated the DRDO, the Armed Forces, and the industry for their contributions to this achievement.

The MCPS was developed by DRDO's Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra and the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory in Bengaluru. The system features enhanced tactical capabilities, including a lower rate of descent and improved steering, allowing paratroopers to exit aircraft safely, deploy parachutes at specific altitudes, and navigate accurately to designated landing zones.

Additionally, the MCPS is compatible with the Navigation with Indian Constellation system, ensuring operational independence and resilience against external interference. The MoD highlighted that this successful test paves the way for broader use of domestically produced parachutes, which will reduce reliance on foreign equipment and improve maintenance turnaround times during conflicts.

The successful jump was executed by Wing Commander Vishal Lakhesh, Master Warrant Officer R J Singh, and Master Warrant Officer Vivek Tiwari, showcasing the reliability and advanced design of this indigenous system. This development is seen as a crucial step towards self-reliance in aerial delivery systems for India.