IAF men do freefall jump with combat parachute at 27k-ft in sky

Lucknow: Enhancing capabilities of special forces to penetrate beyond the enemy line without getting detected, on Thursday, the DRDO's Agra-based lab, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in joint collaboration with Indian Air Force (IAF), demonstrated combat freefall jump of indigenously designed and developed military combat parachute system (MCPS) from the altitude of 27,000 ft (8.23km) with full combat gear making it the only parachute system capable of deployed above 25,000 ft currently in use by Indian armed forces.
The jump was carried out by Wg Cdr Vishal Lakhesh VM(G), Master Warrant officer (MWO) RJ Singh and MWO AA Baidya.
Last month at 15th Aero India, Bengaluru, the aerospace and defence exhibition, ADRDE and Kanpur-based Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF) made an agreement for transfer of technology to manufacture the MCPS. Apart from OPF, Kanpur, Chandigarh-based Airbornics Defence & Space Pvt Ltd has also received transfer of technology (ToT).
"MCPS offers improved tactical features, including a lower rate of descent and enhanced steering capabilities. It enables paratroopers to jump from the aircraft and deploy their parachutes at predetermined altitudes, navigate and land safely at designated areas," ADRDE said.
More than 350 trials were executed by ADRDE and Paratrooper Training School (PTS) of IAF, Agra. The system was commissioned in 2023.
The system payload capacity is 200 kg with maximum deployment altitude of 30,000 ft (9.1km) and could be deployed at the velocity of 280 kmph.
MCPS enables paratroopers to infiltrate with combat load into designated areas of operations, gliding up to 40km range after jump from an aircraft, and deploying their parachutes at predetermined altitude, navigate and land safely as a tactical unit at desired target.
The parachute system has been cleared for operation according to the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification.