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New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) In a major development, the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) indigenously developed by DRDO has successfully conducted a combat free-fall jump from a height of 32,000 feet, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Wednesday.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, armed forces and industry on the successful demonstration and called it an important milestone for India’s indigenous defense capability.
According to the Defense Ministry, the jump was carried out by test jumpers of the Indian Air Force, demonstrating the efficiency, reliability and advanced design of the indigenous system.
“This achievement makes the MCPS the only parachute system currently in operational use by the Indian Armed Forces that is capable of deployment above 25,000 feet,” the Defense Ministry said in its press release.
Notably, MCPS was developed by DRDO laboratories – Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra and Defense Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, Bengaluru.
“It incorporates a number of advanced tactical features, including reduced rate of descent and improved steering capabilities, which enable paratroopers to safely eject from the aircraft, deploy the parachute at a predetermined altitude, navigate accurately and land in designated areas,” the Defense Ministry said.
“The system has navigation compatibility with the Indian constellation, it also provides freedom of use against any adversary of our choice and is not vulnerable to interference/denial of service by external parties/nations,” it said.
The ministry stressed that the success of this system has opened the doors to induction of indigenous parachute systems.
This will ensure maximum utility of the parachute system over its lifetime due to minimal time for routine maintenance and repairs compared to imported equipment, and will also reduce dependence on other countries for its serviceability in times of conflict and war.
Sameer V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defense Research and Development and Chairman, DRDO, praised the DRDO team involved in the demonstration and called it a major step towards self-reliance in the field of aerial delivery systems.
–IANS
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