India’s Home‑Made Parachute Shows Capability at Extreme Altitudes

On 6 October, Indian troops executed a high‑altitude jump from 16,000 feet over Ladakh’s Nyoma region to put DRDO’s indigenous parachute through its paces. The canopy deployed at about 15,500 feet, and the jumper landed safely at 13,700 feet, validating the system’s ability to function in thin air and cold temperatures.

The parachute, fabricated at the Kanpur Ordnance Parachute Factory and approved by the Aeronautical Quality Assurance Directorate, is capable of operations up to 18,000 feet. Its design accommodates a static line for mass deployments and offers various opening methods to reduce the impact shock that can endanger personnel at extreme heights.

The Ministry of Defence highlighted the test as proof of India’s growing defence technology base, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh praised the collaborative effort of DRDO, the armed forces and the domestic manufacturing sector.