DRDO Successfully Conducts 32,000-Foot Combat Free-Fall Jump Using Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS).

In October 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a combat free-fall jump from an altitude of 32,000 feet using the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS). The test, executed by Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, demonstrated the system’s advanced design, operational efficiency, and strategic capabilities for high-altitude missions.

      - The combat free-fall jump was performed from 32,000 feet, with the parachutes deployed at 30,000 feet. The operation showcased controlled descent and precision landing at the designated drop zone.

      - The jump was executed by Wing Commander Vishal Lakhesh, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) RJ Singh, and MWO Vivek Tiwari of the IAF, demonstrating the parachute system’s reliability in real operational conditions.

      - The MCPS is the only operational parachute system in the Indian Armed Forces (Indian Army, Indian Navy, and IAF) capable of deployment at altitudes above 25,000 feet, enabling high-altitude tactical operations.ent:

Main Point :-   (i) The system provides controlled descent with superior steering, ensuring safe exit, navigation, and precise landing. It is compatible with India’s indigenous satellite navigation system, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), making it resistant to external interference or denial-of-service attacks.

      (ii) MCPS was developed by DRDO laboratories – Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, Uttar Pradesh and Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru, Karnataka – integrating advanced navigation, steering, and safety features.

(iii) MCPS facilitates mass induction of indigenous parachutes, reduces reliance on imports, and ensures maximum operational readiness with minimal maintenance. The 32,000-foot jump meets global standards for High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) and High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) operations, marking a significant milestone for India’s airborne capabilities.