DRDO’s high-altitude parachute makes first live jump from 16,000 feet:Opened at 15,500 feet over Ladakh’s Nyoma drop zone

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday, October 6, conducted the first live jump of the indigenously developed AHAP parachute system at Nyoma in Ladakh. The test was carried out from an altitude of 16,000 feet to assess the parachute’s suitability for operations in extremely high-altitude areas. During the test, the parachute opened at around 15,500 feet, and the personnel landed safely at the Nyoma Drop Zone, located at an altitude of about 13,700 feet. Designed for high-altitude military operations The AHAP is a static-line parachute system designed to enable the deployment of large numbers of paratroopers in extremely high-altitude areas. According to the Ministry of Defence, the successful test demonstrated the system’s operational capability and military utility. The parachute has an operational altitude limit of up to 18,000 feet and is designed to provide a safe descent rate. This makes it particularly suitable for the requirements of the Indian armed forces operating in high-altitude regions. A static-line jump at such altitudes is considered challenging because of the strong opening shock generated when the parachute deploys, along with the high rate of descent. Developed and manufactured in India The AHAP was designed and developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, a DRDO laboratory. It was manufactured by the Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF), Kanpur. The system was evaluated by the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) and certified by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), RCMA Kanpur. The Ministry of Defence said the parachute provides multiple deployment options and has been developed keeping in mind the demanding requirements of military operations at extreme altitudes. Rajnath Singh congratulates DRDO team Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and industry partners involved in the successful live jump. He described the achievement as another significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities. Defence Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development, along with DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, also congratulated the teams involved in designing and developing the AHAP system. ​