The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

Before launching the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka during 1987, India imported parachutes for its intervention in Sri Lanka with the IPKF. India imported parachutes from France and South Korea to meet the requirements of any possible airborne operations. In the mid-1980s, France was a major arms supplier to India, delivering advanced equipment like Mirage 2000 fighter jets and submarines. These supply networks likely facilitated the procurement of parachutes and other systems on short notice for the IPKF mission. With South Korea, India had limited but established military ties at that time; South Korea was heavily dependent on imported military designs at the time and sourced its own equipment from various foreign manufacturers, including France.

In October 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved major milestone in critical defence technologies by indigenously developing the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS)

The decision to airlift supplies to Jaffna was made quickly after a naval flotilla carrying humanitarian aid was turned back by the Sri Lankan Navy in June 1987. The sudden need for a large-scale airborne operation required immediate readiness and equipment. The mission involved dropping 25 tonnes of food and medicine from five An-32 transport aircraft. Standard supply-dropping parachutes were needed for the operation, and India's existing inventory was likely supplemented with imports to ensure a sufficient and reliable supply.

No airborne drop of paratroopers was undertaken as part of IPKF operations in Sri Lanka. However, it is significant to note that the DRDO did not have the requisite compatible equipment to test the imported French and South Korean parachutes. When the DRDO tested these imported parachutes with its own testing apparatus, these parachutes suffered tear because of additional strain and pressure.

In 2008, the Indian Air Force (IAF) ordered quantity 600 Combat Free Fall (CFF) parachutes from the US as part of a deal for C-130 Hercules aircraft. Data from 2023 shows that the US was India's top import partner for parachutes, followed by countries like the Czech Republic and Vietnam, and China. But India stopped relying solely on imported free-fall parachutes from the US and moved towards domestic production following a critical 2016 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. The report revealed that a 2008 deal for US-made parachutes, specifically the C-130 Hercules chutes, suffered from a high failure rate during trials in 2014. In 2012, the media reported a potential scam involving the import of parachutes for India's Special Frontier Force (SFF). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) ultimately aborted the procurement process after a detailed inquiry report was submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat.

It is the only parachute system currently in operational use by the Indian Armed Forces capable of deployment above 25,000 feet

While India continued to import specialised components from various countries, the 2016 CAG report and the subsequent successful indigenisation efforts marked a turning point in India's acquisition of free-fall parachutes from the US. As of January 2025, India was still importing parachutes from the US, but it has significantly increased its efforts toward domestic production. Recent developments indicate a stronger push toward self-reliance in this area. The Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative and a negative import list for defence items aimed to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

In October 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved major milestone in critical defence technologies by indigenously developing the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS). The MCPS has successfully undergone a combat free fall jump from an altitude of 32,000 feet, with the parachute system deploying at an altitude of 30,000 feet. It is the only parachute system currently in operational use by the Indian Armed Forces capable of deployment above 25,000 feet. The combat freefall jump was executed by test jumpers Wg Cdr Vishal Lakhesh, MWO R.J. Singh & MWO Vivek Tiwari, showcasing the efficiency, reliability, and advanced design of the indigenous system.

The successful combat freefall test jump has opened the doors for induction of this indigenous parachute system that will reduce dependency on imports and serviceability of parachute systems

The MCPS has been designed by DRDO's Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, and the Bengaluru-based Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory. The MCPS consists of several enhanced tactical features, including a lower rate of descent and superior steering capabilities. The system has compatibility with Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC). The significance of Military Combat Parachute System is that it enables paratroopers to safely exit the aircraft, deploy parachutes at predetermined altitudes, navigate accurately, and land at the designated zones. The MCPS also provides the freedom of use against any adversary of our choice and is not susceptible to interference/denial of service by outside parties/nations. The successful combat freefall test jump has opened the doors for induction of this indigenous parachute systems. This will also reduce dependency on other nations for imports and serviceability of parachute systems, especially during times of conflict and war.