AGRA: In a major boost to the government’s Make in India initiative, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment ( ADRDE ) in Agra used indigenously built parachutes to successfully paradrop a 16-tonne tank from a record height of 4,400m in Leh , Ladakh.

The Indian Air Force’s Gajraj (Ilyushin Il-76) aircraft dropped the Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty (BMP) infantry fighting vehicle using the indigenously-developed Heavy Drop System-16T (tonnes) ​in the first week of April.

ADRDE spokesperson Vikas B Thakare said: “Earlier, ADRDE had successfully completed a performance evaluation by conducting five users’ assisted technical trials, including one high altitude simulated trial at Rajasthan in February 2015.”

According to the official, the trial parameters met the performance criteria successfully and created a milestone for a 16-tonne paradrop at this altitude.

He said: “The technology has ‘drop and drive’ capability and was carried out at this altitude for the first time in the country and probably the world. The maiden high altitude area trial was witnessed by all stakeholders and the users (military representatives), who applauded the success of the drop.”

ADRDE director Dr S C Sati, praising the success of the project supervised by group director of parachute S P Singh, said: “The success is expected to make armed forces self-sufficient, ​​​reducing its dependence on imported parachute​s. ​These chutes will help in the quick deployment of such heavy equipment in difficult terrain, especially in the north-east where rapid deployment would be an operational boon.”

He added: “This indigenous development of critical defence technology is a step towards the country’s ‘Make in India’ mission.”

