Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at one of the highest-altitude drop zones, Nyoma (Mudh DZ).

The jump was executed at 16,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The parachute was deployed at 15,500 feet AMSL and landing was undertaken at Nyoma (Mudh DZ) which is at 13,700 feet. The jump proved the efficacy and tactical employability of the AHAP parachute at extremely High-Altitude Terrains.

Designed and developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, AHAP is a static line parachute system for mass drop of paratroopers.

The system has been manufactured by Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF) Kanpur, inspected by DGAQA and certified by CEMILAC, RCMA Kanpur.

AHAP offers various deployment modes, has a very wide operational altitude range (up to 18,000 ft) and has the safest rate of descent especially suited for the tactical requirements of the Indian Defence Forces for high-altitude terrains. Static line parachute jumps at these high altitudes are complex and inherently risky owing to very high opening shock and rate of descent.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, Defence Forces, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry on the successful maiden live jump of AHAP indigenous parachute system and termed it as another big step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Defence secretary and secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman, DRDO Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated the team members associated with the design and development of the system.