In a shocking revelation confirmed by the Defence Minister of the country, some parachutes designed by a DRDO laboratory were found to be defected for use. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the parliament about the issue. The parachutes designed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), known to be one of the well-established premier laboratories of DRDO, were meant to be used by our paratroopers.

How can they be playing with the lives of our bravest men like this?

The Defence Minister, confirming the appalling state of affairs, said that out of 42 parachutes tested, 14 were in working condition while 28 were found with a tear on the cloth. Even though the test jumps were safe, this is literally playing with the lives of our bravest men. We can't be risking human lives, just to save a few bucks.

Why was the company ever given the clearance?

Minister Parrikar, in a written response, mentioned that the conditional bulk production clearance was given by the army itself. The cloth material was also approved and had no known defects reported back then. The minister also said that ADRDE is the only laboratory in DRDO for design and development for parachutes and a whopping Rs 228.25 lakhs have already been spent developing Combat Free Fall (CFF) parachutes. Along with that, the company also designs and manufactures set ejection parachutes for fighter jets and recovery parachutes for heavy drop system. The minister confirmed that it is only the paratrooper parachutes that reported the issue.

Why was the company ever given the clearance?
Minister Parrikar, in a written response, mentioned that the conditional bulk production clearance was given by the army itself. The cloth material was also approved and had no known defects reported back then. The minister also said that ADRDE is the only laboratory in DRDO for design and development for parachutes and a whopping Rs 228.25 lakhs have already been spent developing Combat Free Fall (CFF) parachutes. Along with that, the company also designs and manufactures set ejection parachutes for fighter jets and recovery parachutes for heavy drop system. The minister confirmed that it is only the paratrooper parachutes that reported the issue.

Why was the company ever given the clearance?
Minister Parrikar, in a written response, mentioned that the conditional bulk production clearance was given by the army itself. The cloth material was also approved and had no known defects reported back then. The minister also said that ADRDE is the only laboratory in DRDO for design and development for parachutes and a whopping Rs 228.25 lakhs have already been spent developing Combat Free Fall (CFF) parachutes. Along with that, the company also designs and manufactures set ejection parachutes for fighter jets and recovery parachutes for heavy drop system. The minister confirmed that it is only the paratrooper parachutes that reported the issue.