The Indian Army has started testing jetpack suits that can be strapped on to soldiers to enable them to quickly fly across various kinds of difficult terrain. The Indian Army has placed an order for 48 such jetpack systems, according to British company Gravity Industries which has developed the product.
Yesterday, Richard Browning the founder of #Gravity Industries gave a demo of their #Jetpack system to the Indian Army in #Agra.
The #IndianArmy has issued the requirement to procure 48 such systems.#IADN pic.twitter.com/0dcEW3hjyb
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) February 28, 2023
The demonstration of the jetpacks was carried out at the Indian Army Airborne Training School (AATS) in Agra, officials announced.
The Indian Aerospace Defence News (IADN) shared a video on Twitter showing Gravity Industries founder, Richard Browning, giving a demonstration of the jetpack system and flying over a water body and fields in Agra on Monday.
A video shows Browning flying calmly over buildings as well. He is wearing a jetpack suit with three engines, while one engine is on the back, the other two are strapped to the hands, which helps him to navigate smoothly in the air.
According to experts the jetpacks can be used to reach critical and difficult locations and perhaps could also be used for rescue operations in natural calamities.
In the caption of the post, the IADN informed that the Indian Army has issued the requirement to procure 48 jet pack suits under emergency procurement through the fast track procedure (FTP).
In a following tweet, the officials also wrote that the AATS in Agra imparts training in aerial delivery and air transportation of men and material. It also carries out research and trials about air portability and para-dropping of various types of equipment.
The testing of the jetpack suit also comes at a time when the Indian Army has been strengthening its overall surveillance along the 3,500-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China after the stand-off in Ladakh.
