The Indian Army has initiated emergency procurement of jetpacks for surveillance and combat duties in sensitive border zones, including the frontier with China. This development has been reported by CNN News18 citing official military briefings.
A demonstration of the jetpack system was shown at the Indian Army Airborne School in Agra, according to the channel. In a video shared by Indian Aerospace Defense News on social media, Richard Browning, founder of Gravity Industries, is seen showcasing the equipment’s capabilities, gliding over water, skimming past structures, crossing fields, and navigating roads. The display underscores the system’s potential for rapid, flexible movement over varied terrain.
The Indian Army Airborne School (AATS) in Agra is described as a training center for airborne personnel and material drop operations, along with air transport activities. It also serves as a hub for research and testing of airborne capabilities across diverse equipment configurations, helping to validate new technologies for field use.
Total procurement will involve 48 jetpacks, acquired through an accelerated process aimed at rapid deployment and integration with existing airborne units. The move reflects a broader push to modernize border defenses and expand rapid response options in high-altitude and difficult-to-access regions.
Earlier security assessments noted the likelihood of further clashes between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh and other Himalayan frontier areas. The assessments point to concerns over China’s growing military infrastructure and its implications for regional balance of power, supported by intelligence indicators observed along the border.
Media briefings and defense analyses have suggested that Chinese activity in border zones has been accompanied by the creation of buffer zones and measures that could shift the line of control in practice, prompting strategic responses from Indian authorities. The broader context remains a long-standing border dispute that stretches roughly 3,500 kilometers and traces back to post-independence negotiations and disagreements from the 1950s onward.
Historically, tensions between the two nations have produced deadly clashes, including a tragic incident in 2020 that resulted in the loss of at least 24 soldiers. Since then, military and diplomatic talks have produced periods of de-escalation, though occasional flare-ups have occurred. In December 2022, a fresh confrontation arose in the Eastern Himalayas, yet it did not escalate to casualties, highlighting the fragile balance maintained through dialogue and risk management.
Public opinion surveys conducted among a broad sample of Indians in recent years have shown varying perceptions of regional threats. A significant portion of respondents identified China as a primary security concern, with the United States and Pakistan also appearing in the mix of perceived risks, illustrating the multi-layered security environment faced by the country and the need for adaptive defense planning.
As defense modernization continues, analysts note that the jetpack program could provide new tactical advantages, enabling rapid vertical ascent, reconnaissance, and the potential for unexpected approaches in contested areas. The assessments emphasize that technology acquisition is only one part of a comprehensive strategy that also relies on intelligence, training, and international coordination to maintain stability along the border and minimize the risk of escalation.