Jet Pack Suits to Potentially Debut in Kashmir and Defend Key Points Near China, Pakistan

The Indian Army is set to deploy jet pack suits to enhance its surveillance capabilities on the borders with China and Pakistan and combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The suits use gas or liquid fuel-powered engines to propel the wearer into the air, and must be able to carry a person weighing at least 80 kg and fly at a minimum speed of 50 kmph for at least eight minutes, according to the Indian Army's January 2023 tender. British company Gravity Industries, owned by ex-marine and innovator Richard Browning, recently demonstrated the technology to the Army Airborne Training School (AATS) in Agra. The jet pack is expected to debut in Jammu and Kashmir soon, according to an Indian Army official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The technology will be suitable for desert, marine, and mountain warfare, according to the Army's purchase requirements. The jet pack could also be equipped with infrared goggles to scan vegetation and identify enemy combatants. Military strategists are considering the jet pack suit a significant disruptor in the tactical battle space, similar to drone technology on the battlefield, and a force multiplier in counter-terrorism efforts in urban and semi-urban settings.

Gravity Industries developed the military version jet suit, which uses five gas turbine engines that generate over 1,000 hp and 144 kg of thrust, enabling vertical lift of up to 12,000 ft. The jet suit runs on jet fuel, diesel, or kerosene, and was initially designed for search and rescue and medical rescue operations. The Indian Navy's marine commando unit (MARCOS) sees the suit's potential in reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, sniper placement, and quick exfiltration. The UK's Royal Navy and the US Marine Corps already use the jetpack suit in various limited roles.