DRDO and Indian Navy Successfully Test Indigenous ADC-150 Air Droppable Container from P8I Aircraft

GOA March 10, 2026 — In a major boost to India’s maritime logistics and self-reliance in defense, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted a series of in-flight release trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container, ‘ADC-150’.

The trials took place off the coast of Goa between February 21 and March 1, 2026, utilizing the Navy’s P8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. During the testing phase, four successful releases were executed under various extreme conditions, validating the system’s reliability for critical mid-sea operations.

The ADC-150 is indigenously designed to deliver a payload of 150 kg, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities for rapid response. This system allows for the swift delivery of essential stores, medical assistance, and critical equipment to naval vessels in distress or deployed in “blue water” regions far from the coastline.

The project was a collaborative effort led by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, with the Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra developing the specialized parachute system.

Having cleared all developmental flight trials and receiving certification from the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), the ADC-150 is expected to be formally inducted into the Indian Navy in the near future.