The Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Navy have successfully completed four in-flight release trials of the indigenously developed Air Droppable Container ADC-150 from a P8I maritime patrol aircraft off the coast of Goa, marking a significant step forward in India’s naval operational logistics capability and self-reliance in defence technology.
The trials were conducted between February 21 and March 1, 2026, across a range of extreme release conditions to validate the system’s performance under demanding real-world scenarios. All four trials were successful. The ADC-150 is designed to deliver a 150 kg payload — comprising critical stores, equipment, or medical supplies — to naval vessels in distress operating in blue-water deployments far from the coast, where conventional resupply is not possible.
The development of the ADC-150 was a coordinated achievement across multiple DRDO establishments. The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam served as the nodal laboratory for the programme. The Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra developed the parachute system, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification in Bengaluru provided flight clearance and certification, and the Defence Research and Development Laboratory in Hyderabad supplied instrumentation support for the trials.
The Ministry of Defence noted that the ADC-150 system was developed and qualified within a short timeframe to meet the Indian Navy’s operational requirements — a testament to DRDO’s accelerating pace of indigenous development. Induction into the Indian Navy is now expected shortly following the completion of all developmental flight trials.