Absolute Composite, a Bengaluru-based startup, has created a jetpack suit that caught the attention of the Indian Army at Aero India 2023. The Army plans to test the suit, which can enable soldiers to fly 10km in 10 minutes, in March.
The Army has requested proposals for 48 suits and will initiate large-scale procurement if they pass the test. The suit weighs 3kg, has 70% indigenised components, and can fly soldiers weighing up to 80kg. The jetpack suit could be useful in impassable landscapes, natural calamities, landslides, fire emergencies, and building collapses.
Raghav Reddy, Managing Director of Absolute Composites, said the company did not pitch to the Army, but it responded to the Army’s Request for Proposal. The jetpack suit consists of a backpack with a 30-litre diesel tank and electronics. The tank is configurable, and the suit is powered by a gas turbine, which can lift a soldier to a height of 10-15m with a top speed of 50 km/h. The company has spent two years manufacturing the product and is excited about the opportunity to supply the Army.