India remains the only Asian nation to have officially demonstrated and deployed the airborne insertion of Special Operations RHIBs, a tactic known as the “duck drop”, with elite forces like the Garud Commando Force and Para (SF) parachuting military boats from heavy-lift aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules into water bodies for covert infiltration.

This capability has been validated in exercises over reservoirs like Tehri Dam and is supported by indigenous heavy air-drop systems developed with DRDO’s ADRDE.

The airborne insertion of RHIBs represents a rare and highly specialised capability. By parachuting rigid-hulled inflatable boats directly into lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, Indian special forces can conduct rapid infiltration missions without relying on conventional naval approaches.

This tactic is particularly effective for penetrating contested zones where stealth and speed are critical. The Garud Commando Force and Para (SF) have been the primary units to train in this method, ensuring India’s special operations community retains a unique edge in unconventional warfare.

The operational backbone of this capability lies in heavy-lift aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules. These platforms are capable of deploying both the tactical watercraft and the operators in synchronised drops.

The aircraft’s ability to operate from short and semi-prepared runways makes it ideal for missions requiring flexibility and surprise. Exercises conducted over the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand have demonstrated how airborne RHIB insertion can replicate border incursions, enabling forces to practise infiltration across inland water bodies that simulate riverine or reservoir-based defences.

Supporting this capability is India’s indigenous progress in aerial delivery systems. The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) has collaborated with private industry to develop heavy air-drop platforms capable of handling payloads up to 20 tonnes.

Trials at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges validated the deployment of armoured personnel carriers and combat platforms using twin 28-foot extractor parachutes. These innovations ensure that India can adapt similar systems for RHIB deployment, enhancing reliability and reducing dependence on foreign technology.

The duck drop tactic is not merely about equipment but about doctrine. It reflects India’s emphasis on multi-domain special operations, where air, land, and water assets are integrated seamlessly. By inserting RHIBs from the air, forces can bypass traditional chokepoints, infiltrate behind enemy lines, and establish forward operating bases in contested waters. Such missions are invaluable in scenarios ranging from counter-terrorism to high-intensity conflict, particularly in regions where riverine and coastal geography plays a decisive role.

India’s demonstration of this capability also underscores its broader commitment to indigenous innovation under the Make in India initiative. The validation of heavy air-drop systems and their operational deployment with the Army highlights how domestic industry and research institutions are advancing aerial delivery technology. This ensures that specialised tactics like duck drops are sustainable and scalable, aligning with India’s long-term defence modernisation goals.

The uniqueness of this capability in Asia is significant. While other nations possess advanced special operations forces, none have publicly demonstrated the airborne insertion of RHIBs. India’s ability to combine elite training, heavy-lift aircraft, and indigenous delivery systems places it in a distinct category, reinforcing its reputation as a regional leader in unconventional warfare.

Agencies