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2w ago

German Military Retracts Critical Report on New Parachute System

A Bundeswehr report citing safety risks and high costs for the EPC-B parachute was withdrawn one day after its release for revision, raising transparency concerns.

Soldaten des Kommando Spezialkräfte der Bundeswehr (KSK) bei einer Sprungübung mit Fallschirm.
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Overview

  • The EPC-B parachute system, introduced in 2024, faces operational restrictions due to safety concerns and limited durability, with jumps capped at 1,000 meters and a six-year lifespan.
  • An internal BAAINBw report warned of frequent canopy collisions and entanglements during jumps, posing a significant risk to paratroopers' safety.
  • The report also criticized manufacturer Safran’s German subsidiary for lacking sufficient technical knowledge to address the system’s issues effectively.
  • The Bundeswehr retracted the report a day after its release, citing a 'bureaucratic error,' and announced plans to revise its findings.
  • The EPC-B’s limitations and additional procurement costs of €11.5 million have reignited debates over inefficiencies in Germany’s military modernization efforts.