Model EPC-B: Are the Bundeswehr's new parachutes unsuitable?

The Bundeswehr's quality managers send out a report stating that a new parachute system costing 56 million euros is unsuitable – and then take the paper back the next day.

It has one purpose: to save lives. For Bundeswehr paratroopers, the parachute isn't a piece of sports equipment, and jumping isn't a thrill. In cases of doubt, the functionality of their parachute determines the success of a mission and personal safety. Since the 1960s, German paratroopers have relied on the T10 model – a robust but hard parachute, too small for modern equipment, too fast in descent, and too dangerous for today's requirements. Something new was needed.