Special Elite Forces Of Indian Defence Forces: Indian Army, Indian Navy And Indian Airforce. That Will Make You Proud
1 - Para Commandos
"Balidaan" Badge of the Para SF
Para Commandos is a special
forces unit of the Indian Army's
Parachute Regiment and is tasked with
missions such as special operations, direct action,
hostage
rescue, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, counter-proliferation, counter-insurgency, seek and
destroy and personnel recovery. The unit's heritage stems
from World War II, with the creation 50th Parachute Brigade in
October 1941.
Selection
All Indian
paratroopers are volunteers. Some enter the Para regiments fresh from
recruitment, while others transfer in from regular army units. They are put
through a probationary period / selection process of three months for
Paratroopers (Airborne) Battalions (5,6,7,11,12 PARA) and seven months for Para
(Special Forces) battalions (1,2,3,4,9,10,21 PARA), in order to be a Para
(Special Forces) all personnel are first required to qualify as Paratroopers;
once selected the candidates may choose to advance to the SF selection, which
takes place twice a year in the spring and the autumn term. It is one of the
longest and toughest phases in world where the applicant is exposed to sleep
deprivation, humiliation, exhaustion, mental and physical torture. The
selection has reported deaths in the process itself. The attrition rate is very
high and is in between 90-95 percent.
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Training
The initial
training to be a special forces operator is 3.5 years, the longest anywhere but
the training is also a continuous process, in the special forces, the members
are imparted both basic and advance training. They are taught specialised mode
of infiltration and exfiltration, either by air (combat freefall) or sea
(combat diving). Some trainees return to PTS to undergo the free-fall course,
which requires at least 50 jumps from altitudes up to 33,500 feet to pass. Both
HALO
(High Altitude Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude High Opening) techniques are learned. The
ability to use the HAHO
method and specially designed maneuverable parachutes called HAPPS (High Altitude Parachute Penetration System)/AMX-310 to conduct
stealth insertions over distances up to 50 km is also perfected.
For combat diving training, the commandos are
sent to the Naval Diving School, Kochi. Like other special forces, these para
commandos are trained for land, air and water.
Daily routine begins with a 20 km morning
run. Infiltration, exfiltration, assault, room and building
intervention, intelligence gathering, patrolling, ambush tactics, counter-ambush
tactis, counter insurgency, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, guerilla
warfare, asymmetric warfare, raids & sabotage, martial arts training,
tactical shooting, stress firing, reflex shooting, buddy system drills, close
quarter battle, tactical driving, advance weapon courses & handling,
sniping, demolition training, survival skills, linguistic training, logistic
training, trade-craft training is imparted by the intelligence agencies. The
training drills involve live ammunition at all times which has also become a
reason for fatal accidents at times leading to death.
Night and weapons training and field craft
involving 20 km treks with 60 kg (132 lb) loads and live
ammunition are conducted. Weekly forced marches with 65 kg combat loads
with distances over 50 to 80 miles and quarterly night drops with full combat
loads are also conducted. In addition to this in-house training, the commandos
also attend a number of schools run by the Army that specialize in terrain and
environment warfare.
These include the Junior Leaders' Commando
Training Camp in Belgaum,
Karnataka,
the Parvat Ghatak School (for high altitude mountain warfare) in Tawang Arunachal
Pradesh, Desert warfare school in Rajasthan,
the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in
Sonamarg, Kashmir
and the Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare
School (CIJWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram, Indian special forces training school
in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh. These schools are among the finest of their kind
anywhere and routinely host students from other countries.
Members of USSOCOM
(United States Special Operations Command) and UKSF (United Kingdom
Special Forces) personnel have approached the Special Forces for tactical
training and grants them access to the military training schools as a sign of
further military cooperation between the countries. In addition they also have
exchange programmes with the sf units of the different countries.
U.S. Army Special Forces have also
conducted joint HAHO
training with the Para (SF) in 1992, underwater training in 1995 and
anti-terrorism training in 1997. It is thought that the French Foreign Legion also has approached
CIJWS regarding the courses taught by them. Para (SF) can also
undergo a complete Combat Divers course, in which they earn a combat diver
badge.
They are also experienced in conducting SHBO
(special heli-borne operations) and typically employ Cheetahs, MI-8/MI-17 or
HAL (Dhruv) helicopters for this purpose.
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Joint exercises with other nations
The Para (SF) conduct a series of joint
exercises, named VJRA PRAHAR, with the United States Army every year, in which
about 100 personal from the US and Indian special forces participate. INDRA
series of Israel,
Ajeya Warrior series of exercise with regular infantry units of UK(as
UK's special forces are highly classified), Indian special forces conduct
exercises with forces of the following 16 friendly countries: the United
States, France, the UK, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan,
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Seychelles, Singapore, Indonesia and
Thailand.International competitions
Personnel from the Para (SF) have participated in
international competitions, including Cambrian Patrol. This
Equipment
Para (SF) have access to various types of infantry weapons required for particular missions.
Insignia
Para (SF)
personnel, like other parachute troops in the Indian military, wear a maroon
beret. In addition, they wear a 'Special Forces' tab on each shoulder.
Personnel who serve in the Para (SF) are allowed to wear the 'Balidaan'
(Sacrifice) badge after having served a period of one year in a hostile zone.
They are the only units in the Indian Army
allowed to have tattoos on their body. MARCOS
personnel deputed to Para (SF) units may grow beards, as this is allowed in the
Indian Navy. However shaved heads are still not allowed in any branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
2 - Marine Commandos (MARCOS)
MARCOS are one
of the most finest special force present in the world.
MARCOS,
previously named as Marine Commando Force (MCF), is the special operations unit of the Indian Navy.
created for conducting special operations such as Amphibious warfare, Counter-terrorism,
Direct action,
Special reconnaissance, Unconventional warfare, hostage rescue,
Personnel recovery, Asymmetric warfare, Counterproliferation. The MCF is specially
organised, trained and equipped for the conduct of special operations in a
maritime environment.
MARCOS is short for Marine Commandos. The force has gradually
acquired experience and a reputation for professionalism over the two decades
it has been in existence. The MARCOS are capable of undertaking operations in
all types of terrain, but are specialised in maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir
through the Jhelum
River and Wular Lake,
a 65 square kilometer freshwater lake. Some MARCOS personnel are also attached
with the Army special forces units conducting counter-terrorism operations in
the area. MARCOS are widely feared among the terrorists, who call them
"Dadiwala fauj", meaning the "Bearded army" because of
their bearded disguise in civil areas. MARCOS have also been known to carry out
wide variety of operations in foreign soil.
MARCOS are known to be very
secretive, not revealing their actual identity as specialised, elite soldiers.
In their operations, they are sometimes assisted by Westland
WS-61 Sea King transport helicopters, Chetak helicopters and two-man submarines.
MARCOS can be launched from ships, aircraft and submarines in full battle gear.
Functions / Role
The
exclusivity of the unit lies in its competence to operate in all three mediums
namely Sea, Air and Land. The MCF is specially organised, trained and equipped
for the conduct of special operations in a maritime environment. Personnel from
unit are deployed round the clock from Kashmir for CI/CT ops to GoA, Somalia for
anti-piracy operations. The unit has always been at forefront in providing
diving / civil assistance during times of natural disaster. The core tasking of
MARCOS include:-
- Conduct clandestine attack against enemy ships,offshore installations and other vital assets behind enemy lines.
- To support amphibious operations including pre-assault ops.
- To conduct unconventional warfare.
- Conduct of surveillance and recce missions in support of military operations.
- Conduct of clandestine diving operations.
- To conduct hostage rescue operations in maritime environment.
- Combating terrorism in a maritime environment.
Selection and Training
All MARCOS personnel are males selected from the
Indian Navy. They are selected when they are in their early 20s and have to go
through a stringent selection process and training. The selection standards are
extremely high. The training is a continuous process. American and British
special forces assisted in the initial training, which now consists of a
two-year course for new recruits. The training regiment includes: airborne
operations, combat diving courses, counter-terrorism,
anti-hijacking, anti-piracy
operations, direct action, infiltration and exfiltration tactics, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare training etc.
Majority of the training is conducted at INS Abhimanyu which is
also the home base of MARCOS.
All MARCOS personnel are freefall qualified (HALO/HAHO).
A few also qualify to operated the Cosmos CE-2F/X100 two-man subs. MARCOS train
along with the Special Forces officers of the Indian Army
like the Para Commandos at the Indian special forces training school,
Nahan and Army's other schools for Unconventional warfare These include the
Junior Leaders' Commando Training Camp in Belgaum, Karnataka, the Parvat Ghatak
School (for high altitude mountain warfare) in Tawang Arunachal Pradesh, Desert
warfare school in Rajasthan, the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in
Sonamarg, Kashmir and the Counter-insurgency and Jungle Warfare
School (CIJWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram. These elite schools routinely
host students from other countries. MARCOS are then trained at various training
agencies within the navy. They are skilled combat divers and parachutists and
most of the training deals with counter-terrorist, anti-hijacking and anti-piracy
operations.
Generally, the pre-training selection process is
made of two parts. Any Indian Navy personnel who wants to join this outfit must
first undergo a three-day long, physical fitness test and aptitude test. Within
this process, 80% of the application are screened out. Further screening
process is known as 'hell's week'. This is actually a five-week-long process
which involves high degree of physical exercises and sleep deprivation. It is
only after this process that actual training begins Their training makes MARCOS
tough nuts to crack. An Indian MARCO on an exchange program in the US topped
the US Navy SEAL course with ease.
The total duration of training of MARCOS is
between two and half to three years. The basic training lasts six
months. The first two months is the weeding out phase. The first phase of which
lasts one month, in which they undergo many rigorous physical tests of which
only 50% pass. Then for the next nine months, they are taught how to use
different types of weapons, conduct special warfare techniques and how to
gather intelligence from the enemy. The cadets start with basic
diving and commando tactics and skills. Those that go on are trained in every
aspect of modern warfare and in every situation. This includes firing while
lying down, standing, running full-sprint, even backwards and looking into a
mirror – with a reaction time of 0.27 seconds. This is followed by a year
of training of specialised skills. They are trained in various types of close
combat including Krav Maga. Different forms of
warfare training is imparted through field operations in counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist
operations within the country and are trained to operate in any kind of
environment like beaches, deep sea, on the surface of the ocean, in jungles,
ravines
and for situations like hostage rescue, urban combat and piracy. A notably
rigorous training program is the "death crawl" – an 800-metre
struggle through thigh-high mud, loaded with 25 kg of gear and after a
2.5 km obstacle course that most soldiers would fail. After that, when the
trainee is exhausted and sleep-deprived, he has to undergo the final
test – shooting a target 25 metres away, with a partner standing next to
it.
The MARCOS are trained in every kind of weapon
and instruments, from knives and crossbows to sniper rifles,
handguns,
assault
rifles, submachine guns and bare hands. Being divers,
they can reach hostile shores swimming underwater.
The further training includes:
- Open and closed circuit diving
- Basic commando skills including advanced weapon skills, demolitions, endurance training and martial arts
- Para training
- Intelligence training
- Operation of submersible craft
- Offshore operations
- Anti-terrorism operations
- Operations from submarines
- Skydiving
- Various special skills such as language training, insertion methods, etc.
- Explosive ordnance disposal techniques
They are also trained to parachute into open
water with full combat load. In 2013, the MARCOS have introduced a larger
duck-drop system which will be fitted on Ilyushin
Il-76 aircraft. Each system (two boats) can accommodate 32
commandos, their weapons and fuel for the boats. Duck-drop system that marcos
operate in the past is smaller in size which is fitted on An-32 aircraft. This
force-multiplier was developed by the Agra-based Aerial Delivery Research &
Development Establishment. Once para-dropped from the aircraft, it allows for
the commandos to assemble inflatable motorised boats within ten minutes, and
quickly reach ships in distress. On reaching the target, they can dismantle the
boats and travel underwater to mount a surprise attack. Such rescue missions
can be mounted by the commandos deployed within an hour unlike in the past,
when commandos took up to 48 hours to reach the targets as it involved
travelling on-board ships and then being deployed on motorised boats.
The Marcos are also preparing for urban warfare
and have begun practicing on 3D virtual models of offshore installations to
ensure a swift response during a terrorist attack. The marine commandos are
undergoing regular training sessions in this computer-generated programme to be
well-prepared for a strike similar to the 26/11 attack. Reliance Industries Limited
(RIL) has provided a virtual model of its facility in Krishna-Godavari basin in
the east, for the marine commandos at INS Kalinga,
the training base for Marcos in Visakhapatnam.Click on given link nd watch video : PGT Rules briefing and about tasks Structurs // SSB Interview GTO Tasks
MARCOS will carry out amphibious operations at
Frasersgunj in the Sunderbans as part of their routine training. Frasersgunj,
with its beach and proximity to the estuarine delta, is an ideal location for
such exercises, the source added. The Coast Guard is in the process of setting
up a base at Frasersgunj and station hovercraft there. More importantly, the
elite force will get a feel of the Sunderbans, which is considered at risk from
infiltrators and terrorists. There are so many waterways running through the
Sunderbans delta that it is not possible to maintain physical vigil on all
movement there. Security experts believe that the threat from terrorists moving
in from the sea still remains. With so many vessels passing through the
Sunderbans, it may be a route for terror outfits to send in armed men to carry
out an attack like that on Mumbai. In case of any eventuality, the Macros are
most likely to be called in as it is a marine environment. A major part of
their training is kept under wraps. Frasersgunj will be an ideal location where
secrecy can be maintained.
The Indian Navy initiated the process of procuring
five midget submarines for Marine Commandos (MARCOS). These vessels
would have the capacity of carrying four to six personnel on board. The
submarines would have a diving depth of around 400 meters, and will strengthen
the MARCOS ability to carry out special underwater operations in high seas. The
midgets will have the capability of carrying out both manned and unmanned
operations and will be equipped with a number of weapons including torpedoes.
In 2009, the navy initiated the process of procuring these vessels and issued a
Request for Proposal to Indian shipyards including Hindustan Shipyards Limited,
ABG and Pipavav shipyards. Due to their faster speed and smaller size, midgets
are able to escape the enemy Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) probes making
them useful in carrying out covert operations,and help troops to penetrate into
hostile territory without getting noticed by enemies. In 2013 other noteworthy
development, Vizag-based Hindustan Shipyards Ltd won the contract for building
four 500-tonne mini-submarines, which were designed back in the previous decade
by Larsen & Toubro. The mini-submarines, to be delivered in the latter half
of this decade, will be used exclusively by the Indian Navy’s MARCOS. The
combat management systems have been designed and built by TATA Power SED, while
Riva Calzoni will be supplying the periscopes and other masts that will host a
SATCOM communications systems and LPI navigation radar. The sonar suite is
likely to be supplied by ATLAS Elektronik.
The average MARCOS training drop-out rate is more
than 90%. The force has its own training facility, first as an adjunct of the
operational company at INS Abhimanyu, in Bombay, later as the Naval
Special Warfare Tactical Training Centre. For combat diving training, the
commandos are sent to the Naval Diving School, Kochi. There are plans to move
the Naval Special Warfare Tactical Training Centre to the erstwhile Naval
Academy facility in Goa where it will be set up with focus on jungle warfare as
well as counter insurgency operations. The new facility will be modelled on the
lines of CIJWS of the Indian Army in Mizoram.
Future
Developments
To strengthen its capabilities to carry out
special operations, the Navy is planning to procure advanced Integrated Combat
System (ICS) for the MARCOS. The Navy wants the ICS for effective command,
control and information sharing to maximise capabilities of individuals and
groups of the MARCOS while engaging enemies.
The ICS will provide enhanced capabilities such
as tactical awareness, ability to fight in hostile environment and can enable
Group Commanders to remotely monitor and control operations. It would help in
integrating an individual sailor's capability of day and night surveillance,
ballistic protection, communication and firepower through an integrated network
at individual and group level. Initiating the procurement process through a
Request for Information (RFI), Navy's Directorate of Special Operations and
Diving has sought details from global vendors about the ICS, which should have
gear for both individual and group uses.
The individual equipment required by the Navy in
the ICS includes light weight helmets, head-mounted displays, tactical and soft
ballistic
vests along with communication equipment. The group-level gear
requirements include command and control and surveillance systems along with
high speed communication equipment. The devices would have sight for the
sniper, laser range finder and long range thermal imager (medium and long
range) and near IR laser pointer for a combat group to undertake surveillance,
reconnaissance and targeting. The ICS would be compatible with the assault
rifles and close-quarter combat weapons. The Navy has recently started
inducting the Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21 for the MARCOS.
Bases
The MCF currently operates out of the naval bases
at Mumbai,
Visakhapatnam,
Goa, Kochi
and Port Blair.
There are plans to shift the current training facility at the Naval Special
Warfare Training and Tactical Centre to a new facility to be set up at the
erstwhile Naval Academy in Goa.
3 - Garud Commando Force
Garud is tasked with the protection of critical
Air Force bases and installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities
and disaster relief during calamities. Presently, Garud's are deployed in Congo as part of the UN peace keeping operations.
Organization
Garud Personnel are enlisted as Airmen within the
Indian Air Force rank structure. The entire force is currently under the
command of a Wing Commander rank officer. The Garud force is organized into
fifteen "Flights", with a total present strength of
approximately 1500 airmen.
A flight is roughly the equivalent of a "Company"
in an Infantry Battalion, and is commanded by an officer of the rank of Flight
Lieutenant.The flights are based at various Air Force Stations, where they
train and provide security
Training
Airmen
Selection Process
Unlike its
counterparts in the Army and Navy, candidates for Garud Commandos are not selected
from volunteers of other branches. Recruitment to the Garuds is done directly
through airmen selection centers via advertisements.
Candidates found eligible for the force are put
through a process of rigorous physical training. Candidates have only one
chance to become a Garud trainee. Once a recruit completes training and meets
required standards, he is absorbed into the Commando force and is retained in
this stream throughout his career.
Wherever he is posted in the IAF, he will be part
of a Garud Unit. This approach ensures that the Commando Force retains its
highly trained men all through their career with the IAF.
The first batch of Officers for the Garuds were
volunteers from the Cadets of the Ground Duty Officers course being trained at
the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Andhra
Pradesh. These officers on successful completion have been absorbed
into Garud Force and will be permanently assigned to the force till the point
they reach senior ranks and go for higher postings.
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Training
The initial phase is a three month probationary
training which filters in the promising candidates for the next phases of
training. This phase, which usually has a high attrition (Drop-out) rate is
conducted at the Garud Regimental Training Centre located at Hindon,
Ghaziabad which is near to New Delhi.
The subsequent phase of special operations
training is imparted by the Special Group of the Special Frontier Force, the
army, NSG and the paramilitary forces. Those who qualify, proceed to the
Parachute Training School (PTS) at Agra to complete the basic airborne phase.
Trainees are trained along with paratroopers of the Indian Army.
The remainder of the phases concentrates on niche
fields like jungle and snow survival, demolition, etc. Garuds also train at the
diving school of the Indian Navy and the Army's Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare
School (CIJWS).
The final phase of training is active operations on being attached to Special
Force Units of the Indian Army, which helps the Garuds in gaining
operational experience.
After induction, the commandos also undergo
advanced training, including anti-hijack and counter insurgency training,
jungle and snow survival techniques, specialized weapon handling and advanced
driving skills.
Uniforms & Insignia
Garud airman wear the "Airman Beret
Badge" on the cap. They are also parachute trained, and wear the
Operational Paratroopers Brevet above the right pocket. The "Garud Force
Patch" can be seen worn on the sleeve. The Garud Commando Badge, which was
worn on the right pocket and resembles the NSG badge, is no longer in use. Instead
they now have a Garud Winged Badge which is gold in colour and worn on the left
chest, similar to where pilot/aircrew wings are worn.
The Garuds used to wear a black beret, instead of
the traditional maroon beret of the other Indian Special
Forces units, but now wear the maroon beret. They sport the operational paratroopers brevet on the right chest. The formation ensignia is worn on the left shoulder. The Garuds are also entitled to wear "IAF GARUD" titles on the sleeves.
Forces units, but now wear the maroon beret. They sport the operational paratroopers brevet on the right chest. The formation ensignia is worn on the left shoulder. The Garuds are also entitled to wear "IAF GARUD" titles on the sleeves.
4 - Ghatak Force
Ghatak Platoon, or Ghatak
Commandos, is a special operations capable infantry
platoon.
There is one platoon in every infantry battalion in the Indian Army.
Ghatak is a Hindi
word meaning "killer" or "lethal". They act as shock troops
and spearhead assaults ahead of the battalionRole
Their
operational role is similar to Scout Sniper Platoon, STA platoon
of the USMC
and the Patrols platoon of the British Army.
They can be tasked by the battalion or brigade commander to carry out tasks such as special reconnaissance, raids on enemy
artillery positions, airfields, supply dumps and tactical headquarters. They
are also capable of directing artillery and air attacks on targets deep within
enemy lines
Unit
composition
A Ghatak Platoon is usually 20-men strong,
consisting of a commanding Captain,
2 non-commissioned officers and some special
teams like marksman
and spotter
pairs, light machine gunners, medic and radio
operator. The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers.
Training
The most physically fit and motivated soldiers in
an infantry battalion are selected to be a part of the Ghatak Platoon. Most
undergo training at the Commando Training Course in Belgavi, Karnataka.
Often, other specialized training like heliborne assault, rock climbing, mountain
warfare, demolitions, advanced weapons training, and infantry tactics
are also given. Members of the platoon are also sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare
School. However, most of them are not parachute
qualified. It is mandatory for all infantry officers to pass the Commando
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Jai Hind!
do all forces' commandos (marcos, garud, para etc)wear maroon beret?
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