India Special Forces

[FalconSlayersDFI]

Very interesting. Looks like some kind of cooperation is going on between India and Central Asian countries on these matters. Not so long ago Uzbekistan also held a joint military exercise with Indian counterparts but I don't know if SOF or regular infantry. Indian SOF experience can definitely contribute to the development of its Central Asian counterparts and also help them know new terrain, environment and combat tested tips from most probably a totally different SOF culture.

Not at all, Indian SF is substandard not in terms of training but equipment for sure, Indian SF use the same equipment which is used by the Indian infantry. There’s a dire need for modernisation but MoD of India is not focussing.

 

[FalconSlayersDFI]

Indo-Uzbek joint exercises named DUSTLIK-II were not of the special forces but with regular troops. A 45-member Uzbek contingent and an equal number of Indian Army personnel from the Rezang La Regiment and the Kharga Warriors of 2 Corps took part in the exercise.

Infact, Uzbek troops were also handed over our newly acquired Sig-716s during the exercises

I hate the SiG-716i, we should have gone for SiG-716 G2.

 

[Zapper]

I hate the SiG-716i, we should have gone for SiG-716 G2.

Well both DI and Gas pistons have their advantages and disadvantages. While Short stroke gas piston guns like the 716 G2 are better when it comes to accuracy and easier maintenance, DI are better when it comes to reliability, automatic firing and lower cost. I assume cost must've played a crucial factor for IA given our tendency to go with the lowest tender

The Sig 716i retails for around $1200-1400 here in the US, the G2 goes for $2200-2600...depends on the dealer and config though. It costed IA around $1000 per rifle which I believe is a decent deal and a significant improvement over Insas

 

[Zapper]

Not at all, Indian SF is substandard not in terms of training but equipment for sure, Indian SF use the same equipment which is used by the Indian infantry. There’s a dire need for modernisation but MoD of India is not focussing

It really depends on which SOF you're talking about. For instance, NSG has the best equipment and gear compared to others given they fall under MHA instead of MoD which makes the release of funds easier. The procurement process, induction of weapons/gear of IN's Marcos and IAF's Garuds is much more streamlined and uniform compared to IA's Para SF since the former are fewer in numbers while Para SF is in excess of 10k operatives

 

[Kartal1]

Not at all, Indian SF is substandard not in terms of training but equipment for sure, Indian SF use the same equipment which is used by the Indian infantry. There’s a dire need for modernisation but MoD of India is not focussing.

Yes unfortunately I also see that Indian SOF are mostly not equipped on the highest standards but I am talking about combat experience and tactics. Uzbekistan SOF is also not on the highest level when it comes to personal equipment. Here you can see a two videos of them on their latest exercise with the Turkish Special Forces Command.

Uzbekistani SOF units are in a process where they are looking for development after they understood that they need to make the step away from the "Sovyet" tactics after the new government came. Turkish Special Forces were tasked at that exercise to both show modern equipment but also identify deficiencies in their weapons usage techniques and tactics. Now Uzbekistan is in a search and looks like the searching led them to Indian SOF and I am sure there is a reason behind that.

 

[FalconSlayersDFI]

Yes unfortunately I also see that Indian SOF are mostly not equipped on the highest standards but I am talking about combat experience and tactics. Uzbekistan SOF is also not on the highest level when it comes to personal equipment. Here you can see a two videos of them on their latest exercise with the Turkish Special Forces Command.

Uzbekistani SOF units are in a process where they are looking for development after they understood that they need to make the step away from the "Sovyet" tactics after the new government came. Turkish Special Forces were tasked at that exercise to both show modern equipment but also identify deficiencies in their weapons usage techniques and tactics. Now Uzbekistan is in a search and looks like the searching led them to Indian SOF and I am sure there is a reason behind that.

Indian Army SF was supposed to get new equipment but it got fcked up.

 

[Zapper]

Indian Army SF was supposed to get new equipment but it got fcked up.
View attachment 18485

Though speculative, I believe this was supposed to be for AFSOD and not Para SF given the procurement numbers seem to be in line with AFSOD's max intended strength of 1000-1500 operatives

Some reports did suggest this is an IA tender but Para SF already uses Tavors, M4s and AKs for which I believe its not assault rifles that are needed but other gear like uniformity in the camo, ballistic high cut helmet, comms, BPJs, helmet and gun mounted sights etc

 

[Zapper]

Yes unfortunately I also see that Indian SOF are mostly not equipped on the highest standards but I am talking about combat experience and tactics. Uzbekistan SOF is also not on the highest level when it comes to personal equipment. Here you can see a two videos of them on their latest exercise with the Turkish Special Forces Command.

Uzbekistani SOF units are in a process where they are looking for development after they understood that they need to make the step away from the "Sovyet" tactics after the new government came. Turkish Special Forces were tasked at that exercise to both show modern equipment but also identify deficiencies in their weapons usage techniques and tactics. Now Uzbekistan is in a search and looks like the searching led them to Indian SOF and I am sure there is a reason behind that.

I really like Turkish SOF gear, particularly the naval unit...looks like some units are already on-par with their western counterparts

Is there any thread outlining the different Turkish SOF units and the gear/equipment they use?

 

[Kartal1]

Indian Army SF was supposed to get new equipment but it got fcked up.
View attachment 18485

I am sure they will receive what is needed sooner or later. For sure it will be better sooner because as we know India faces many threats both conventional and unconventional and we see that in both type of combat potent and well equipped SOF are force multiplier.

I really like Turkish SOF gear, particularly the naval unit...looks like some units are already on-par with their western counterparts

View attachment 18488

Is there any thread outlining the different Turkish SOF units and the gear/equipment they use?

Well after 2014 because of the security situation the Turkish SOF and Commando units started to receive more up to date equipment and also training. For the Commando brigades serious changes started to come after the 15th July failed coup attempt by FETO. Slowly they started to adopt new gear and as you say come on par with their western counterparts. Every unit started to adopt also its gear culture and preferences. While SAT leaned more towards foreign made equipment the Special Forces Command OKK started to utilize more national made equipment. Now both the units are pretty good equipped. I will not make a large list with equipment used but I can say that both are using almost the same essentials in terms of optical devises, NVGs, helmets, ear protection devises, communication devices, signaling devices, parachutes (static and wing type) and diving equipped. The difference mainly comes in their uniforms, vests and weapons arsenal (OKK's weapons arsenal is way wider and better). While SAT prefers TRUSPEC, CryPrecision and 5.11 OKK prefers national made uniforms and vests. They recently received their new uniforms in their special camo pattern and also laser cut MOLLE vests.

As for the question: No there is not a thread here. There was one in PDF but you gave me a good idea. I will create a thread about Turkish SOF and law enforcement tactical response teams.

 

[Zapper]

NSG Marksman
Barrett M98B

 

[Zapper]

IAF Garuds

with HAL LCH (Light Combat Helo) - Comparable to Turkish T-129 and Chinese Z-10

 

[Zapper]

MARCOS with AK-103 (and GP-25 under-barrel grenade launchers and Israeli ITL MARS reflex sights)

 

[Zapper]

Some all black SOF units

NSG - India' elite CT unit

with their Belgian Malinois

State police SWAT units modeled after NSG

OCTOPUS Commandos of Telangana State Police

Jharkhand State Police SOG

Punjab State police SWAT

 

[Zapper]

Garuda Commandos of Karnataka State Police

Mumbai Police QRT

 

[Zapper]

IAF Garuds

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1385126411053064199

 

[Zapper]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1385126411053064199

I don't think these are Para SF...since 6 Para is regular Paratroopers if I'm not wrong. If you see the actual footage of this screengrab, you can see a ton of different assault rifles and calibers varying from Sig-716, Tavors, AKs, UZIs to sniper rifles. It's more like you can't borrow a mag if you run outta ammo. It's quite evident some local colonel put this together for photo ops and asked em to get equipped with every type in their inventory

Para SF is primarily known to use M4s, AKMs and Tavors as their assault rifles. Sigs were only provided to regular units

Also, one reason Para SF's equipment and gear being botched and patchy is they'd have to share budget with regular Para units while Marcos, Garuds, NSG, , SPG, CRPF QAT etc have dedicated budgets

 

[Nilgiri]

I don't think these are Para SF...since 6 Para is regular Paratroopers if I'm not wrong.

Yup you are correct, part of para regiment, but not Para SF.

Para SF should be sequestered and handled differently (just like the rest SOFs) as you mention later.

 

[Zapper]

IAF Garuds

 

[Nilgiri]