India Special Forces

[Zapper]

4 Para SF
Indian Army
View attachment 21931

Looks like the only unit which received high cut helmets in the whole of Para SF apart from Para-9

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1406568606024933378

 

[crixus]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1406568606024933378

They still carrying Insas

 

[Nilgiri]

They still carrying Insas

I guess its latest iteration of it, before its replaced for good whenever that is.

 

[Zapper]

They still carrying Insas

It's a slightly better version of Insas which includes foregrip and folding butt stock. Also, the personnel featured in the pictures are not necessarily SF since any unit can participate in trials for the Cambrian patrol while it is the Commando wing who makes the selection

For instance, IA's Gorkha rifles won gold in 2010, 2011, 2016 & silver in 2015 while Gharwal rifles won a gold in 2014

 

[Zapper]

10 Para with Force motors LSV

 

[Zapper]

NSG training with Green Berets - 2015
Rifle: M4 SOPMOD

 

[FalconSlayersDFI]

NSG training with Green Berets - 2015
Rifle: M4 SOPMOD

View attachment 25244

It’s a MK18 CQBR not M4 SOPMOD.

 

[FalconSlayersDFI]

Indian Navy MARCOS (Sorry for pic quality, I have cropped it from original).

 

[Zapper]

Indian Navy MARCOS (Sorry for pic quality, I have cropped it from original).
View attachment 25435

Never seen MARCOS wearing black...is it normal?

 

[FalconSlayersDFI]

Never seen MARCOS wearing black...is it normal?

Andaman and Nicobar unit does

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1425139914094436355

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1425455275411009541

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1427199097711206400

 

[Zapper]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1427199097711206400

This culture of Garuds being instagram poster boys is becoming a norm and IAF should take steps to curb it. Probably they should focus more on training than posing with their weapons & gear

During Pathankot attack, they had one job and one job alone which is to protect the airbase from infiltrators and other aerial assets but NSG had to be roped in to take down the terrorists. Marcos are relatively better but they definitely need to get some urban warfare exposure... despite Mumbai having a decent number of Marcos operators in the city during 26/11, their CO said this wasn't their op since it was in an urban environment and ended up waiting for NSG

While a lot changed ever since in terms of organizational structure, weapons & gear, training etc...it still feels like NSG & Para SF will have to take up every op with Garuds & Marcos acting as a support group

 

[Zapper]

 

[Zapper]

Para SF units in Sri Lanka during an exercise

Second best in terms of training and the most experienced among Indian SFs but at the bottom of the list when it comes to equipment/gear & standardization

 

[Zapper]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1436219798409547784

IN's Marcos

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1437364684781326339

Marcos are folks on the ends left n right

@Kartal1 @Raptor @kumata @crixus

 

[Kartal1]

Para SF units in Sri Lanka during an exercise

Second best in terms of training and the most experienced among Indian SFs but at the bottom of the list when it comes to equipment/gear & standardization

View attachment 30255

Is there a particular reason for so many different weapon platforms and calibers within the unit or it is because of mismanagement of weapons acquisitions?

 

[Zapper]

Is there a particular reason for so many different weapon platforms and calibers within the unit or it is because of mismanagement of weapons acquisitions?

Unlike our other three major SOF units (Marcos, Garuds and NSG), IA's Para SF is not a dedicated SOF unit from an organizational standpoint but more like a super infantry. If you see the below para regiments, some of them were converted to SF units designated to certain terrains. Para SF had to share funds and resources with other Para regiments making their weapons/gear acquisitions cumbersome. Not to mention, they're being employed in regular CI/CT ops as well in Kashmir to gain operational expertise where Rashtriya Rifles could alone handle them...this is essentially dumbing down the SF units

The biggest issue which IA will realize at some point is Para SF learned to tackle CI/CT ops with an ammo truck close by allowing em to use any type of weapon which isn't effective in the long run since you'd have no ammo truck during an active war

• 1 PARA (SF) - for urban warfare and CI/CT
• 2 PARA (SF) - for mountain warfare and CI/CT
• 3 PARA (SF) - for desert warfare and CI/CT
• 4 PARA (SF) - for mountain warfare and CI/CT
• 5th Battalion - regular parachute regiment
• 6th Battalion - regular parachute regiment
• 7th Battalion - regular parachute regiment
• 9 PARA (SF) - for mountain warfare and CI/CT
• 10 PARA (SF) - for desert warfare and CI/CT
• 11 PARA (SF) - for jungle warfare and CI/CT
• 12 PARA (SF) - for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT
• 21 PARA (SF) - for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT
• 23rd Battalion - regular parachute regiment
• 29th Battalion - regular parachute regiment
• 31st Battalion - Rashtriya Rifles COIN Ops
• 106th Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army)
• 116th Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army)