India Strengthens Special Forces for Covert Operations

Quick Summary

• India is upgrading its Special Forces’ covert warfare capabilities, integrating midget submarines, loiter munitions, nano drones, advanced weaponry, surveillance tools, adn interaction systems.
• The Army comprises 10 Para-Special Forces battalions and five para (Airborne) battalions; the IAF has around 1,600 Garud commandos across 27 ‘flights,’ while Navy’s Marcos includes over 1,400 personnel.
• Specialized equipment such as assault rifles (e.g., Israeli TAR-21 and American M4A1), lightweight rocket launchers (Swedish Carl Gustaf), and sniper rifles enhance operational precision. Advanced parachute systems enable stealth missions behind enemy lines for extended periods.
• The induction of software-defined radios and satellite communication ensures seamless coordination among Armed Forces special Operations Division elements for joint missions. AI-based mission planners will soon be integrated into training simulators to increase realism.
• Marcos possess unique maritime assets like underwater scooters, sea chariots, disposable mine-clearance vehicles alongside air-droppable boats helping expand their oceangoing roles during naval boarding detachment scenarios too inside hostile seaways tactically resolving vessels”.