MARCOS (Indian Naval SF)

MARCOS

New Uniform

         MARCOS is short name for 'Marine Commandos'.It is an elite special operations unit of Indian navy . Created in 1987, It was previously known as MCF or 'Marine Commando Force'.MARCOS are heavily trained and well equipped. created for conducting special operations such as Amphibious warfare, Counter-terrorism, Direct action, Special reconnaissance,Unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, Personnel recovery, Asymmetric warfare, Counter-proliferation. They are capable of undertaking missions in all types of terrains.As their structure&size are classified some 'unofficial' reports suggest that it may have strength of 2000-2500 personal.

  "The Few, The Fearless", MARCOS are extremely secretive (so secretive that it's very difficult to find a lot of info. about them) and highly feared by all kinds of oppositions it has seen.

       After India-Pakistan war of 1971 India decided to set up a special unit to undertake amphibious warfare & Marine special operations.In 1983 the 340th army independent brigade located at Thiruvanadapuram was raised as a special maritime force.After the formation navy started various exercises to demonstrate its capabilities,notably exercises in Andaman Nicobar,1984 and Goa,1986.In 1986 Indian navy started planning of a special maritime force which could conduct recon,raids and counter-terrorism operations in a maritime environment.They initially trained by other special forces of the country.But later they got training from US navy SEALs and British SAS.In 1987 Indian navy officially established Indian Marine Special Force or IMSF.It had a strength of 38 officers and 373 sailers. Later in 1991 it renamed to Marine Commando Force or the MCF.

Training Exercise

     

       MARCOS trainees have to complete a two-year course, 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. MARCOS also conducts operational reconnaissance training which includes a variety of external environments; beach, coastal, riverine and jungle. This part of training is conducted in sync with other Indian special forces at the Combined Commando School at Sirsawa. They also have to undergo a parachute training course and a diving course at Agra and Cochin. 

Commandos on raft

     Once trainees have completed their first nine months of these rigorous tests, they join groups - on a probational basis - where additional specialized training is carried out. This combat ready qualification takes another year. Most of the training deals with counter-terrorist operations, such as protecting oil platforms off Mumbai and also with anti-hijacking/piracy operations. All MARCOS personnel are static line parachute qualified and a number are freefall qualified (HALO/HAHO). MARCOS is one of only a handful of units in the world that is capable of para-dropping into the sea with full combat load and equipment. By the end of two years, only 10% - 25% of the candidates remain. As with other Indian Special Forces units, all MCF personnel attend the four week high-altitude commando course run by the Parvat Ghatak School in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Cosmos CE-2F X100 two-man submarines

EQUIVPMENTS

Small Arms:
-Browning Hi-Power 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
-Glock 17 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
-SIG P226 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
-Uzi 9mm Sub-machine gun

Primary Arms:
-HK MP5 9mm Sub-machine gun
-AK-103 7.62×39mm Assault Rifle
-M4A1 5.56 Assualt Rifle, used by MARCOS units attached to Para Commando units
-TAR-21 Tavor 5.56 mm NATO Assault rifle
-APS amphibious rifle Underwater assault rifle
-Dragunov SVD Semi-automatic sniper rifle
-Heckler & Koch MSG90 Semi-automatic sniper rifle
-OSV-96, Sniper and anti-material rifle

Support Weapons:
-IMI Negev
-IMI Negev Light machine gun
-PK General purpose machine gun
-FN MAG 7.62 mm General purpose machine gun
-GP-25 40mm Grenade Launcher
-M203 40mm Grenade launcher
-AGS-17 Automatic grenade launchers
-RCL Mk III 84mm Recoilless rifle
-Shipon Anti-tank weapon
-9K38 Igla MANPADS

Transport:

-HAL Dhruv utility helicopter

-6 Westland WS-61 Sea King transport helicopter
-Few Chetak helicopters
-Cosmos CE-2F X100 two-man submarines
-All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)