Indian navy MARCOS:Brief analysis

[OrionHunter]

SPB also adopted digi cam and Tavors (which are used by many non military units as well). @Abingdonboy may help to explain further.

Yep! But the pics above are of the MARCOS in digital cam! Not SPB. Period

 

[Koovie]

Yep! But the pics above are of the MARCOS in digital cam! Not SPB. Period

Because a daily mail article says that?

Something like this perhaps?

SSG(N).

No more like this

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Because a daily mail article says that?



No more like this

The only difference:
SSGN are armed with AUGs (photo)

and Marcos are armed with mp5s..

 

[Markus]

MARCOS is battle hardened but does SSGN have any combat experience ?

And I mean real combat, not anti-terrorism ops.

 

[OrionHunter]

Because a daily mail article says that?
No more like this

Your pics are more than five years old - much before the MARCOS converted to the new digital cam!

 

[Abingdonboy]

Sorry, you're off the mark!

Earlier, the marine commandos (Above pic in black) were equipped with AK- 47 rifles and MP-5 sub-machine guns. Members of ‘Marco stick’ (second picture MARCOS in new digital cam) are eight-member quick reaction teams of the commando force.

The Indian Navy's elite marine commandos, Marcos, have undergone a makeover. The new look of the marine commandos was part of a project finalised some years ago, to upgrade the combat clothing of the special forces in order to bring them on a par with international standards.

As part of the makeover, the Marcos have also absorbed new weapons, including the Tavor-21 assault rifle and Galil sniper rifle procured from Israel a couple of years ago. The new get-up, seemingly inspired by that of the US Marines, was tried for a year before it was formally approved.

The navy had initiated the procurement of the advanced integrated combat system, including equipment such as light-weight helmets, vests and weapons, to strengthen the capabilities of the commandos.

The improved individual equipment is backed by an effective command and control structure assisted by high-speed communication.

Mate you are bang on when you say the MARCOs have undergone a "make-over" (I wouldn't call it this but some do) and now sport digi-cam (Universal Camouflage Pattern) and Tavors. However that doesn't mean the MARCOs are the only unit in the IN that is similarly kitted out, the SPB (Sagar Prahari Bal) have the same uniform and same weapons (Tavors/Galils). The SPB is not a SOF unit instead it is a force-protection unit used to secure the IN's most sensitive locations and to be deployed when required in a force-protection role for the IN. As such these guys:

Are undoubtedly SPB. This pic was taken during the commisoning of one of the SHIVLAIK class frigates and these guys were acting as force-protection. Tell me why the MARCOs would be deployed with their faces uncovered and put in a position were they would certainly have their pictures taken (media were invited to the induction ceremony)? The IN takes such painful steps to ensure the identidies of their MARCO operators are not divulged and then they parade them infront of the media with their faces on full show, come one! The role these guys were playing (force-protection) is the SPB's main role!


Yes there is some confusion about who is who but I suspect come 2015 when the MARCOs start to receive their new state-of-the-art Future Combat Systems the differences will be more noticeable.

 

[Koovie]

Your pics are more than five years old - much before the MARCOS converted to the new digital cam!

They still use black uniforms. They are a SF unit. They use what they think is gonna be the best suited for each kind of mission.

 

[Abingdonboy]

The only difference:
SSGN are armed with AUGs (photo)

and Marcos are armed with mp5s..

This is an incredible over-simplification based on two pictures. There is a stark difference wrt combat experience,budgets, training and logistical support.

+ the SSG-N have accsess to weapons other then the AUG and the MARCOs have access to weapons other than the MP-5 (which is no longer their standard-issue primary weapon).

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

This is an incredible over-simplification based on two pictures. There is a stark difference wrt combat experience,budgets, training and logistical support.

+ the SSG-N have accsess to weapons other then the AUG and the MARCOs have access to weapons other than the MP-5 (which is no longer their standard-issue primary weapon).

I was talkin abt the pics kid.. and if u want to take it tht way... than il repeat the same thing.. Pak special forces are much better "geared" than their counterparts.

 

[Abingdonboy]

than il repeat the same thing.. Pak special forces are much better "geared" than their counterparts.

I'd agree that until relatively recently this was certainly the case. However since,say 2006/7 the pendulum has well and truly swung in favor of Indian SOFs. The fact was for a long time that what Indian SOFs lacked in cutting-edge kit they made up for in the best training out there but now with funds pouring in, but more importantly mindsets in the high-offices changing, the Indian SOFs are getting the best kit out there. You can just see the new found importance Indian SOFs have now, they are getting their own command, their own dedicated air assets (admittedly the MARCOs have had this for a long time), their own budgets etc etc


I think, as ususal, it is a case of simple economics and, again, India can outspend Pakistan wrt SOFs and now very well is.

 

[Koovie]

I was talkin abt the pics kid.. and if u want to take it tht way... than il repeat the same thing.. Pak special forces are much better "geared" than their counterparts.

Until 2 or 3 years ago... this had been correct but not anymore. And with the future unified SF command with its separate budget, the SFs will receive even better equipment.

 

[ashok321]

http://www.******************/forums/indian-navy/25239-indian-navy-marcos-brief-analysis.html

The guy has done lift n shift from above....

Its time you reclaim your hard earned thanks wasted on this coffee paste...Its a yellow journalism or Plagiarism. This stupid was banned very recently too.

And he should be banned again, because its high time.

Total violation of PDF.

 

[Varunastra]

Something like this perhaps?

SSG(N).



No you didnt..

MARCOS -

 

[imkhasif]

LOL... lalay... swads is a new unit with no combat experience... also the only weapons seen used by SWADs are BD-08 and M-4... No daewoo rifles or HK-416 have been seen so far... u are welcome to prove me wrong.



Thts BD police commandos.. swat team.. also are you sure SWADS not airborne?

SWADS r airborne .

I think operations wise it is the same. But MARCOS are able to parachute, have more experience and better equipped(i think).

SWADS r airborne .

 

[vk17]

ne thing i wanna ask u guys that i have seen MARCOS doing operations in last 26/11 attacks before NSG came into action.So my question is if they r so much capable than y r they waiting fr NSG TO come.

Friend, though I sud not be putting this on forum. But I think brave acts of MARCOS on 26/11 which was never mentioned in any media reports. i m going to tell you what exactly happened on 26/11 night told to me by one of my MARCOS who was in that operation. The Navy HQ is just stone throw distance from TAJ hotel. He told me he and his team were hearing gunshots and they were also monitoring TV about the attack. They were all ready for action but there is an SOP ( Standard Operating Process) for all the armed and specialised forces throughout the world. They cannot start operations anywhere without orders and also they their own AOR (Area of Responsiblilty) which was ofcourse Naval HQ, they were actually tthinking that attack on Taj was diversionary and actual target could be Naval HQ or Mumbai Police HQ which happens to be near to Point of Attack. They or any of us could have never expected that those cowards are actually killing unarmed civilian with Automatic rifles, they all were thinking that actual target would be some military or police establishment. Still after some time they were given orders they were eagerely waiting for from Delhi. A Team of 20 Marcos went in for assault without any information about number of terrorist which were speculated to be 10-15. And they fought those scums well who were forced to run for dere lyf on upper floors. One more thing I wud like to add that MARCOS are hell of a man. From running 40 kms in wet sands of sea to endurance of swimming for about 8-10 hrs. They are tough, very tough....