Abingdonboy
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Some of my reaction @COLDHEARTED AVIATOR Good to hear from you anyways bro! Longtime, no hear!
Agreed, the change in the last 4/5 years is just unreal. I would never have expected such a turnaround in such a short period, especially in a nation like India. I'd also like to add that there seems to have been a mindset change as well amongst the Military and political leadership. All the recent noise coming out of the Military is showing a greater appreciation of SOFs and their utility. When compared to Kargil some 14 years ago when SOFs were used as "super infantry". There seems to be a relasition of what SOFs can actually be used as a strategic asset. I like how the SOF seem to be getting their own space and resources now.
The future is very positive for Indian SOFs, I can't wait to see what happens in the next 5 years wrt the SOFs!
Agreed, PARA (SF) and PARA (AIRBORNE) need to be disassociated and the PARA (SF) be molded into a completely separate SF entity. There will always be strong ties between the PARA (AIRBORNE) and PARA (SF) as there is in every modern military between the airborne units and army SF as the latter receives most of their recruits from the former. PARA (AIRBORNE) should be kept as it is but dramatically expanded as the SF element of the PARA regmt outnumbering the PARA(AIRBORNE) btns is a joke.
However I don't feel there is any need for a seperate and dedicated unit for conducting ops in P--O--K, this is what SG are pretty much for- the less said about them the better though.
Wrt a "Maldives type" situation contingency, this is what the IA's quick reaction units are for namely the 50th (INDEPENDENT) PARACHUTE BRIGADE is for. This unit is deployed near Hindon (near where the IAF's C-130J-30s are based) and regularly train to be ready and with "wheels up" within hours to where ever they may be required. This brigade is made up of personal from 2 PARA (AIRBORNE) btns and 1 PARA (SF) btn.
Agreed, the NSG needs to be pruned desperately, I have been calling for this for a while. Namely it is the SRG that needs to be trimmed if not abolished/separated entirely. The SAG (the actual "shooters" of the NSG) only number 400-800. The SAG is the only part that has IA soldiers on deputation so the SRG's bloatedness does not negatively effect the IA so much wrt force levels- the SRG recruits almost solely from the CAPFs.
To be fair it seems the NSG is going about a restructuring and reforming agenda, they have already said they are looking to become a leaner and more agile force in the next 5 years meaning pruning and losing bodies. To this cause the NSG has already pulled off some 900 odd SRG personal from VVIP duties.
I think we should wait until at least 2015 to see what the NSG of the future will look like, this seems to be the year when their 5 year restructuring and modernization process will come to a end. It will also be interesting to see what new kit they will have by then, by all accounts it will be awesome!
See:
Super Black Cat commandos by 2015, says NSG chief - India - DNA
http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/135077-new-age-commandos-high-end-weapons-nsg.html
The shadow of 26/11 has made an impression here too obviously.
Special Group--i dont know anything about them but if they are really doing what is told of them them they are doing a good job.
Sir, AFAIK the SOCOM is only a COMMAND structure and not a separate FORCE. Simply put the MARCOs, PARA (SF), GARUDs and an element of the NSG's SAG will separate from their existing command chains and be placed in the SOCOM with a IA SF at its head. The benefit of this is the SOCOM will have its own budget as such it will have its own procurement budget and own procurement procedures, the inter/joint training/interaction between all the Indian SOFs will increase and there will be a standardization of tactics and equipment. Additionally the command structure will be configured to allow SOFs to be more effective and more appropriately applied. Additionally there is certainly scope later down the road for the integration/raising of the Indian SOCOM's own aviation (rotatory and fixed) wings- let's not forget the IAF already has its own fixed wing Spec ops SQD, the IN has their own Spec ops rotatory wing SQD and the IA has plans for the same.
To see how the Indian SOCOM will function take a look at a working example:
United States Special Operations Command - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
No doubt in my mind about this!
I had a chance of watching the Garud documentary once again and those guys have some good equipment.I just hope the INSAS gets replaced soon and most of themn have NVGs.
I started searching about SF stuff in 2006 and back then there was little or no info available..back then our SF were not so well equipped and GARUDs were really like a regular infantry unit.
Its "unbelivable" to see how much more potent the SF units have become now.Thanks to all those who took the decision and 26/11 really acted like a "catalyst".I now feel that we really have a solid base now for launching some serious SF operations anywhere in South Asia.We just need to have a SOCOM with a special budget and the babus need to take the decisions.Theres no point wasting money and sweat if we cannot make our enemy bleed.
Agreed, the change in the last 4/5 years is just unreal. I would never have expected such a turnaround in such a short period, especially in a nation like India. I'd also like to add that there seems to have been a mindset change as well amongst the Military and political leadership. All the recent noise coming out of the Military is showing a greater appreciation of SOFs and their utility. When compared to Kargil some 14 years ago when SOFs were used as "super infantry". There seems to be a relasition of what SOFs can actually be used as a strategic asset. I like how the SOF seem to be getting their own space and resources now.
The future is very positive for Indian SOFs, I can't wait to see what happens in the next 5 years wrt the SOFs!
Moreover i believe a few units need some changes IMHO like...
The Para Commandos--The regular Para need to be kept like they are and they are doing their job really well of being a airborne infantry unit.The SF in my opinion should be renamed and among them we can have a special unit always ready for operation deep inside enemy territory in P--O--K.another specialised unit can be for China infact more than 1 and the rest can be put up for anti terror ops.
Agreed, PARA (SF) and PARA (AIRBORNE) need to be disassociated and the PARA (SF) be molded into a completely separate SF entity. There will always be strong ties between the PARA (AIRBORNE) and PARA (SF) as there is in every modern military between the airborne units and army SF as the latter receives most of their recruits from the former. PARA (AIRBORNE) should be kept as it is but dramatically expanded as the SF element of the PARA regmt outnumbering the PARA(AIRBORNE) btns is a joke.
However I don't feel there is any need for a seperate and dedicated unit for conducting ops in P--O--K, this is what SG are pretty much for- the less said about them the better though.
I belivwe the MARCOs need to be seriously expanded from the current ~1,000-2,000 operators to at least 4,000. Again, I see no need for separation and specializing within the MARCOs community, they are already all incredibly adaptable, well trained across the board and able to undertake almost any military mission out there in any environment one can imagine.Marine Commandos--i dont know much about them but they are doing their job pretty well in anti piracy operations.So a few units can be kept for piracy..the others should be sent in Kashmir and N-E and among them a special unit should be raised should there be any Maldives type situation again in South Asian.This unit should be specialed and their ops be based out of India.
Wrt a "Maldives type" situation contingency, this is what the IA's quick reaction units are for namely the 50th (INDEPENDENT) PARACHUTE BRIGADE is for. This unit is deployed near Hindon (near where the IAF's C-130J-30s are based) and regularly train to be ready and with "wheels up" within hours to where ever they may be required. This brigade is made up of personal from 2 PARA (AIRBORNE) btns and 1 PARA (SF) btn.
Agreed, but, with respect sir, I belive they are already well able to do almost any mission their navy or Army counterparts are. However I think it is a good idea to have a Garud QRT at the more sensitive IAF locations.GARUDS-they need to come out of their primary mission of saving AF bases and for a elite unit for all kinds of mission should the Army and Navy need them.They should be really ready for all kinds of missions.
NSG--Is doing good..very well equipped these days.Needs to reduce its strength and for a elite group.They need to keep not more than 500 specialists for any situation in India..having 10,000 commandos is really asking for too much from the Army.The more the commandos you have the lesser the resources.so keep a select elite group which is very well equipped and yeah...train the local polic to your standard..SWAT and Force India are doing a prety good job.
Agreed, the NSG needs to be pruned desperately, I have been calling for this for a while. Namely it is the SRG that needs to be trimmed if not abolished/separated entirely. The SAG (the actual "shooters" of the NSG) only number 400-800. The SAG is the only part that has IA soldiers on deputation so the SRG's bloatedness does not negatively effect the IA so much wrt force levels- the SRG recruits almost solely from the CAPFs.
To be fair it seems the NSG is going about a restructuring and reforming agenda, they have already said they are looking to become a leaner and more agile force in the next 5 years meaning pruning and losing bodies. To this cause the NSG has already pulled off some 900 odd SRG personal from VVIP duties.
I think we should wait until at least 2015 to see what the NSG of the future will look like, this seems to be the year when their 5 year restructuring and modernization process will come to a end. It will also be interesting to see what new kit they will have by then, by all accounts it will be awesome!
See:
Super Black Cat commandos by 2015, says NSG chief - India - DNA
http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/135077-new-age-commandos-high-end-weapons-nsg.html
The shadow of 26/11 has made an impression here too obviously.
Special Group--i dont know anything about them but if they are really doing what is told of them them they are doing a good job.
SOCOM-hire the best in the business from PARA,MARCOS and GARUDS...I have been told that 60% recruitment including the General will be from PARA SF..25% from marcos and 15% from GAruds..if the NSG and SFF are not a part.Anyways its not a very reliable source but whatever they do get the Command operational.We have a solid base to kick some azz in the region.
Sir, AFAIK the SOCOM is only a COMMAND structure and not a separate FORCE. Simply put the MARCOs, PARA (SF), GARUDs and an element of the NSG's SAG will separate from their existing command chains and be placed in the SOCOM with a IA SF at its head. The benefit of this is the SOCOM will have its own budget as such it will have its own procurement budget and own procurement procedures, the inter/joint training/interaction between all the Indian SOFs will increase and there will be a standardization of tactics and equipment. Additionally the command structure will be configured to allow SOFs to be more effective and more appropriately applied. Additionally there is certainly scope later down the road for the integration/raising of the Indian SOCOM's own aviation (rotatory and fixed) wings- let's not forget the IAF already has its own fixed wing Spec ops SQD, the IN has their own Spec ops rotatory wing SQD and the IA has plans for the same.
To see how the Indian SOCOM will function take a look at a working example:
United States Special Operations Command - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
i dare say we have the most-skilled,experienced and well equipped operators in the region who can can anybodys azz in the region.
No doubt in my mind about this!
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