Well let's see what the NSG was like pre the 2010 modernisation project:
(2009^)
And now:
We all remember:
They now have all of the above (except gatling guns and UAVs with shotguns on them, wtf?)
Clearly personal equipment has come a long way with the NSG- it is night and day really and this is to be commended. However the 2010-11 NSG upgrade/modernisation plan was not all about personal equipment but three broad areas:
-Personal Equipment
-Improved situational awareness for both the unit members and commanders in Delhi and in on the ground
-Making the NSG main CT task force in Delhi self contained and able to take off from the airport with everything they could possibly need to carry out an operation and go without outside assistance for 72 hours.
On the whole the personal equipment part of the plan has delivered, yes we still have the case of the odd "tin helmet" but I've only seen this in support units (EOD and Sniper) recently and I'm sure this will trickle down from the assault teams to them shortly. I would like them to get the FAST helmets with integrated p-rails able to attach accessories like NVGs and lights but I'm not sure this is being looked at considering the NSG has just got their new helmets.
The self contained CT task force element is in place, they are deployed at the IGI around the clock, bags packed, supplies stored and they even have specialist support vehicles such as assault vehicles (Renault Sherpa) and total containment vehicles (TCV) ready to be loaded onto a plane and go with them.
Now the improved situational awareness is the last bit that I haven't quite seen demonstrated or delivered. The idea was for all NSG teams to have personal computers and body worn cameras allowing for real time decimation of information up and down the chain of command and even back to control rooms in Delhi. The NSG has an RFP out for body worn cameras so I suspect this is the area they are now focusing on.
It is interesting that they now enjoy a quadrupled capital acquisitions budget and this coincides with them coming to the end of their 5 year modernisation plan. You never stay still in this field and they know they can't afford to so it is going to be fascinating to see what their next 5 year modernisation plan looks like because they have a lot of cash to play with and are already starting from a decent base i.e. the force is pretty well equipped.
My speculation outside of the body worn cameras and everything that already have been introduced under the 2010-15 modernisation project:
- Perhaps looking to replace the Mp-5. X-95 maybe? Mp-7? Maybe a full assault rifle like the SCAR?
-Perhaps looking at a replacement for the SIG 550/1/3 family.
- I read that the NSG were looking to start training some teams in jungle warfare for possible HR missions that might come up in the Naxal areas so they would need to equip for that.
- just keeping up with new personal equipment in general