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India To Group Services' Special Forces Into Separate Command
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) intends to put Army, Navy and Air Force special forces under a separate command in order to implement the 2004 military doctrine that emphasizes fighting in the littorals and behind enemy lines.Despite resistance to the idea from Army special forces, who did not want to be absorbed into a separate command outside the land service, MoD officials are already planning organizational changes to be implemented by next year, ministry sources said. A senior MoD official said the current fragmentation of the special forces keeps them in limited roles. They can conduct raids and assaults but not politically sensitive unconventional warfare, he said. MoD officials said a separate command with high-level intelligence-gathering systems is a must for the country. The senior official said an undisclosed amount of money will be made available for the new command and to fund their use of satellites, advanced C4I structures, and to acquire advanced weaponry and equipment from around the world. Indias 8,000 special operators include: The Armys 1,000 Para soldiers, now being trained by Israeli personnel at undisclosed locations, for clandestine operations, gathering intelligence and operating behind enemy lines, Army sources said. The Air Forces future 1,000-troop Garuda Commando force, to be trained in hostage rescue, clandestine warfare, jungle and snow operations, specialized weapons and diving. The Navys 2,000 commandos, who handle quick-reaction operations, reconnaissance, raids and clandestine operations. Some National Security guard personnel, who mostly protect high-ranking government officials. Navy officials also want to develop a rapid-mobility force along the lines of the U.S. Marines, for littoral operations away from home. The force will be equipped with amphibious ships plus surface combatants such as destroyers, frigates, and missile boats. The Defence Ministry is negotiating to buy the U.S. Navys Trenton, an amphibious transport dock ship, through the Pentagons Foreign Military Sales program within two years. Posted by: john 2006-06-05 |
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