Indian MARCOS

Indian MARCOS
Unit name	Marine Commandos (MARCOS)
Dates	1987–present
Country	India
Branch	Indian Navy
Role	Special forces
Size	"Classified"
Garrison	Visakhapatnam
Motto	"शं नो वरुणः"
Notable commanders	V Adm Bimal Verma, Adm R. K. Dhowan, Adm Sunil Lanba

Indian MARCOS are the maritime special operations force of the Indian Navy. Formed in 1987, they conduct a range of amphibious warfare and counter-terrorism missions, including maritime interdiction operations, ship boarding, special reconnaissance, and direct action. MARCOS operate alongside units such as the National Security Guard, Para (Special Forces), and Special Frontier Force in joint operations and have trained with international units like the United States Navy SEALs, UK Special Forces, and French Naval Commandos.

History

MARCOS trace origins to evolving post-Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 maritime threats and the need for a dedicated special operations maritime cadre within the Indian Navy. Early influences included concepts from the Royal Navy and United States Navy doctrine developed during the Cold War and after events like the Operation Entebbe precedent and the Iran hostage crisis. Formal establishment in 1987 followed lessons from incidents such as Operation Cactus and evolving regional security in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. MARCOS participated in operations related to the Kargil War, Sri Lankan Civil War, and counter-piracy missions off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, cooperating with task forces like Combined Task Force 151.

Organization and Structure

MARCOS are organized into squadrons and companies with headquarters and bases in locations such as Visakhapatnam, Goa, and Kochi. They are under operational control of the Indian Navy command structure and coordinate with the Integrated Defence Staff, Indian Coast Guard, and Ministry of Defence for joint planning. The force maintains detachments assigned to Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command and embeds liaison officers with formations including Southern Naval Command and Northern Naval Command for maritime security. MARCOS units integrate with platforms like INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant (2013), and INS Shakti for embarked operations.

Training and Selection

Selection is conducted through voluntary applicants from Indian Navy branches and allied services, with candidates undergoing rigorous courses influenced by training modules used by United States Navy SEALs', British Royal Marines', and French Commando Hubert. Training pipelines include airborne courses at Indian Air Force establishments, diving and hydrographic training with Naval Diving School, and counter-terrorism at facilities used by the National Security Guard and Commando School, Belgaum. Curriculum covers close quarters battle techniques taught similarly to standards in SAS, Delta Force, and GSG 9 exchanges; parachute insertion methods practiced alongside Parachute Regiment; and survival tactics informed by SERE doctrines. International exercises such as Malabar (naval exercise), Indra (military exercise), Cutlass Express, and Exercise Varuna support interoperability.

Roles and Operations

MARCOS perform maritime interdiction, hostage rescue aboard vessels, counter-piracy, coastal reconnaissance, amphibious assaults, and sabotage against hostile maritime infrastructure. They support maritime security of strategic chokepoints including the Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Mannar, and Lakshadweep approaches, and have been deployed for evacuation missions similar to Operation Safe Homecoming and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. MARCOS execute operations requiring coordination with Indian Army brigades, Indian Air Force assets such as HAL Dhruv and Sukhoi Su-30MKI for air support, and naval aviation units like INS Vikramaditya embarked squadrons.

Equipment and Armament

MARCOS use weapons and equipment sourced from indigenous and international suppliers, including small arms like the AK-203, INSAS rifle, SIG Sauer P226, Glock 17, Heckler & Koch MP5, and precision rifles such as the PSR-90 and Barrett M82 variants. Support weapons include grenade launchers like the Heckler & Koch AG36, machine guns such as the FN MAG and Negev, and anti-armor weapons like the RPG-7 and modern anti-tank guided missiles procured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Maritime and diving gear includes rebreathers and swimfins akin to those used by US Navy Experimental Diving Unit, scuba systems from Aqua Lung, and fast assault craft comparable to RIBs and Interceptor craft deployed with Indian Coast Guard units. Night vision, communications, and surveillance gear integrate systems from vendors linked to DRDO, BEL, and foreign suppliers used by INS Vikrant (2013) task groups.

Notable Operations

MARCOS took part in notable actions including anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and operations during the 1999 Kargil conflict support phases. They were instrumental in evacuation and security operations during Operation Sukoon and humanitarian missions after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. MARCOS contributed to multinational exercises such as Malabar (naval exercise), Varuna (naval exercise), and bilateral drills with United States Navy SEALs and French Naval Commandos enhancing capabilities demonstrated in interdiction missions akin to Operation Atalanta patrols.

Insignia, Uniforms, and Traditions

MARCOS wear distinct insignia and uniforms influenced by naval and commando traditions, with beret flashes and qualification badges paralleling insignia used by Royal Marines and US Navy SEALs while incorporating symbols reflective of Indian Navy heraldry. Traditions include unit mottos and commemorations observed alongside celebrations in bases such as Visakhapatnam Naval Base and participation in ceremonies involving dignitaries from Ministry of Defence and service chiefs like Chief of the Naval Staff.

Category:Special forces of India Category:Indian Navy