Indian Special Forces (archived)

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mayfair

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I wonder if the probies who for some reason were not able to make it till the end i.e. had to drop out, are they reassigned to other specialised units (or specialised sub-units within units such as Ghatak), where their acquired skills (they must have some to make it thus far plus what they gathered along the way) can be harnessed?
 

WARREN SS

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I wonder if the probies who for some reason were not able to make it till the end i.e. had to drop out, are they reassigned to other specialised units (or specialised sub-units within units such as Ghatak), where their acquired skills (they must have some to make it thus far plus what they gathered along the way) can be harnessed?
No Probbies Are Maken into Para Battalions You see they are qualified For Maroon cap and Special Force Batch
if you seen in the End of Video There Still very confusion in this very part Difference Btw paratroopers and Para SF of Parachute Regiment in IA

They Special Forces Raised Within Parachute Regiment of Indian army

Special forces like

The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade comprises the following units:

  • 02 Special Forces Airborne
  • 01 Special Forces
The Special Forces (Airborne) units in rotation form part of the parachute brigade alternatively serving their field tenures in counter-insurgency/high altitude areas. One of the eight SF battalions too serves in the brigade on rotation. One of the two field regiments (9 Para Fd Regt and 17 Para Fd Regt) also forms part of the brigade while the other serves out its field tenure on rotation.

31st Battalion (Commando), Rashtriya Rifles, is also affiliated to the Parachute Regiment, for special operations conducted by the counter-insurgency force.
 
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Berkut

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Our SF is structured more like how the US army Rangers (not the 75th Ranger ) , the French Foreign Legion (except the fact that legions are exclusively staffed by non French)are structured. They don't seem to be organized or prepared for missions such as Tier 1operatives in the US or the Brit SAS go on.

Will the Gurus agree?
 

mayfair

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Our SF is structured more like how the US army Rangers (not the 75th Ranger ) , the French Foreign Legion (except the fact that legions are exclusively staffed by non French)are structured. They don't seem to be organized or prepared for missions such as Tier 1operatives in the US or the Brit SAS go on.

Will the Gurus agree?
You mean units authorised for Black Ops or similar? Perhaps the Special Frontier Force (SFF) is closer to the "Tier 1 operatives" that you speak of, or maybe Para 9-SF. Knowledgeable members may shed more light on this.
 

mayfair

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No Probbies Are Maken into Para Battalions You see they are qualified For Maroon cap and Special Force Batch
if you seen in the End of Video There Still very confusion in this very part Difference Btw paratroopers and Para SF of Parachute Regiment in IA

They Special Forces Raised Within Parachute Regiment of Indian army

Special forces like

The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade comprises the following units:

  • 02 Special Forces Airborne
  • 01 Special Forces
Sorry, if my query was confusing and not clear, what I meant to ask was that as seen in the Discovery documentary, 23 volunteers were initially taken up for Probation and 11 of them received the coveted maroon beret (and the glass chewing).

My question was regarding the remaining 12, what happens to them?

Do they simply go back to their parent regiments (I have not seen the video fully so I am not sure is all of the 23 came from Prachute regiments only or were drawn from all units in the army) and back to their old deployments? Or are they send back to parent regiments, but in a different capacity (such as Ghatak sub-units)? I ask this because these men were found capable of consideration and during the initial probation would have learned some skills that make them better equipped than the other members of their original units. Does the army make use of these "new acquired" qualifications and utilise them accordingly?

The Special Forces (Airborne) units in rotation form part of the parachute brigade alternatively serving their field tenures in counter-insurgency/high altitude areas. One of the eight SF battalions too serves in the brigade on rotation. One of the two field regiments (9 Para Fd Regt and 17 Para Fd Regt) also forms part of the brigade while the other serves out its field tenure on rotation.

31st Battalion (Commando), Rashtriya Rifles, is also affiliated to the Parachute Regiment, for special operations conducted by the counter-insurgency force.
What about the Black Ops, are they pulled in from al SFs or specific brigades in particular?
 

armyofhind

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No Probbies Are Maken into Para Battalions You see they are qualified For Maroon cap and Special Force Batch
if you seen in the End of Video There Still very confusion in this very part Difference Btw paratroopers and Para SF of Parachute Regiment in IA

They Special Forces Raised Within Parachute Regiment of Indian army

Special forces like

The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade comprises the following units:

  • 02 Special Forces Airborne
  • 01 Special Forces
The Special Forces (Airborne) units in rotation form part of the parachute brigade alternatively serving their field tenures in counter-insurgency/high altitude areas. One of the eight SF battalions too serves in the brigade on rotation. One of the two field regiments (9 Para Fd Regt and 17 Para Fd Regt) also forms part of the brigade while the other serves out its field tenure on rotation.

31st Battalion (Commando), Rashtriya Rifles, is also affiliated to the Parachute Regiment, for special operations conducted by the counter-insurgency force.
50th Independent Parachute Brigade is not a special force. It's an expeditionary force.
It has two paratrooper battalions and one SF battalion attached to it. and the various battalions of the Paratroopers rotate within it.

There is nothing as special forces Airborne. It is only Para and Para SF. Some generals from Paratrooper Battalions wanted to get them renamed as "Special Forces Airborne" in order to make them eligible for the extra allowances given to a special forces soldier but that did not materialize.
 

WARREN SS

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50th Independent Parachute Brigade is not a special force. It's an expeditionary force.
It has two paratrooper battalions and one SF battalion attached to it. and the various battalions of the Paratroopers rotate within it.

There is nothing as special forces Airborne. It is only Para and Para SF. Some generals from Paratrooper Battalions wanted to get them renamed as "Special Forces Airborne" in order to make them eligible for the extra allowances given to a special forces soldier but that did not materialize.
That's not the complete truth

There 2 special forces(Airborne) battalions in The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade



It's not you and me who can decide SF category and role but Army HQ

And these 2 battalions are listed as SF battalions in there books

That's why they allowed to wear maroon Caps And SF patch in their Arms




MS Dhoni was commissioned into the 106 Para TA Bn with the Hon. Rank of Lt.Col by the President of India

Similar things happened to SFF a decade back where they are not allowed to wear maroon by IA HQ but Later they are authenticated under MHA and cabinet secretariat a Special Forces

Special forces Categories are are not specified by Indian establishment that's why you see non military forces Like CRPF Cobra is also stated as SF Under MHA
 
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WARREN SS

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Sorry, if my query was confusing and not clear, what I meant to ask was that as seen in the Discovery documentary, 23 volunteers were initially taken up for Probation and 11 of them received the coveted maroon beret (and the glass chewing).

My question was regarding the remaining 12, what happens to them?

Do they simply go back to their parent regiments (I have not seen the video fully so I am not sure is all of the 23 came from Prachute regiments only or were drawn from all units in the army) and back to their old deployments? Or are they send back to parent regiments, but in a different capacity (such as Ghatak sub-units)? I ask this because these men were found capable of consideration and during the initial probation would have learned some skills that make them better equipped than the other members of their original units. Does the army make use of these "new acquired" qualifications and utilise them accordingly?
Ok No they are Recruits And yes they will go to there Parent Regiments

No To qualify For ghatak you need to Pass training at the Commando Training Course in Belgaum, Karnataka.
Often, other specialized training like heliborne assault, rock climbing, mountain warfare, demolitions, advanced weapons training, close quarter battle and infantry tactics are also given.


Members of the platoon are also sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School.

That's Often Depends Where you Deployed and Operational Requirements

There No Short-cut Mate Like you See in Video after one Probie is Hospitalized he was Wasted his 27 hours of 36 hours of training course which he was already completed

Now, He has to Complete 36 hours of Intense training once again from Zero hours
 

WARREN SS

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What about the Black Ops, are they pulled in from al SFs or specific brigades in particular?
Blacks ops are conducted by Both Conventional and Unconventional SF's in India

Armed forces Units Conventional Specialised Black Ops
  • MARCOS
  • PARA SF

For Most Classified And Unconventional Black Ops
  • Special Activities Group or Special Group
Special Activities Group or Special Group is a Classified Most Elite Unit Raised Within Special Frontier Force Which are Specific For Black Ops Across the Borders.Its Comes Under Direct Control of Cabinet Secretariat Under R&AW and PMO
Alone among the 'Vikas regiments' or SFF battalions, it is not made up of Tibetans but exclusively recruits Indians volunteering from Indian Army units Like PARA SF or other Units .


The Service Period Served by Any Operative in SAG is Never Mentioned in Records or Any where in Archives
 

armyofhind

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That's not the complete truth

There 2 special forces(Airborne) battalions in The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade



It's not you and me who can decide SF category and role but Army HQ

And these 2 battalions are listed as SF battalions in there books

That's why they allowed to wear maroon Caps And SF patch in their Arms




MS Dhoni was commissioned into the 106 Para TA Bn with the Hon. Rank of Lt.Col by the President of India

Similar things happened to SFF a decade back where they are not allowed to wear maroon by IA HQ but Later they are authenticated under MHA and cabinet secretariat a Special Forces

Special forces Categories are are not specified by Indian establishment that's why you see non military forces Like CRPF Cobra is also stated as SF Under MHA
Dude, there is no such thing as Special Forces (Airborne).
There is only Special Forces.
And there is Airborne, who are the Paratroopers.

Maroon Berets are worn by both SF and Paratroopers. But the special forces tabs are given only to SF. Same thing with the Balidan badge. Given only to SF.

In SFF also, only the troopers who are Airborne qualified can wear a Maroon Beret.
but that doesn't mean they are special forces.
 

rkhanna

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The Term Special Forces (Airborne) and Airborne are ONLY US Army Unit Designations.
 

Bornubus

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Each and every single SFF is Airborne qualified, even their CO are only from para (on deputation)

This doesn't include the non Tibetan AMC and other support elements who also serves in SFF on deputation.

Now a days their composition is made of Gurkhas and NE Buddhist from Sikkim and AP.
 

WARREN SS

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What about the Black Ops, are they pulled in from al SFs or specific brigades in particular?
Dude, there is no such thing as Special Forces (Airborne).
There is only Special Forces.
And there is Airborne, who are the Paratroopers.

Maroon Berets are worn by both SF and Paratroopers. But the special forces tabs are given only to SF. Same thing with the Balidan badge. Given only to SF.

In SFF also, only the troopers who are Airborne qualified can wear a Maroon Beret.
but that doesn't mean they are special forces.
Again I Explained It You in Detail Its Not Up to Your observation but Its Upon Authorities MHA or IA HQ
Its Explain you are Military Enthusiast And you Believed What you got from observing Military Forums


Let Me Tell You difference between Paratroopers and Para SF
Paratroopers You See in the Video are Awarded with both Maroon Cap and SF Batch After
90 days or 3 Months of Probation Training Right or Wrong?


Sir,Special Forces are Not Bound To Mere Maroon CAP or SF TAG
So Do you Seen National Security Guards or NSG where SF Tag or Maroon But they are Listed As SF Under MHA So are PMO SPG And CRPF Cobra Same goes To SFF


But An PARA SF operative Required To Clear 7 Months of Advanced course + 3 months of Probation training only Paratroopers can Became A PARA SF Which Specialized For Amphibious Role Such Marcos of Indian Navy

Let Explain It you

Their are Nine Battalions Para (Special Forces) battalions (1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12,21 PARA)The total strength of the regiment stands about to 4500 with the majority being in the Paratroopers(Airborne), while the Para (SF) stands about 1200-1500 operators at Stretch


Each SF Battalion are Formed by 150-200 Para SF assault teams Rest are All Paratroopers

Now Come to SFF

Sir,All forces trained in a specific manner to conduct covert/unconventional operations are designated as special forces. They are given specialised training and equipment specific to their task.

Special Forces of the Indian Armed Forces are as aforementioned.

However, to contend the limitation of Special Forces in India to them is incorrect.

I know SFF is a different 'beast'. But it is a specialised force under Cabinet Secretariat and a recognised 'Special Force' under MHA.

For bold portion, what you typed held a few years back, when inter services rivalry led to orders that SFF is not entitled to wear its para wings outside its compounds! That is history, a decade back.

So SFF And SG Both are now trained for similar tasks and undertake similar missions in CI roles, be it in valley or in NE. The troops are no more exclusively Tibetan now. The difference in training of VIKAS units only come in for area and for SG component

Additionally, the only difference is in SG, a successor to SOG which used to exist in post-independence years. The assault teams in SG have different troop composition and different roles for each assault team. Lets leave it at that.

Perhaps one can say SG is super special force



 
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WARREN SS

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Each and every single SFF is Airborne qualified, even their CO are only from para (on deputation)

This doesn't include the non Tibetan AMC and other support elements who also serves in SFF on deputation.

Now a days their composition is made of Gurkhas and NE Buddhist from Sikkim and AP.
Even Current Army COAS Served As CO of SFF for Some Period
 

Bornubus

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Even Current Army COAS Served As CO of SFF for Some Period
Earlier there were non para officer served as a CO of SF and SFF.

He was the CO of 10 para in IPKF and took part in the famous relief of para commando pinned down by LTTE. In the same operation Col Kaul (Armored Regt) lost his eye and a thumb.
 

reddevil9

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Again I Explained It You in Detail Its Not Up to Your observation but Its Upon Authorities MHA or IA HQ
Its Explain you are Military Enthusiast And you Believed What you got from observing Military Forums


Let Me Tell You difference between Paratroopers and Para SF
Paratroopers You See in the Video are Awarded with both Maroon Cap and SF Batch After
90 days or 3 Months of Probation Training Right or Wrong?


Sir,Special Forces are Not Bound To Mere Maroon CAP or SF TAG
So Do you Seen National Security Guards or NSG where SF Tag or Maroon But they are Listed As SF Under MHA So are PMO SPG And CRPF Cobra Same goes To SFF


But An PARA SF operative Required To Clear 7 Months of Advanced course + 3 months of Probation training only Paratroopers can Became A PARA SF Which Specialized For Amphibious Role Such Marcos of Indian Navy

Let Explain It you

Their are Nine Battalions Para (Special Forces) battalions (1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12,21 PARA)The total strength of the regiment stands about to 4500 with the majority being in the Paratroopers(Airborne), while the Para (SF) stands about 1200-1500 operators at Stretch


Each SF Battalion are Formed by 150-200 Para SF assault teams Rest are All Paratroopers

Now Come to SFF

Sir,All forces trained in a specific manner to conduct covert/unconventional operations are designated as special forces. They are given specialised training and equipment specific to their task.

Special Forces of the Indian Armed Forces are as aforementioned.

However, to contend the limitation of Special Forces in India to them is incorrect.

I know SFF is a different 'beast'. But it is a specialised force under Cabinet Secretariat and a recognised 'Special Force' under MHA.

For bold portion, what you typed held a few years back, when inter services rivalry led to orders that SFF is not entitled to wear its para wings outside its compounds! That is history, a decade back.

So SFF And SG Both are now trained for similar tasks and undertake similar missions in CI roles, be it in valley or in NE. The troops are no more exclusively Tibetan now. The difference in training of VIKAS units only come in for area and for SG component

Additionally, the only difference is in SG, a successor to SOG which used to exist in post-independence years. The assault teams in SG have different troop composition and different roles for each assault team. Lets leave it at that.

Perhaps one can say SG is super special force
SG is the only tier 1 force among the indian special forces.like delta or ST6,
 

abingdonboy

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Our SF is structured more like how the US army Rangers (not the 75th Ranger ) , the French Foreign Legion (except the fact that legions are exclusively staffed by non French)are structured. They don't seem to be organized or prepared for missions such as Tier 1operatives in the US or the Brit SAS go on.

Will the Gurus agree?
The problem here is you are applying a very specific foreign military's own designation structure on an entirely different military- the Indian military.

"Tier 1" is not actually what many think it is- it is simply a designation that relates to budgetary considerations (ie Tier 1 gets the largest budget per soldier).

When comparing the units in the US military's Tier 1; Delta (CAG) and DEVGRU the Indian units that are comparable would be Special Group and MARCOs.

That said, the PARA (SF) (as we have seen) are not to be discounted simply because they don't fit exactly with the US military's "tier 1" structure, they are able to do much of what Delta/DEVGRU/Green Berets are able to.

What India really needs is its own JSOC (an elite team of SF operators from all 3 branches) with its own support structure and assets. What is holding India back in this regard is poltical will and pathetic budget allocation to the SFs.
 

WARREN SS

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What India really needs is its own JSOC (an elite team of SF operators from all 3 branches) with its own support structure and assets. What is holding India back in this regard is poltical will and pathetic budget allocation to the SFs.
Not budget, I doubt It U See Army Is only Services in Tri Services Who are Poorly Equipped and Maintained
Navy and Air-forces in this regard Far ahead

As far I Know Budget of R&AW is somewhere around 4-5 Billion $ with Black Budget

You Can Run MNC in this Amount of fund Wonder Where funds are going
 
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