What are amazing facts about the Indian Navy’s MARCOS?

MARCOS is short for Marine Commandos. It was previously named as MCF or Marine Commando Force. It is the Special Forces wing of Indian Navy started in 1987.

They are trained to perform an operation in any terrain, land – sea – air but they are specialized to conduct special operations in the maritime environment.

MARCOS can be launched into operations from ships, aircraft, and submarines in full battle gear. There transport consists of HAL Dhruv, Westland Sea King, HAL Chetak Helicopter, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Indian Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicle.

The average MARCOS training drop-out rate is more than 90%

The total duration of training of MARCOS is between two and a half to three years.

The basic training lasts six months. The first two months is the weeding out phase. The first phase of which lasts one month, in which they undergo many rigorous physical tests of which only 50% pass. Then for the next nine months, they are taught how to use different types of weapons, conduct special warfare techniques and how to gather intelligence from the enemy.

This is followed by a year of training of specialized skills. They are trained in various types of close combat. Being divers, they can reach hostile shores swimming underwater.

The INS Abhimanyu is the home base of the MARCOS

Majority of the training is conducted at INS Abhimanyu which is also the home base of MARCOS.

MARCOS train along with the Indian Army Special Forces Officers the Para Commandos
MARCOS train along with the Indian Army Special Forces Officirs like the ara Commandos at the Indian Special Force Training School, Nahan.

MARCOS are also then trained at various training agencies within the navy.

MARCOS are both HALO – High Altitude Low Opening and HAHO – High Altitude High Opening qualified

They are trained in counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking and anti-piracy operations
MARCOS are Special Operation Force of Indian Navy. Their role is to conduct special operations like Anti-Piracy ops, CI/CT ops in Kashmir, or even civil assistance in a natural disaster.

They work as a Guardian of the Indian Sea and coastal areas, fighting maritime terrorism, Anti-Piracy ops, hostage rescue, diving operations, surveillance and recce missions, conducting unconventional warfare are the type of operations they are sent into.

They also get to train with other Special Forces unit of different countries

Members of the first batch of Marine Commando were sent to undergo the US Navy SEALs training and further training from British SAS. Now the training consists of a two-year course for new recruits.

They are well equipped and carry some of the finest weapons in the world

They are well equipped with small arms like, Pistol Auto 9mm 1A, Sterling submachine gun, AK-103, APS underwater rifle, Heckler & Koch PSG1 to support weapons like, IWI Negev, Arsenal AD, AGS-17, B-300 Anti-Tank.

Widely feared as the “Bearded army” for their disguise outfit
ARCOS are widely feared among the terrorists, who call them “Dadiwala fauj”, meaning the “Bearded army” because of their bearded disguise in civil areas.

Operation Pawan, Operation Cactus are some of the famous successful international operations undertaken by the MARCOS
Just recently on October 6th, 2017 Indian Navy MARCOS onboard INS Trishul carried out an Anti-Piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden. They foiled the piracy attempt on an Indian ship MV Jag Amar at 1230h. Read .

Two to four teams of MARCOS are deployed round the year in Jammu & Kashmir, at Wular Lake
Operation Rakshak Ongoing Counter-insurgency (COIN) operations in Jammu and Kashmir, in the Jhelum River, and Wular Lake. Two to four teams of MARCOS are deployed round the year in Jammu & Kashmir, at Wular Lake. This 250 square km lake, surrounded by mountains, was being used freely by militants to reach Srinagar, saving them from having to travel 100 km through the mountains.

 

 

 

 

Source:-  Indian Special Forces