Army planning revamp of commando forces

Army planning revamp of commando forces
GAURAV C. SAWANT

NEW DELHI, DEC 18: A core group within the Indian Army is carrying out a crucial study on the revamp of the elite special forces, ie, Army commandoes. The group is examining all aspects of organisation, operations, deployment and even equipment of the Army para commandoes. The study was ordered in the wake of the Kargil conflict and is being carried out by top parachute regiment officers.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Sundararajan Padmanabhan, is learnt to be keenly monitoring the progress of the study. The new mantra in the Indian Army is ``think unconventional'', especially with an unconventional head of state and Army in Pakistan, sources said. Kargil, they point out, was an unconventional act.

A large section of officials within the Defence establishment also feel that the para commandoes are not being effectively used and their skills have not been put to good use. General Padmanabhan, one of the most successful commanders in Jammu and Kashmir recently said that the Army para commandoes (9 Para SF) were his secret weapon in J-K and also in the desert sector (10 Para SF).

``The group is studying all aspects of organisation and operations, among other things. What kind of equipment do the commandoes need and other issues are also being addressed,'' General Padmanabhan said, though he chose not to elaborate on the matter.

Major General O.P. Sabharwal (retd) a former parachute outfit officer who is being consulted by the core group, told The Indian Express that the study is more or less over and its findings will be very valuable in revamping the special forces. Suggestions include joint training of Army, Marine and National Security Guard (NSG) commandoes before they move on to specialisation, converting existing parachute units into special formations, and equipping the special forces with the best weapons available in the world market.

``The revamp also needs to be cost effective and centralisation of training will reduce costs, as would conversion of the existing units into special forces. The money thus saved can be used for buying better equipment,'' Sabharwal said.

Sources in the Army state that Indian para commandoes were among the best in the world but at times were not being tasked properly. ``Pakistan is being headed by Pervez Musharraf, an ex-special services group (SSG) commando. The commandoes world over are taught to think and act unconventional in order to achieve the element of surprise,'' said an official.

The Indian Army, on the other hand, has always thought (up) conventional operations while preparing for a war in the desert sector. That was one reason why Pakistan achieved tactical surprise in Kargil. ``It very nearly succeeded in cutting off the supply chain east of Zojila up to the Siachen glacier. Occupying those peaks unheld since 1971 was an unconventional act and we (the Army) was caught off guard. We do not want this to happen again,'' he added.

The commandoes are a very sturdy, highly motivated cent per cent volunteer force who once tasked, work independently to achieve the results. ``Presently, the core group will find out who the para commandoes will report to, what changes are required in their training, upgradation in their weapons and also their deployment. They are a highly specialised force and cannot be used as an extension or replacement of the regular infantry battalions. They are being misused in places. The present COAS (Padmanabhan) has been a hands-on man and knows the importance of special forces,'' sources said. The changes will be implemented after the suggestions are discussed by the Army commanders.