MARINE COMMANDO FORCE

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INTRODUCTION

The Marine Commando Force (MCF) is a special forces unit, that was created by the Indian Navy (IN) in 1987. For many years, the IN wanted to establish an elite force for special maritime ops. Prior to this, Navy divers trained in explosive ordnance disposal and Army units were often assigned for maritime exercises.

In 1983, the 340th Army Independent Brigade, which had a force of three infantry battalions, at Trivandrum, was raised as a special maritime unit. They were assault operations in which both airborne and maritime forces participated. Since then, the IN has conducted various exercises as a show of force, notably in 1984 in the Andaman Islands and in 1986 off Goa.

Then in April 1986, the Indian Naval Staff created a plan for a special force which would be able to conduct recon, raids and even counter-terrorist operations in a maritime environment. Three Naval Officers were sent for training with the US Navy SEALS and further training was conducted with British Special Forces. These three Naval Officers formed the first nucleus of the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF) which was formally raised in February 1987.

MCF personnel storm an oilrig platform from a Seaking Mk.42C

The IMSF first went into action a few months after its raising in Sri Lanka to fight against the LTTE (Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelan). During Operation Pawan, a single battalion of the 340th Ind. Bde. left the Naval base of Vizag for Jaffna and Batticaloa on board landing ships, together with a detachment of the IMSF which was to provide the beach reconnaissance party.

As one of the first IPKF units to be deployed, the 340th Bde served until operations in the Tricomalee area were complete. Beside leading the beach landings, the IMSF also provided security patrols along the coastal road, west of Jaffna, until the Army's 41st Bde was able to take charge. On 21 October 1987, a IN force conducted a successful amphibious raid against a LTTE base at Guru Nagar.

Then in November 1988, mercenaries of the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelan (PLOTE), a party used by the India to counter the LTTE, attempted a coup in the Maldives. The Indian Armed Forces quickly began an operation to re-establish the former government. Under the codename Operation Cactus, Indian paratroopers on 4 November 1988,  swarmed on the capital.

A MCF member being recovered by a helicopter after a mission

However 46 mercenaries with 27 hostages, including the Maldivian Minister of Education, managed to escape on board a merchant ship. The next day the merchant ship was detected by an Il-38 May MR aircraft and was then tracked by a Tu-142M Bear-F, another maritime recon aircraft, until two IN vessels were able to capture the absconding ship.

Two Sea King Mk.42 helicopters, from the one of the naval vessels, dropped depth charges to deter evasion. Finally on the morning of 6 November 1988, IMSF commandos boarded the vessel and took control without any resistance from the mercenaries.

TRAINING

In 1991, the IMSF had its name changed to the Marine Commando Force (MCF). MCF trainees have to complete a two-year course, the first phase of which lasts one month, in which they have to go through many rigorous physical tests. The tests are so hard that the failure rate is about 50%. Then for the next nine months, MCF trainees are taught how to use different types of weapons, conduct special warfare techniques and how to gather intelligence from the enemy.

The MCF also conducts operational reconnaissance training which includes a variety of environments; beach, coastal, riverine and jungle. This part of training is conducted in sync with other Indian special forces at the Combined Commando School at Sirsawa. They also have to undergo a parachute training course and a diving course at Agra and Cochin.

Once MCF trainees have completed their first 9 months of these rigorous tests, they join MCF groups where additional specialized training is carried out. This combat ready qualification takes another year. Most of the training deals with counter-terrorist operations. They are tasked with protecting oil platforms off Bombay and also with anti-hijacking/piracy operations.

The strength of the MCF is a closely guarded secret, however sources say that the number could be anywhere from 1000 to 1500 personnel. Currently there are 3 main MCF groups detached to the three naval commands; Bombay (West), Cochin (South) and Vizag (East). INS Abhimanyu, in Bombay, is where most of the specialised MCF training is now done.

From just three personnel in 1986 to 1000 - 1500 personnel in 1998, the quick rise increase in the MCF has changed the unit's role. It was intended to be dedicated to special MR operations, but a considerable part of the MCF is doubling as marine infantry, assigned to the 340th Brigade, with the usual flexibility of commando forces. That means that they have the capability of conducting swift amphibious raids and co-operating with Indian airborne units, in joint assault operations.

Each of the three main MCF groups have smaller units within them known as the Quick Reaction Section (QRS), which is the size of a large platoon. They are given the task of counter-terrorism and specialized warfare. Unlike standard MCF units, which are armed with weapons like the 7.62mm assault rifle and the Sterling Mk.4 sub-machine gun, the QRS use AK-47 assault rifles and MP-5 sub-machine guns which are more suited to close-quarter engagements.

MCF members regaining control of a hijacked bus

MCF training is far more rigorous, better than any standard Indian Army unit and even better than their Western counterparts, who are only given the task of amphibious assault. Although all the MCF members are qualified parachutists and even undergo a combat divers course (which is not a common practice in other commando forces), only a few manage to complete the free-fall (HALO) parachute training and it is these few that are selected for operations with Cosmos CE-2F/X100 two-man subs.

When the MCF's role was expanded to include attacks on harbour facilities and the sabotage of enemy ships, the Navy chose the Italian Cosmos CE-2F/X100 and eleven vehicles were bought in 1990. It has a length of 7 meters, a weight of 2100kg, and a maximum underwater combat range of 25 nautical miles. It carries two operators and is fitted with a forward compartment for carrying special equipment like heavy explosive charges or limpet anti-ship mines.

For the amphibious assault role, the Indian Navy relies on a small fleet based at Vizag. Two new 5,600 ton landing ships of the Magar class offer a good transport capability, thanks to the four Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel on davits, the beaching capability and a stern helicopter platform with hangar.

Although locally built, the IN's original plan for eight of the class seem to have been shelved because of budgetary constraints. Eight smaller landing ships of the Polnochny class are scarcely operational for lack of spare parts; they are 10-20 years old. The four most recent vessels support a small helicopter platform. Seven 500-ton landing craft utility (LCU), locally built between 1978-1987, are also in service.

MCF trainees learning close-quarter battle tactics with MP-5 SMGs

The navy also shows great interest in air-cushion craft and a few are on order for fast, short-range assault operations. Although most of the naval inventory is of Russian origin and the Russians are the largest operator of air-cushion craft, the new hovercrafts are being procured in the West. The MCF is supported also by six SeaKing Mk.42C helicopters and a few Chetak light helicopters.

Because of the lack of midget submarines, whose delivery was denied by the Italian authorities, the Cosmos are transported close to the target on the back of parent submarines, most probably Foxtrot Class subs. The CE-2F/X100 can withstand a transit depth of 100 metres. Also surface ships like, surface combatants or naval auxiliaries, can be used for delivering these crafts, although with less discretion.

FUTURE

The presence of a significant marine component within the Indian Navy fits very well with the declared intention of expanding the role of the fleet to establish a credible blue-water intervention force. An effective, yet dimensionally limited, capability of power projection is clearly available already and is coupled with a reasonable capability to conduct covert operations and specialized warfare.

The armed forces have demonstrated an amazing quick-reaction capability and the willingness to establish an area of exclusive interest well beyond India's borders. That makes the Marine Commando Force (MCF) a flexible force for facing peace-time contingencies and making effective the intentions expressed by India's policymakers.

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