• By Abhirupa Kundu
  • Sat, 06 Jan 2024 02:13 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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MARCOS or Marine Commandos, Indian Navy's special forces safely evacuated 21 crew members including 15 Indians from a bulk hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia Coast. The operation was carried out as the Navy's elite commandos intercepted the ship, boarded it and rescued the crew. Though no pirates were found, visuals from the anti-piracy operation garnered widespread views on social media. The Marine Commando Force (MCF) is a secretive and exclusive unit of the Navy with exceptional combating skills and unmatching bravery.

The elite marine unit often put parallel to the United States Navy SEALs, was first established in 1987 and holds the capacity to operate in all environments, at sea, in air and on land. Some of the MARCOS units are part of the tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division.

How Are The MARCOS Selected?

Rigorous training and excruciating challenges are a part of the selection process of this elite unit, where personnel with exceptional career records are chosen and invited to get induced into the MARCOS unit. The training of those chosen is a gradual and demanding process where they have to go through stringent measures that test their mental and physical strength.

ALSO READ: Video: Crew Members Of MV Lila Norfolk Rescued By Indian Navy MARCOS Raise 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' Chants

The training regimen includes airborne operations, combat diving courses, counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking, anti-piracy operations, direct action, infiltration and exfiltration tactics, special reconnaissance and unconventional warfare. Most of the training is conducted at INS Abhimanyu, which is also the home base of MARCOS.

The pre-training selection process is made up of two parts. Indian Navy personnel who want to join MARCOS must undergo a three-day physical fitness and aptitude test.

A further screening process known as 'hell's week' comparable to the US Navy SEALs' "Hell Week" is then put into action. Around 80-85% of the volunteers who enroll fail to fully qualify as MARCOS.

The total duration of training of MARCOS is between seven and eight months.

What Are The Equipment Used By MARCOS?

-Firearms: Pistol, Sub-machine Gun, Assault Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Light-machine Gun

-Support Weapons: Automatic Grenade Launcher, Shipon Anti-Tank Weapon, Under-barrel Grenade Launcher, Recoilless rifle, MANPADS

-HAL Dhruv Utility Helicopter

-Westland WS-61 Sea King Transport Helicopter

-Chetak Helicopters

-Cosmos CE-2F X100 two-man Swimmer Delivery Vehicle

-Indian Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicles

- All-terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

Missions Undertaken By The MARCOS Commandos

-Operation Pawan: The first mission in 1987 helped capture the harbours of Jaffna and Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force.

- Operation Cactus: The force played a supporting role in India's successful military aid, helping foil the attempted coup by Sri Lankan militants.

-Operation Zabardast: MARCOS personnel intercepted an LTTE vessel smuggling arms and ammunition.

-Kargil War: Involved alongside the Indian Army during the Kargil War.

-Anti-piracy operations in 2008, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2024.

-Abduction of Dubai Princess Sheikha Latifa: In 2018, the MARCOS captured the princess off the coast of India and handed her over to UAE authorities.

ALSO READ: WATCH: How Indian Navy MARCOS Rescued Crew Members Including 15 Indians From Hijacked Ship

In the latest mission, MARCOS undertook the operation from their base at INS Chennai, they are still carrying out sanitisation operations in other parts of the vessel, military officials said.

"MV was kept under continuous surveillance using Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Predator MQ9B and integral helos. The Indian Navy Marine Commandos present onboard the Mission Deployed warship boarded the MV and have commenced the Sanitisation," a statement from Indian Navy informed.

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