MARCOS

This article is about the Indian Navy special forces. For other uses, see Marcos.
Not to be confused with MARSOC.

MARCOS
MARCOS Patch
ActiveFebruary 1987 – present
(37 years, 9 months)[1]
Country India
Branch Indian Navy
TypeSpecial Operations Forces
Size1,200-2,000 (est.) (Classified)[2][3]
HeadquartersINS Karna, Vishakapatnam, India
Nickname(s)Magarmach (The Crocodiles),[4]
Dadhiwala Fauj (The Bearded Army)[5][6]
Motto(s)"The Few, The Fearless"[7][5]
Anniversaries14 February
EngagementsOperation Cactus
Operation Leech
Operation Pawan
Kargil War
Operation Black Tornado
Operation Cyclone
Counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir
Insignia
MARCOS badge
Special Forces shoulder tab

The Marine Commando Force (MCF), abbreviated to MARCOS, are the special forces of the Indian Navy.[7][1] The MARCOS were originally named Indian Marine Special Force, which was later changed to Marine Commando Force to impart "an element of individuality" to it, according to the Indian Navy. The abbreviation 'MARCOS' was coined afterwards.[8]

The MARCOS were founded in February 1987. MARCOS are capable of operating in all types of environments; at sea, in air and on land.[1][9] The force has gradually acquired more experience and an international reputation for professionalism.[1][10] The MARCOS regularly undertake specialised maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, a 65 square kilometres (16,000 acres) freshwater lake, and conduct counter-insurgency operations in the region.[11][9]

Some MARCOS units are a part of the tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division.[12]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference PIB was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Agencies take shape for special operations, space, cyber war". The Times of India. 16 May 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference finet.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Marine Commandos, kings of all special forces". in.com. 28 November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "15 Reasons The Indian Navy MARCOS Are The Best in the World". India Times. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b "INS Abhimanyu". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ravindra Wijegunaratne was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "With added emphasis on Special Forces, the army is set to change the face of war". Force. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Major General A K Dhingra appointed as the first Special Operations Division Commander". The Economic Times. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.