However, most of them are not parachute qualified. It is mandatory for all infantry officers to pass the Commando Training Course.
These units are equipped with the Tavor TAR-21, INSAS or a version of the AK-47 as their primary assault rifle.
The marksmen are equipped with the Dragunov SVD rifle and Heckler & Koch MSG-90 sniper rifles. They wear standard issue camouflage and body armour.
Depending on the mission, they may carry other items like ropes, climbing gear, grenades, rocket launchers, laser target designators and night vision equipment.
Some of the equipment for the special forces are manufactured indigenously by the Indian Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance Factories Board, Ministry of Defence, Government of India while other items are obtained from foreign suppliers.
Currently, the Indian Army is upgrading the equipment of these units by procuring lighter body armour, personal communication sets, anti-materiel rifles and various other mission specific equipment.
A deal worth $ 5.75 million was signed with M/S B&T Switzerland for the acquisition of 1,568 advanced sub-machine guns for the Ghatak platoons of infantry battalions.
Additionally, door breaching ammunition and non-lethal systems like stun grenades and ballistic shields are being procured for counter-insurgency operations.
