The army will also be equipped with carbines designed for close-quarter battles and the latest anti-tank weapons, in a move that analysts say will significantly strengthen the country’s border security and defence sector.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, director general in the Indian army, said the first light commando battalion, or the “Bhairav battalion”, would be deployed on November 1. A total of 25 such battalions are expected to be raised in the next six months.
“Designed to be lean and lethal, these battalions are built for rapid, high-impact operations along India’s borders with China and Pakistan,” said Kumar, who was speaking ahead of Infantry Day on Monday.
Each battalion will comprise 250 personnel from the different arms, including infantry, artillery, signals and air defence.
As part of the plan to transform the army’s combat capabilities along the border areas, India has signed a US$332 million deal with two companies to supply 425,000 modern carbines, replacing its decades-old submachine guns.
