Ranked as the 7th largest country in the world and flanked by a few difficult neighbours, it is definitely a Herculean task to safeguard a country like India and thus it has the world’s 3rd largest defense budget of Rs 4,00,000 crores and with that come some of the finest equipments and troops! The budget increases by about 9% every year. We know very well how to protect ourselves from terrorists and insurgent attacks. And among all the regiments and divisions of the Indian army, there is “Para Special Forces”. They are part of the highly-trained Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army and are the largest part of the Special Forces of India. They are also among the oldest airborne units in the world.
Paratroopers have a total of 14 Battalions in which 9 battalions are Special Forces and 5 battalions are Para Airborne Units. Every SF has specific roles and unique training to operate under specified adverse conditions. People often confuse paratroopers with Para SF.
Parachute Regiment is divided into two units:
- Paratroopers: This category has the soldiers that are trained for airborne missions. They have to perform operations by invading into the enemy’s territory. Most of the time, this is done through airborne technique. The soldiers act as an infantry after jumping off through an aircraft with the help of a parachute. Paratroopers are the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions of Parachute Regiment. The soldiers in these Battalions are often confused with the Special Forces due to their Maroon Beret.
- Para Special Forces: Para Special Forces Battalions are formed by combining nine individually specialized units. The units which are part of the Special Forces are:
- 1 Para SF
- 2 Para SF
- 3 Para SF
- 4 Para Sf
- 9 Para SF
- 10 Para SF
- 11 Para SF
- 12 Para SF
- 21 Para SF
Para SF Units and their roles
1 Para SF – Red Devils
It is the oldest unit of the Parachute Regiment, Indian Army. The unit was raised in 1761 and was converted into SF in 1978. The unit is specialized in Urban Warfare and tactical needs. They are known for Operation Blue Star
2 Para SF – Predators
The unit was raised in 1797 as 3rd battalion of Maratha Light Infantry and was converted to SF in 2000. The unit is specialized in Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations.
They had conducted the rescue operation during Operation Khukri
3 Para SF – Russel’s Viper
The unit was raised in 1813 as 1st battalion of Kumaon regiment and was converted to SF in 2002. The unit is specialized in Desert Warfare.
4 Para SF – Daggers
The unit was raised in 1961 as Para Airborne unit and was converted to SF in 2003. The unit is specialized in Mountain Warfare and Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism operations. The unit also actively took part in Surgical Strikes in 2016.
9 Para SF – Pirates
The unit was raised in 1966 as 9th Parachute Commando Battalion and now it is known as 9 Para SF. The unit is specialized in Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations. The unit also actively took part in Surgical Strikes along with 4 Para SF in 2016.
10 Para SF – Desert Scorpions
The unit was raised in 1967 as 10th Parachute Commando Battalion as sister unit of 9 Para SF. The unit is specialized in Desert Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations. They are known for Chachro Raid during the ’71 war
11 Para SF – Vipers
The unit was raised in 2011 as a new Special Forces unit. The unit is specialized in Jungle Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations.
12 Para SF – Dirty Dozens
The unit was raised in 2011 from 23rd Battalion Rajputana Rifles as was designated as Special Forces unit. Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations.
21 Para SF – Waghnaks
The unit was raised in 1985 as 21st Battalion of Maratha Light Infantry and was converted to SF in 1996. The unit is specialized in Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations. They are known for the 2015 Counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar.
| NAME OF THE BATTALION | YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT/ CONVERSION | ROLE | NICKNAME |
| 1 PARA SF | 1761/1978 | Urban Warfare | Red Devils |
| 2 PARA SF | 1797/2000 | Mountain Warfare, Counter Insurgency | Predators |
| 3 PARA SF | 1813/2002 | Desert Warfare | Russel’s Viper |
| 4 PARA SF | 1961/2003 | Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency | Daggers |
| 9 PARA SF | 1966 | Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency | Pirates |
| 10 PARA SF | 1967 | Desert Warfare, Counter Insurgency | Desert Scorpions |
| 11 PARA SF | 2011 | Jungle Warfare | Vipers |
| 12 PARA SF | 2011 | Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operations | Dirty Dozens |
| 21 PARA SF | 1985/1996 | Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operations | Waghnaks |
The Airborne Units are 5 para, 6 para, 7 para, 23 para, and 29 para. These forces are trained in airborne assault, raids on artillery positions, anti-hijacking operations, and other missions. The parachute regiment consists of two territorial army battalions, 106 Para and 116 Para.
Apart from these Para units, there other Airborne Units of other Corps and Services under the 50th Independent Parachute Brigade.
9 & 17 Parachute Field Regiments
60 Para Field Hospital
411 Para Field Company – Engineers
622 ASC Parachute Composite Company
Para Brigade Ordnance and Singal Company
2 Para Field EME Workshop
252 Para Air Defense Battery
Indian Defence 