Marcos, the elite commando unit of the Indian Navy, today got a new exclusive base for itself at Bheemunipatanam in Andhra Pradesh.
Marine Commandos Unit was commissioned as 'INS Karna' by Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in a ceremony held at the Naval Base at Bheemunipatanam, near Vishakapatnam.
The Marine Commando Force (MCF), also called as 'MARCOS', was raised in February 1987 as the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF), capable of operating in all three dimensions, at sea, in air and on land.
Conveying his best wishes to the newly commissioned unit, Lanba said Marcos have established themselves as special operations force of international repute in a short span and have won well deserved gallantry awards for their acts of courage and valour.
He added that the Marcos proved their excellence wherever they have been deployed in operations. Over the years, the Special Force has conducted numerous independent missions of direct action, reconnaissance and surveillance, and recovery operations.
Lanba emphasised the need to for all marine commandos to keep their "steel sharp and powder dry" as they would be the first into the battle and the need to be 'mission ready and a winner' always.
As the roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy have expanded in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, special operations force would be required to be deployed in future combat at the strategic and operational level, he said.
The commissioning of INS Karna, has added a new base to the Special Forces of the Indian Navy as they deploy to safeguard our nation's vast maritime interests.
