Machine Guns are utilized by Special Forces Teams as a potent support weapon to lay down suppressive fire. They are capable of delivering more firepower than Assault Rifles or Carbines at a farther range and are the ultimate weapon of devastation capable of taking down multiple targets at once.
Indian Special Forces to utilize a wide range of Machine Guns imported from Israel, Romania, Bulgaria, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. They are :
It is mostly used by Para SF and SFF in India and carries a repute for its reliability, ruggedness and weight. Its Tsarist-era 7.62x54mmR round makes it an excellent killing machine. Being lightweight at 9–10 kgs it is an excellent Machine Gun to serve as Squad Automatic Weapon in Long Range Patrols.
Most of the Pikas used by Para SF is actually captured from terrorists in Kashmir who uses a Chinese variant named Type 80 LMG which takes features from both PK and PKM. Para SF also uses a Romanian variant of PK and scavenged Russian PK/PKM from retired tanks. Its non-disintegrating belt is an impediment in tactical roles and its rate of fire is slower than FN MAG. The field stripping and barrel change is quite easy. SFF utilizes a Bulgarian variant of Pika.
Para SF utilizes MAG 2A1 Machine Guns on their Light Strike Vehicles and as an LMG. Its high rate of fire, good reliability, excellent accuracy and powerful 7.62mm NATO round makes it an excellent Machine Gun. Though its weight at ~12 kgs is a disadvantage, it has a softer recoil compared to Pika and can mount optics as well. It is also utilized by MARCOS as a Medium Machine Gun on their Fast Attack Boats.
Indian Special Forces to utilize a wide range of Machine Guns imported from Israel, Romania, Bulgaria, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. They are :
A. Pika General Purpose Machine Gun
It is mostly used by Para SF and SFF in India and carries a repute for its reliability, ruggedness and weight. Its Tsarist-era 7.62x54mmR round makes it an excellent killing machine. Being lightweight at 9–10 kgs it is an excellent Machine Gun to serve as Squad Automatic Weapon in Long Range Patrols.
Most of the Pikas used by Para SF is actually captured from terrorists in Kashmir who uses a Chinese variant named Type 80 LMG which takes features from both PK and PKM. Para SF also uses a Romanian variant of PK and scavenged Russian PK/PKM from retired tanks. Its non-disintegrating belt is an impediment in tactical roles and its rate of fire is slower than FN MAG. The field stripping and barrel change is quite easy. SFF utilizes a Bulgarian variant of Pika.
B. Negev Light Machine Gun
Negev LMG serves as the primary Squad Automatic Weapon in MARCOS, Garuds, Special Group, NSG and SFF. It has served as an excellent LMG given its ergonomics, freedom to attach different accessories, reliability and high rate of fire.C. 1B Light Machine Guns
1B LMG has served Indian Special Forces units for well over few decades as a Squad Automatic Weapon due to its excellent reliability and hitting power. Utilized by Para SF, MARCOS, SG, NSG, it was gradually replaced though it is still used as a sentry weapon and for training purposes.D. FN MAG variants
Para SF utilizes MAG 2A1 Machine Guns on their Light Strike Vehicles and as an LMG. Its high rate of fire, good reliability, excellent accuracy and powerful 7.62mm NATO round makes it an excellent Machine Gun. Though its weight at ~12 kgs is a disadvantage, it has a softer recoil compared to Pika and can mount optics as well. It is also utilized by MARCOS as a Medium Machine Gun on their Fast Attack Boats.
