One of the biggest differences between special forces and regular army units lies in the issue of supporting fire. When regular infantry units move into an area, they can receive a full range of supporting artillery fire and tank fire (as well as vital air support, and of course, logistical supplies).
Special forces, in contrast, often move stealthily, in isolation, far from their borders, and cannot benefit from supporting firepower from big artillery guns. They sometimes need to operate in built up areas, or open/forested regions, and must rely on themselves for all battlefield needs.
A recent story I did for Jane’s Defense Weekly is about the C-Lynx, a new light weight multiple rocket launcher, produced by Israel Military Industries (IMI). This kind of solution means special forces can be airlifted to distant areas, and bring with them jeeps equipped with rocket launchers. In other words, they can bring their own mobile and precise firepower to operations.
Armed with Accular-type GPS-guided rockets, the forces can hit targets up 35 kilometers away. It also means the forces can hit targets that are well beyond visual range.
This is a significant step up from the mortars that special forces have taken with them in the past.
It seems that guided rockets will play an increasingly important part in future combat capabilities.
Thanks, great article.