The current implementation by far superior to what it used to be. It used to be that you got 2 paras with a random chance (you didn't have a choice of weapon). The chance to get a thompson squad was 25%, a lmg squad 25% and a zook squad 50%.
I do not doubt it indeed my friend, it's not about being better as implementation regarding upgrades, but more about being unable to specialize (for no apparent reason) your elite in cqb role.
The two anti infantry weapon equipments were inferior versions of the normal paras. You only got 1 lmg instead of 2 or 3 thompsons instead of 4.
I also remember upgrading such 3 smg para with 2 bar
But yes, like i said, it's about denying options.
The only reason i can see now is...Airborne company needing to keep something more to not be useless.