I don't think you test this unit correctly
Looking at his counterparts situation looks like this:
At vet0 they looses vs sturmpio squad and pgrens, barely vs assualt grens
at vet3 depends on scenario they can win or loose vs pgrens and easily win vs sturmpio
They definitely not bulling any CQC squad from OKW or Ostheer. Plus you can have only 1 of them on the field. It has a decent vet bonuses with cool abilities but that's it.
And argument that comes earlier than pgrens maybe a fact but we talking about 1 min or so. That only inpacts ostheer but if so unit can have increase build time or could be put behind sidetech.
I wouldn't be suprise if they more some vet bonuses to vet0 to make unit better at start.
Plus, unit can't cammo so it cannot be compare to commando squad. Options to ambush axis infantry then depends more on a skill of a player.
Creating powerful early units is bad from design point of view since the whole game can be based on how that unit perform in the first 3-4 minutes.
In addition by lowering the power level one can make available earlier and add the utility of being good vs garrison one of the main problem UKF have.
In addition the current implementation makes commandos less desirable and overlapping among 2 commanders.
In the end of the day the can stat with a weaker version of the units allowing room for both commandos and if the unit proves to weak buff it after wards.
Pls provides tests results vs Assault grenadier and ST, last time I checked it did not loose.