| will there be options to upgrade infantry type units |
Ground troops are not specifically "upgraded" as such, but when you invade a planet, there are various types of warfare that you choose from that offer different combat bonuses (varying in terms of the size of the combat bonus, the cost of using the type, and the damage it may do to the planet's buildings/population). In order to use any of these different warfare styles, of course, you need to have researched appropriate technologies.
| is there an option to make an individual unit into something akin to a commander to help lead other troops with exceptional abilities? |
Ships that win battles do gain in experience, which increases their hit points, and certain modules added to Starbases can increase the combat abilities of ships in the vicinity, but so far as I know there's no way to upgrade a particular ship to provide similiar bonuses, no.
- Ash
