What combat capabilities will custom NPCs have in the future?

I'm creating a Tusken Raider melee squad and can't find any Tusken Melee Specialists for the squad. Will I be able to create Tusken Custom NPCs, equip them with weapons, and run around attacking with them?

At the moment, yes. However there is a possibility that they will not be able to simply because you could spawn yourself some NPCs wherever you are and get a combat ready squad instantly at your location.

Or perhaps you should take a trip to Tatooine and hire there?

It'll be a bit costly likely though, as it is homeworld to multiple races, but that's likely the way to go fro actual combat NPCs.

Ben, I would do that if I knew of any open to all training academies on Tatooine, but I don't.

Just out of curiosity... can a person create a Tusken Raider character now? Or do you simply role play one?

He's roleplaying as one.

To be exact, he's roleplaying a Jawa who was adopted into a Tusken Raider tribe (that's why he's shorter than the average Tusken)