British SAS
The Special Air Service is the British Army’s special forces unit that was founded in 1950. They specialize in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, covert reconnaissance, and hostage rescue. Just 15%-20% of candidates make it through the initial selection. In a group of 200, less than 30 will make it.
British SAS
Israeli Shayetet 13
Shayetet 13 is an elite unit of the Israeli Navy and the main reconnaissance units of the Israel Defense Forces. Shayetet 13’s main specializations include sea to land recursions, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and maritime hostage rescue. Those who volunteer to Shayetet 13 agree to four and a half years of commitment, which is an extra year and a half in addition to the mandatory 3 year conscription that Israeli men face.
Israeli Shayetet 13
Pakistan Special Service Group
The Pakistan Army Special Service Group, also known as the SSG, are sometimes called the Maroon Berets. They execute reconnaissance, direct action, counter-terrorism operations, unconventional warfare, and foreign internal defense.
Pakistan Special Service Group
Austrian Jagdkommando
The Jagdkommando is the special forces unit of the Austrian Armed Forces. Their main focus on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism. The name of the unit originated from World War I, when small groups of the Austrian K.u.K Army were called a name that translates to “manhunt command.”
Austrian Jagdkommando
Taiwanese Armed Forces
The Taiwanese Armed Forces, also called the Republic of China Armed Forces, includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Military Police Force. In the 1970’s, the forces main goal was to take mainland China from communist People’s Republic of China through what they called Project National Glory.
Taiwanese Armed Forces
National Police of Peru
The National Police of Peru is a part of the Peruvian Armed Forces, though it is technically part of a different organization however it dedicates its members to anti-terrorism efforts and have military-like characteristics. That’s why it is often seen as a fourth military service. It has about 140,000 members with land, sea, and air capabilities.
National Police of Peru
Canadian Joint Task Force 2
Joint Task Force 2 is the elite special operations force of the Canadian Armed Forces, working under the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. They work alongside many other special units like Seal Team Six, Delta Force, and British SAS. It is considered to be a highly secretive world class special ops unit.
Canadian Joint Task Force 2
US Delta Force
The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment, also known as Delta Force, or “The Unit,” is a special ops force of the US Army that focuses on counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, direct action, special reconnaissance, usually against high-value targets. Delta Force members are recruited mainly from the US Army Special Operation’s Command 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces.
US Delta Force
Danish Huntsmen Corps
The Jaeger Corps, also called the Huntsmen Corps, is the special operations force of the Danish Defence, which is a segment of the Special Operations Command (formerly part of the Royal Danish Army). It dates back all the way to 1785 when Denmark was facing threats from Prussia, Sweden, and Great Britain.
Danish Huntsmen Corps
Serbian Gendarmery
The Gendarmery is the national force of the Republic of Serbia which is under the authority of the Police Directorate of the Serbian ministry of Interior. It was created after the Special Police Units was disbanded. It consists of about 2800 members and serve both military and civilian duties. They also secure the Ground Safety Zone along the administrative line with Kosovo.
Serbian Gendarmery
Iraqi Special Operations Forces
The Iraqi Special Operations Forces is a special ops unit that dates back to 1950. The unit is directed by the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service and is comprised of the three Counter Terrorism Command brigades. The Ministry of Defence funds the Counter Terrorism Service.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces
US Army Special Forces Snipers
The US Army Special Forces snipers are some of the most skilled of the special ops groups, which is seriously intimidating. Many people got a look into what life is like as a sniper when Chris Kyle was portrayed by Bradley Cooper in American Sniper. Snipers go through language and culture courses so they can be flexible and work in many different locations.
US Army Special Forces Snipers
French Commandos Marine
The Commandos Marine are the French Navy’s Special Operation Forces, also called the Green Berets. They are under the Naval Riflemen and Special Operations Forces Command (FORFUSCO). They also make up the French Special Operations Command. This unit dates back to 1942 during WWII.
French Commandos Marine
Russian Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz is an abbreviation of the Russian name of Special Operations Forces or Special Purpose Military Units. Its main intelligence service is the Spetsnaz GRU this includes Ground Forces, Airborne Forces, Navy, Marines, and National Guard.
Russian Spetsnaz
Irish Army Ranger Wing
The Army Ranger Wing is the special ops force of the Irish Defence Forces, which is a branch of the Irish Army. It was created in 1980 in order to focus on counter terrorism. They have also served in peacekeeping operations abroad including in Liberia, Chad, Mali, Somalia, and East Timor.
Irish Army Ranger Wing
Indian MARCOS
The Marine Commandos, abbreviated to MARCOS is the special ops forces of the Indian Navy that was founded in 1987. They have land, sea, and air capabilities. They often are found at maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir, conducting counter-insurgency.
Indian MARCOS
French Special Operations Command
The Special Operations Command is the French special forces from all military branches including the Army, Air Force, and Navy. It was created in 1992 in the wake of the Gulf War. The COS is led by a rear admiral, a NATO OF-6 post or a brigadier general.
French Special Operations Command
US Navy SEALs
The US Navy SEALs are the Navy’s primary special ops force and are a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command. The SEALS conduct missions in jungle, maritime, arctic, mountainous, urban, and desert environments. Often SEALs are tasked with eliminating or capturing high level targets, many times behind enemy lines.
US Navy Seals
Turkish Special Forces Command
The Turkish Special Forces Command is a brigade under the Turkish General Staff. They use marroon berets, so are often referred to as such. The OKK typically carry out special operations missions that require extra capabilities of the other military units.
Turkish Special Forces Command
Australian SASR
The 2nd Commando Regiment is the Australian Army’s special forces unit that’s under the Special Operations Command. It was created in 2009 and trains with the Special Air Service Regiment. They have been involved in operations abroad including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Timor.
Australian SASR
Russian FSB
The Federal Security Service is the main security agency of Russia and is the main successor to the Soviet Union’s KGB. It conducts counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, internal and border security, and also surveillance. It is headquartered in Lubyanka Square, Moscow, where the KGB used to be.
Russia FSB
Israel’s “Mistaravim” – Duvdevan
The Mistaravim counter-terrorism unit of the Israeli Defense Forces, Israel Police, and the Israel Border Police are undercover operatives. They are trained to assimilate with the local Arab population in order to gather intelligence, rescue hostages, law enforcement purposes, and use disguise and surprise.
Israel’s “Mistaravim” – Duvdevan
Poland’s JW GROM
The JW GROM is the premier special missions unit in Poland. It was created to be modelled after NATO’s tier one special operations units like US Navy SEALs Team Six, Delta Force, British SAS, and Canadian JTF2.
Poland’s JW GROM
South Africa’s Special Task Force
The Special Task Force (STF) is the elite police tactical unit that’s under the South African Police Service. STF deals with high risk operations that fall outside of typical policing, often requiring specialized skills.
South Africa’s Special Task Force
Estonian Special Operations Forces (ESTSOF)
The Estonian Special Operations Forces is the special ops of the Estonian Defence Forces that focus on unconventional warfare including reconnaissance, surveillance, military support, and direct action. The unit comes under the Commender of the Estonian Defence Forces.
Estonian Special Operations Forces (ESTSOF)
Brazilian Special Operations Command
The Brazilian Special Operations Command is the special ops force of the Brazilian Army Commands that is connected to the Terrestrial Operations Command. Their motto is: “any mission, in any place, at any time, by every way.”
Brazilian Special Operations Command
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS)
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS) is the special ops of the Italian Carabinieri, which is a branch of the Armed Forces in charge of both civil and military policing. The unit became a part of the Commando Inerforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali and conducts counter-terrorism and executive and dignitary security.
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS)
South Korea’s White Tigers
The United Nations Partisan Infantry Korea (UNPIK), also called the White Tigers, was an unit during the Korean War that was a part of the Eighth United States Army and Korea’s 8th Army G-3 Miscellaneous Group. The unit primarily worked inside North Korea to gather intelligence, rescue prisoners of war, conduct raids and sabotage, and lead guerrilla armies into enemy territory.
South Korea’s White Tigers
Netherland’s Korps Commandotroepen
The Korps Commandotroepen is the special operatives unit of the Royal Netherlands Army. It focuses on special reconnaissance, direct action, counter-terrorism, and military assistance. It is under the Netherlands Special Operations Command. It can be traced back to the Second World War.
Netherland’s Korps Commandotroepen
Belgian Special Forces Group
The Belgian Special Forces Group is the special ops unit of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Anyone who wants to join must already have a minimum of 3 years military experience. They have ground, air, and amphibious capabilities.
Belgian Special Forces Group
Italy’s 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment
Also known as il nono or Col Moschin, the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment is a special ops unit in the Italian Army. It is about the same size and quality of the British Army SAS. It has capabilities to embark on missions in wooded, desert, mountainous, and amphibious terrains.
Italy’s 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment
Austria’s EKO Cobra
EKO Cobra is the police tactical unit of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. Anyone who wants to join must go through psychological tests, medical exams, and rigorous physical tests. Following that is a 6 months specialized training regimen where recruits work on hand to hand combat, tactical training, marksmanship, language classes, and more.
Austria’s EKO Cobra
Germany’s Border Protection Group 9
GSG 9 der Bundespolizei, which translates to Border Protection Group 9, is the police tactical unit of the German Federal Police whose identities are kept classified. Following the tragedy of the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, attempted rescues failed, and so this unit was established.
Germany’s Border Protection Group 9
France’s GIGN
The National Gendarmerie Intervention Group is the elite police tactical unit of the French National Gendarmerie that focuses on hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, protecting government officials, surveillance of national threats, and targeting organized crime.
France’s GIGN
Israel’s Sayeret Matkal
Sayeret Matkal is the special reconnaissance of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Force. It is mainly a field intelligence gathering unit that focuses on deep reconnaissance and also counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. The unit is modeled after the SAS and even uses the “Who Dares, Wins” motto.
Israel’s Sayeret Matkal
China’s Snow Leopard Commando Unit
The Snow Leopard Commando Unit is the police tactical unit of the People’s Armed Police in China. It deals with counter-terrorism, riot control, bomb disposal, and anti-hijacking. This unit was tasked with the security of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
China’s Snow Leopard Commando Unit
United Kingdom’s Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special ops unit of the Royal Navy. It can be traced back to WWII, being formed in 1940. It is the maritime special forces of the United Kingdom Special Forces. It is considered to be the sister unit of the British Army 22nd Special Air Service Regiment.
The United Kingdom’s Special Boat Service
Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial
Spain’s Special Naval Warfare Force it the special ops unit of the Spanish Navy that was created in June 2009 after the Special Operations Unit of the Spanish Navy Marines merged with the Special Combat Divers Unit (UEBC) of the Navy Diving Center.
Spain’s Special Naval Warfare Force
Unit Egoz
Unit Egoz is an Israel Defense Force unit that specializes in guerrilla warfare, direct military action, and special reconnaissance. It’s part of the IDF Central Command’s 89th Brigade. Recruits go through basic and advanced training with the Golani Brigade, then 2 weeks of Airborne School, and 10 months of advanced Commando brigade training.
Unit Egoz
Alpha Group
Spetsgruppa “A” or the Alpha Group is the standalone sub unit of the Russian special forces that is dedicated to counter-terrorism and is a part of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). It was originally created in 1974 in Soviet KGB. The unit focuses on extended police duties, covert operations, and paramilitary operations.
Alpha Group