Top Ten Special Operations Forces in the World

[Indischer]

In Afghanistan.

I couldn't find any article which stated that EKO Cobra was part of ISAF. Any sources in this regard would be nice.

 

[Kompromat]

I couldn't find any article which stated that EKO Cobra was part of ISAF. Any sources in this regard would be nice.

SOF units are always embedded with any deployed force in ISAF. I'll link you up if i found some internet based material on this.

 

[Last Hope]

I will never compare any special forces group amongst them and provide ranking. They are all having much more than what meets the eye, making it illogical to provide fair in-depth comparisons. Only a fool would publish their peak performance and capabilities. Such example is of Red Flag, every air force comes to learn others' tactics and not give away their owns. The winner is not who ranks the first but the one who fails, for he has not given any worth of his yet learnt all others' tactics.

 

[madmusti]

@Umair Nawaz


putting an Police Special Team the GSG-9 in to your Top 10 Ranks instead of KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte

shows only your .... !

 

[rockstar08]

depends on experience Pak SSG can be in top 5

 

[Black Eagle 90]

TOP-10 Special Operations Forces in the World.


Countries throughout the world train special operation forces within their military, so coming up with a list of top special operations forces in the world is difficult at best. All special ops forces train their military men to be the best of the best, to take the impossible task and make it possible. In that respect, all Special Operations units are top. While the list below may not be everyone’s top ten, some of those listed would certainly be a part of any top ten lists.​

10. Spetsnaz – Russia

What sets the Russian Spetsnaz apart from other specially trained special ops units around the world is their daily exposure to physical punishment. The purpose for this portion of their training is to teach them to endure physical pain and to work the mind to “enjoy” it since it is impossible to ignore it. They are permitted to leave the training anytime they desire. Their missions generally involve reconnaissance and close quarter combat. Many of the bodyguards chosen for the high-tanking political figures of Russia are chosen from the Spetsnaz.



9. Special Service Group (SSG) – Pakistan

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This Pakistan Special Service Group (SSG) is also known as “Black Storks” a name derived from their unique headgear the “Maroon Beret”. The SSG has ten specific missions for which they are trained:

• Asymmetric Warfare
• Special Operations
• Counter-Proliferation
• Unconventional Warfare
• Foreign Internal Defense
• Special Reconnaissance
• Direct Action
• Hostage Rescue
• Counter-Terrorist
• Personnel Recovery

This elite group from Pakistan is somewhat similar to the US Army’s Green Berets and the British Army’s SAS. They often conduct exercise missions with Special Forces from other countries such as China and the UK.



8. Eko Cobra – Austria

This special ops tactical unit is involved mainly in counter-terrorism. The group retains a low profile, despite their high-speed involvement in the war on terror. In Europe, they are known for their competitive edge over other countries at S.W.A.T. and other competitions throughout Europe. Though their covert missions are carried without with little or no media, they are still considered by many as one of the best trained counter-terrorist units in the world.





7. Army Special Forces Brigade – France

This French Special Ops group has one of the most rigorous qualification training programs in the world. This group is subdivided into three specially trained areas:

• 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marin which is based in Bayonne.
• 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes based in Martignas-sur-Jalle.
• 4e Régiment d’Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales, the unit based in Pau.

6. GROM – Poland

Activated in July of 1980 in response to terrorist threats, GROM is one of five Special Ops units in Poland. They are trained to respond to a variety of threats and unconventional warfare roles. Their existence was not even acknowledged by the Poland until 1994. Within five years, the group converted to a special military formation in compliance with NATO standards. They are revered among the newest members of NATO as the best commando unit.



5. Grenzschutzgruppe 9 GSG9 – Germany

The GSG9 is a special operations unit of the German Federal Police, specializing in counter-terrorism. The group was formed after the failed attempt of the German Police to successfully free 11 Israeli athletes who were kidnapped in Munich in 1972 during the Summer Olympic Games. They recognized, as a result, that their forces were not properly trained or equipped to handle such situations. They have since been trained in deployed in situations when hostages are taken, kidnapping is involved or in cases of terrorism or extortion.



4. Shayetet 13 – Israel

This Special Ops group shares the Israeli Army motto: “Never Again”, referring to the Holocaust. Though they are one of three special units, the Shayetet 13 bears the closest resemblance to the US Army’s Delta Force. They are specially trained for rescuing hostages and in counter-terrorism. Though they remain an extremely secretive group, the most public noted mission was Operation Spring of Youth. During this operation, the Shayetet 13 went into Beirut Lebanon where they hunted down and killed all the terrorists involved in the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes.



3. Army Delta Force – United States

The US Army’s Delta Force is the only official US counter-terrorism unit focused on hostage rescues, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism. To be selected for this specialty force team, an individual must undergo a rigid physical test that begins with sit ups and push-ups and a 3 mile run – all to be completed within an undisclosed time frame. Next, the each prospective member must complete an 18-mile hike over rugged, mountainous terrain carrying a 35 lb backpack and compass, but no a map. This physically grueling entrance test does not end there. Another 45-mile hike is then required, this time with a 45 lb backpack and an even shorter time limit. Afterwards, each individual must further undergo a number of mental exams where examiners attempt to confuse and thus break the individual. Once the above requirements are successfully completed, the recruit is then permitted to enter into the actual 6 month training program for the Delta Force.



2. Navy SEAL Team 6 – DEVGRU – United States

The first commanding officer of SEAL Team 6 was Dick Marcinko – a US Navy representative for the Joint Chiefs of Staff task force Terrorist Action Team. The team was created in October of 1980 after a failed attempt in 1979 to rescue American hostages being held in Iran. As a result, the US Navy recognized the imminent need for a specially trained counter terrorist team. SEAL Team 6 (or currently DEVGRU – Naval Special Warfare Development Group) consists of four line squadrons – Red, Blue, Gold and Silver. The men within these units are the elite of the elite of special op forces and are trained on Sea, air and land, making them a well-rounded, highly trained group of individuals.



1. Special Air Service (SAS) – United Kingdom

The British SAS follow the sea, air and land training of the SEALs; however their training in counter-espionage is more in-depth and complex than the SEALs. Both the SAS and SEALs receive comparable training as they sometimes work closely. They are trained in numerous fighting techniques and remain the primary model in which most national commando units are based.

The above Special Ops Forces list may not be a conclusive top list for everyone. Given the number of excellently trained units around the world, they all maintain the highest integrity and require their team members to constantly challenge themselves under some of the most extreme grueling circumstances experienced by man. They must always be ready for the worst of the worst, but who better to be ready than the best of the best. The ten Special Ops units above have certainly proved themselves time and again and therefore have earned them a spot on this particular list of the top ten Special Operations Forces in the world.




Source | Top Ten Special Operations Forces in the World | The Armed Forces Military Museum

Pakistan should be doing Joint Exercise with all of the force other than Israel.

 

[Zarvan]

If its about combat experience than we should be number among top 5 man we are always too busy

 

[Sage]

The whole list is helter skelter ...whoever has made it, surely knows not how to grade a special force ...and wtf this Cobra is doing there ....All I know about them is that they petrol sometimes in Kabul and that's it ...SSG falls along side with US, RUSSIAN and Israeli special forces given the combat time and scenarios that they have seen ...even right now in Shawal area in Waziristan SSG snipers are busy hunting down the IMU bitches ...

 

[GHOST RIDER]

Is New Zealand SAS as good as its British counter parts ?

 

[GreenFalcon]

Long Live the SSG

 

[OCguy]

You can only go off of credible accounts and reports of recent operational performance.

The US is re-writing the book on modern warfare in respect to the use of special forces.

There are multiple tiers of SF units, and even tiers within tier-1. There are units using world-leading technology and tactics that are not even recognized by the USA, since they are so secretive (CIA SAD).

Having the training and structure is no measure of skill or success, but combining that with the experience that has been garnered is priceless. US Delta, Rangers, SEALs, Green Berets, and Recon Marines have been used heavily in the last 25 years, but even more specifically the last decade. At one point, teams were doing several raids per night in Iraq, along with their SF counterparts from allied countries.

The fruits of all of this were put on display during a few spectacular-but-true successful missions that hit the media in the last few years. Unfortunately some of that shine was lost when certain individuals, and the US government decided to exploit prominent operations and operators for personal gain.

Before getting out the flame-thrower, I must say that it is human nature to assume that by someone praising one SF, it means they are demeaning the rest of them. That by pointing out the skill in the SEAL sniper who was on a rocking vessel, and also aiming at a rocking target, is somehow suggesting that no other sniper in the world could have made the same shot. That certainly isn't what I think, but I understand the desire to have the home-team be recognized.

But the reason these list threads are generally useless, is because they make too many generalizations. No force is the "best" or "top" at every discipline.

Need a top-teir team that can confidently deploy in basically any environment? Maybe Kommando Spezialkräfte.

Need an extremely professional and intelligent team proficient in survival and foreign culture/equipment? The originals in the SAS would be at the top of the list.

Covert infiltration and target identification? Sayeret Shaldag has the reputation of being one of the best.

Training foreign forces abroad? Green Berets are experts.

Domestic hostage rescue? SSG has extensive experience, and

Underwater demolition/diving and water-based tactics? That is what the SEALs specifically train for.

This could go on and on, but the points to this long story are that one size does not fit all, and it isn't putting other units down to put others ahead based on the scarce facts we have on SF operations globally. But if someone tries to convince you that they would want the same team to both kick in a door on a helo-launched night raid, and conduct counter-sabotage operations? They are most likely just home-teamers. (Personally I'd want Delta for the doors and Spetsznaz

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

You can only go off of credible accounts and reports of recent operational performance.

The US is re-writing the book on modern warfare in respect to the use of special forces.

There are multiple tiers of SF units, and even tiers within tier-1. There are units using world-leading technology and tactics that are not even recognized by the USA, since they are so secretive (CIA SAD).

Having the training and structure is no measure of skill or success, but combining that with the experience that has been garnered is priceless. US Delta, Rangers, SEALs, Green Berets, and Recon Marines have been used heavily in the last 25 years, but even more specifically the last decade. At one point, teams were doing several raids per night in Iraq, along with their SF counterparts from allied countries.

The fruits of all of this were put on display during a few spectacular-but-true successful missions that hit the media in the last few years. Unfortunately some of that shine was lost when certain individuals, and the US government decided to exploit prominent operations and operators for personal gain.

Before getting out the flame-thrower, I must say that it is human nature to assume that by someone praising one SF, it means they are demeaning the rest of them. That by pointing out the skill in the SEAL sniper who was on a rocking vessel, and also aiming at a rocking target, is somehow suggesting that no other sniper in the world could have made the same shot. That certainly isn't what I think, but I understand the desire to have the home-team be recognized.

But the reason these list threads are generally useless, is because they make too many generalizations. No force is the "best" or "top" at every discipline.

Need a top-teir team that can confidently deploy in basically any environment? Maybe Kommando Spezialkräfte.

Need an extremely professional and intelligent team proficient in survival and foreign culture/equipment? The originals in the SAS would be at the top of the list.

Covert infiltration and target identification? Sayeret Shaldag has the reputation of being one of the best.

Training foreign forces abroad? Green Berets are experts.

Domestic hostage rescue? SSG has extensive experience, and

Underwater demolition/diving and water-based tactics? That is what the SEALs specifically train for.

This could go on and on, but the points to this long story are that one size does not fit all, and it isn't putting other units down to put others ahead based on the scarce facts we have on SF operations globally. But if someone tries to convince you that they would want the same team to both kick in a door on a helo-launched night raid, and conduct counter-sabotage operations? They are most likely just home-teamers. (Personally I'd want Delta for the doors and Spetsznaz

SSG,SSN,SSW are different ... SSG=Army,SSN=Navy,SSW=Airforce.

Engagements:

Wars with india.
Afghanistan against USSR- COLD WAR
Bosnia
Africa
WOT
Middleast
Srilanka against LTTE

These are the egagements we know off..

 

[Zarvan]

Have to disagree.

SEAL 6 is not as good as second spot. Aussies SASR is better than the original SAS. and why there are no philippine SAR(A) in it, they are best in many ways regardless of training, equipment and they are constantly at operation

If Operations are one criteria than Pakistani SSG should be in top 3 Lady the issue equipment used by British and USA gives them a really big boost

 

[Koovie]

This ranking is utter garbage!

The mere fact that they put police units together with military SOF makes laugh

 

[haman10]

the list is an insult to the knowledge and literacy of ppl

This ranking is utter garbage!

The mere fact that they put police units together with military SOF makes laugh