This article presents a clear and organized list of special forces and elite military and law enforcement agencies from around the globe—including the USA, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Israel, and various Asian countries. By examining the diverse structures, missions, and historical backgrounds of each nation’s special operations, counter-terrorism, and rescue units, readers can gain a multifaceted understanding of modern security challenges and global military dynamics.

World Special Forces List

United States of America

United States Armed Forces

Joint Forces

• United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
  • Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
    • U.S. Army
      • 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D, also known as Delta Force)
      • Intelligence Support Activity (ISA)
      • Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC) (part of the 75th Ranger Regiment)
      • Aviation Technology Office (ATO)
    • U.S. Navy
      • Navy SEALs Development Group (DEVGRU, also known as SEAL Team Six)
    • U.S. Air Force
      • 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24th STS)
      • 66th Air Operations Squadron (66th AOS)
      • 427th Special Operations Squadron (427th SOS)
      • Aviation Tactics Evaluation Group (AVTEG)
  • U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
    • 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) (1st SFC (A))
      • U.S. Army Special Forces Groups (Green Berets)
        • 1st Special Forces Group
        • 3rd Special Forces Group
        • 5th Special Forces Group
        • 7th Special Forces Group
        • 10th Special Forces Group
        • 19th Special Forces Group (Utah Army National Guard)
        • 20th Special Forces Group (Alabama Army National Guard)
    • Psychological Operations Groups
      • 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne)
      • 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne)
    • 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne)
    • 528th Sustainment Brigade
      • 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne)
      • 389th Military Intelligence Battalion (Airborne)
  • 75th Ranger Regiment
  • U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (ARSOAC)
    • 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers)
    • Army Special Operations Command Flight Company
  • John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS)
• U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
  • Navy SEAL Group One (Navy SEALs)
    • SEAL Team 1
    • SEAL Team 3
    • SEAL Team 5
    • SEAL Team 7
  • Navy SEAL Group Two (Navy SEALs)
    • SEAL Team 2
    • SEAL Team 4
    • SEAL Team 8
    • SEAL Team 10
  • Navy SEAL Group Three
    • SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1
    • SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2
  • Navy SEAL Group Four
    • Special Boat Team 12
    • Special Boat Team 20
    • Special Boat Team 22
  • Navy SEAL Group Ten
    • NSW Support Activity One
    • NSW Support Activity Two
    • Mission Support Center
  • Navy SEAL Group Eleven
    • SEAL Team 17 (Reserve)
    • SEAL Team 18 (Reserve)
• U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
  • 1st Special Operations Wing
  • 24th Special Operations Wing
  • 27th Special Operations Wing
  • 193rd Special Operations Wing (Pennsylvania Air National Guard)
  • 919th Special Operations Wing (Reserve)
  • 352nd Special Operations Wing
  • 353rd Special Operations Wing
  • United States Air Force Special Operations School (USAFSOS)
• U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)
  • Marine Raider Regiment
  • Marine Special Operations Support Group
  • Marine Special Operations Training Group

U.S. Marine Corps

• Force Reconnaissance – United States Marine Corps Force Recon

Department of Homeland Security

• United States Coast Guard (USCG)
  • Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF)
    • Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST)
    • Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT)
• United States Secret Service (USSS)
  • Emergency Response Team (ERT)
  • Counter Assault Team (CAT)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Special Response Team (SRT)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Border Patrol Tactical Unit

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

• Special Activities Center (SAC)
  • Special Operations Group (SOG)
  • Political Action Group (PAG)

Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

• Hostage Rescue Team (HRT)
• FBI SWAT

United States Marshals Service (USMS)

• Special Operations Group (SOG)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

• Foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Teams (FAST)

Law Enforcement Agencies

• Police
  • SWAT – Special Weapons And Tactics
• Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) (operates under the Department of Defense, directly subordinate to the Chief of Naval Operations)
  • Regional Enforcement Action Capabilities Team (REACT)

Department of Energy

National Nuclear Security Administration

• Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST)

United Kingdom

British Army

• Special Forces Group
  • 22nd SAS Regiment
  • 21st SAS Regiment (Territorial Army)
  • 23rd SAS Regiment (Territorial Army)
  • 63rd SAS Signals Squadron (Territorial Army)
• 1 PARA (1st Parachute Battalion)
• Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
• Ranger Regiment

Royal Navy

Royal Marines

• Special Boat Service (SBS) – Royal Marine Special Boat Service
• Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines
• Comacchio Group (historical unit)

Police

• SCO19 – Specialist Firearms Command, part of the Metropolitan Police Service

Secret Intelligence Service

• E Squadron (formerly known as Increment) – E Squadron

 

Australia

Australian Army

Special Operations Command – SOCOMD

• Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) – Tactical Assault Group (West): TAG(W)
• 2nd Commando Regiment (2CDO) – Tactical Assault Group (East): TAG(E)
• 1st Commando Regiment (Reserve) – 1CDO
• 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) (disbanded; reorganized into the 2nd Commando Regiment)
• Special Operations Engineer Regiment (SOER)
• Special Operations Logistic Regiment (SOLS) (non-combat unit)

Royal Australian Navy

• Clearance Diving Team 1 (CDT1)
• Clearance Diving Team 4 (CDT4)

Royal Australian Air Force

• Combat Controller Team (CCT) – 4th Flight Air Control Personnel

Police

Australian Federal Police

• Specialist Response Group (SRG)

NSW Police

• Tactical Operations Unit (TOU)

Northern Territory Police

• Territory Response Group (TRG)

QLD Police

• Special Emergency Response Team (SERT)

South Australia Police

• Special Tasks and Rescue Group (STRG)

Tasmania Police

• Special Operations Group (SOG)

VIC Police

• Special Operations Group (SOG)

Western Australia Police

• Tactical Response Group (TRG)

New Zealand

New Zealand Army

• 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group – 1st NZSASGp

Police

• Special Tactics Group (STG)
• Armed Offenders Squad

Canada

Canadian Forces

• Joint Task Force TWO (JTF-2)

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• RCMP Emergency Response Team (RCMP-ERT)

France

French Armed Forces

• Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (Special Operations Command)
  • French Army Special Operations Brigade
    • 1er RPIMa (1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment)
    • 13e RDP (13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment)
  • Naval Commandos
    • Commando Jaubert
    • Commando Trepel
    • Commando de Penfentenyo
    • Commando de Monfort
    • Commando Hubert
  • Air Force CPA10 – 10th Special Aviation Wing

Army

• 11th Parachute Brigade – GCP/CRAP (Airborne Commandos)

Foreign Legion

• 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment – GCP/CRAP
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment – Mountain Reconnaissance Unit (2REG URH)
• 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment – Special Underwater Operations Unit (1REG DINOPS)

Navy

• GCMC (Naval Close Combat Group)

Air Force

• CPA40 – 40th Special Rescue Aviation Wing

National Gendarmerie

• GIGN – National Gendarmerie Intervention Group
  • EPIGN – Airborne Intervention Squadron
  • GSPR – Presidential Security Group

National Police

• GIPN – National Police Intervention Group
• FIPN – National Police Intervention Task Force
  • RAID (colloquially known as “Black Panthers”)
  • BRI-PP – Anti-Command Unit

Direction de la Sécurité Intérieure (DSI)

• SA (Service Action / Intervention Branch)
  • CPEOM
  • CPIS
  • CPES

Germany

Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces)

Army

• Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) – Army Special Operations Command
• Fernspählehrkompanie 200 – 200th Long-Range Reconnaissance Company

Navy

• Kampfschwimmerkompanie – Naval Combat Swimmer Company

Federal Police (formerly Border Guard)

• GSG-9 – GSG-9 BPOL
• BFE+ – Evidence Collection and Arrest Team

Police

• SEK (Spezialeinsatzkommando) – Special Deployment Command of the State Police

Italy

Italian Republic Armed Forces

• CO.F.S. (Comando interforze per le operazioni delle Forze speciali) – Joint Special Forces Command

Army

• 4º Reggimento Alpini Paracadutisti “Monte Cervino” – 4th Alpini Parachute Regiment “Monte Cervino”
• 26º R.E.O.S. – 26th Special Operations Helicopter Unit “Giove”
• Brigata Paracadutisti “Folgore” – Folgore Parachute Brigade
  • 9º Reggimento d’Assalto Paracadutisti “COL.MOSCHIN” – 9th Parachute Assault Regiment “Col. Moschin”
  • 185º Reggimento Paracadutisti Ricognizione Acquisizione Obiettivi “Folgore” – 185th Parachute Reconnaissance Regiment “Folgore”
  • 183º Reggimento Paracadutisti “Nembo” – 183rd Parachute Regiment “Nembo”
  • 186º Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore” – 186th Parachute Regiment “Folgore”
  • 187º Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore” – 187th Parachute Regiment “Folgore”

Navy

• 1º Reggimento “San Marco” – San Marco Marine Regiment
• COMSUBIN (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei) – Navy Underwater Demolition and Assault Group
  • GOI – Commando Operations Unit
  • GOS – Underwater Rescue Unit

Air Force

• 9º Stormo “Francesco Baracca” – 9th Air Wing “Francesco Baracca”
• 17º Stormo Incursori – 17th Assault Air Wing

Carabinieri (National Gendarmerie)

• GIS (Groupe Intervention Speciale) – Special Intervention Group
• 1º Reggimento Carabinieri Paracadutisti “Tuscania” – 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment “Tuscania”

Ministry of Interior

• NOCS (Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza) – Central Security Operations Unit

Ministry of Economy and Finance

• Guardia di Finanza (Financial Police)
  • ATPI (Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego) – Counter-Terrorism Rapid Deployment Unit

Spain

Spanish Armed Forces

Army

• GOE – Special Operations Group
  • Special Operations Command Battalion
  • 3rd Special Operations Battalion “Valencia”
  • 4th Special Operations Battalion “Telcio del Amprudan”
  • 19th Special Operations Battalion “Maderal Oreaaga”
  • Special Operations Communications Company

Foreign Legion

• BOEL – Foreign Legion Special Operations Bandera

  (Incorporated into the 19th Special Operations Battalion since 2002)

Navy

• UOE – Marine Special Operations Unit

National Gendarmerie

• UEI – Special Intervention Unit of the National Civil Guard
• GAR – Rural Anti-Terrorist Groups of the National Civil Guard

National Police

• GEO – Special Operations Group of the National Police
• Cuerpos Especial de Investigación Anti Terroristas – National Police Counter-Terrorism Special Investigation Unit

Regional Police Forces

• GEI – Special Intervention Unit of the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalonia)
• Velocci Unit – Special Intervention Unit of the Basque Autonomous Police
• GIE – Special Intervention Unit of the Navarre Regional Police

Netherlands

Dutch Armed Forces

Army

• Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) – Dutch Special Forces

Navy/Marine Corps

• Amphibious Combat Battalion (in charge of special operations)
  • 1st Amphibious Task Group
    • Reconnaissance Unit
      • Long-Range Reconnaissance Company
      • 7th Troop, Netherlands Special Boat Service (also known as the Amphibious Reconnaissance Unit; during wartime, part of the British SBS) – 7NL
      • Mountain Pathfinder Reconnaissance Unit
      • 11th Airborne Company
      • 23rd Airborne Company (nicknamed “Whiskey Company”)
  • Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid (BBE) – Special Protection Unit (also known as the Marine Intervention Unit – UIM)
• Amphibious Support Battalion

Military Police

• Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten (BSB) – Special Security Tasks Brigade

Belgium

Belgian Army

• Special Operations Group
• Intervention Rapid Response Unit (IRC)

Police

• DSU – Special Intervention Unit

Portugal

• Army Commandos
• Special Operations Unit
• Navy Special Operations Detachment
• Special Operations Unit of the Security Police – Grupo de Operações Especiais (GOE)

Greece

Navy

• Underwater Demolition Command

Coast Guard

• Underwater Operations Unit

Police

• Athens Municipal Police Special Operations Unit – Dimoria Eidikon Apostolon (DEA)
• Anti-Hijack Unit

Ireland

• An Garda Síochána Rapid Response Unit – “Garda Síochána Na hÉireann Aonad Práinnfhreagartha”
• Army Ranger Group – Sciathán Fiannóglach na hAirm

Norway

• Beredskapstroppen (Delta) – National Police Emergency Response Unit
• Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK) – Armed Forces Special Operations Command
• Hærens Jegerkommando (HJK) – Army Ranger Command
• Marinejegerkommandoen (MJK) – Navy Ranger Command

Finland

• Utti Jaeger Regiment
• Osasto Karhu – Helsinki Mobile Police “Bear Unit”

Denmark

• Jægerkorpset (JGK) – Army Ranger Company
• Frogman Corps (FKP) – Navy Frogman Company
• SSR – Regional Defense Support and Reconnaissance Company
• Politiets Aktionsstyrke (AKS) – Police Anti-Terror Unit

Lithuania

• ARAS (Aras)
• Vitauta Jaeger Battalion
• Combat Diver Company
• Air Force Special Operations Group

Poland

Polish Special Forces

• JW GROM – Rapid Response Operations Group
• JW Komandosów – 1st Special Commando Regiment
• JW Formoza – Combat Divers Unit
• JW Agat – 6th Airborne Assault Brigade
• JW Nil – Reconnaissance and Intelligence Unit
• 7th Special Operations Company

Polish Army

• 22nd Mountain Brigade
• 23rd Mountain Brigade

Polish Navy

• 7th Coast Guard Brigade

Polish Police

• SPAP – Independent Anti-Terrorism Unit

Czech Republic

• SOG – Special Operations Group

Slovakia

• 5th Special Forces Regiment
• NADSTF – National Anti-Drug Special Task Force

Romania

• Brigada Antiterorista (BAT) – Anti-Terrorism Brigade

Bulgaria

• Special Operations Command
  • 68th Special Forces Brigade
  • Airborne Reconnaissance Battalion
  • Psychological Operations Battalion
• SOBT – Counter-Terrorism Special Unit (Специалиэираниа Отряд эа Борба с Терориста)

Hungary

• 34th Special Operations Battalion “Berchényi László”
• Cserhat PSF – Police Special Forces

Serbia

• Special Anti-Terror Unit – Specialna Antiteroristika Jedinica (SAJ)
• 72nd Special Operations Brigade
• Cobra Unit

Croatia

• Special Operations Battalion
• Special Police Unit

Albania

• RENEA – Armed Element Elimination and Neutralization Unit (Reparti i Eleminimit dhe Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur)
• ROS – Special Operations Unit (Reparti i Operacioneve Speciale)
• Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
• National Guard – Garda Kombetare
• Navy Command
• FNSH – Quick Reaction Forces (Forzat e Nderhyrjes se Shpejte)
• Commando Brigade

Austria

• Einsatzkommando – Interior Ministry Intervention Commando “Cobra”
• Jagdkommando – Federal Armed Forces Commando Unit “Jaktkommando”

Switzerland

• Armee-Aufklärungsdetachement 10 – Army 10th Reconnaissance Detachment
• Grenadier Bataillone – Grenadier Battalion
• Stern Unit – Bern Canton Police Special Unit (Stern)
• Enzian Unit – Zürich Canton Police Special Unit (Enzian)

Iceland

• Reykjavik Special (Vikings) Unit

Mexico

Mexican Armed Forces

• Fuerza F “Zorro”
• Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales (GAFE) – Airborne Group
• Fuerzas Especiales (Mexican Navy) – FES

Mexican Federal Police

• Federal Police Special Operations Group

El Salvador

• BESM – Special Security Brigade

Colombia

• GOES – National Police Special Operations Unit
• AFEUR – Urban Anti-Terror Special Unit
• FUDRA – Rapid Deployment Unit
• GAULA – Anti-Kidnapping Police Unit
• BAFEIM – Naval Special Warfare Battalion
• GAES – Army Anti-Hijack and Anti-Robbery Unit
• GAJDA

Guatemala

• Kaibiles

Honduras

• COE – Special Operations Command
• Cobra National Company – National Security Force “Cobra” Company

Brazil

• BOPE – Special Police Operations Battalion
• Project Talon
• 1º BFEsp – 1st Army Special Mission Battalion (Anti-Terror Detachment)
• Air Force Special Operations Unit
• Navy Combat Divers Group
• Marine Special Warfare Battalion
• Marine Special Mission Group

Argentina

• Army Special Forces – Commandos
• Air Force Special Operations Group
• Navy Combat Divers Unit
• Marine Amphibious Assault Command Group
• Police Special Operations Brigade – Halcón
• National Gendarmerie Special Unit

Venezuela

• Special Intervention Brigade

Ecuador

• Army Puma Unit

Chile

• GOPE – National Police Special Operations Unit (Grupo de Operaciones Especiales)
• UAT – Anti-Terror Unit
• Air Force Counter-Terror Command
• Combat Divers Unit

Peru

• FOES – Special Operations Force (Fuerza de Operaciones Especiales)
• DINOES – National Police Special Forces

 

Japan

Self-Defense Forces

• SOG – Special Operations Group (Army Special Forces)
• SBU – Special Security Team (Maritime Self-Defense Force’s first designated special operations unit)

The following units are not classified as special forces but are considered to be in a similar league:

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

• • 1st Airborne Brigade – A unit primarily responsible for air mobile operations (the basis for establishing the SOG)

• 1st Helicopter Regiment, 102nd Squadron – Provides air support for special operations forces, modeled after the U.S. Army’s Night Stalkers
• Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade – Tasked with island defense and recapture via amphibious operations
  • 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment (formerly WAiR – Western Area Regiment); its Ranger platoon members receive “Special Operations Pay”
  • 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment – Ranger platoon
  • 3rd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment – Ranger platoon
  • Reconnaissance Company
• CWCT – Winter Warfare Training Unit specializing in snowy terrain, with elements resembling special forces against Soviet/Russian threats
• Central Special Weapons Protection Unit – A chemical defense unit specializing in NBC threats
• Central Quick Reaction Regiment – An emergency deployment unit responsible for protecting and transporting overseas Japanese nationals
• Tsushima Patrol Unit – Guerrilla countermeasures and island defense
• Amami Patrol Unit – Modeled after the Tsushima Patrol Unit for island defense
• Miyako Patrol Unit – As above
• Yaeyama Patrol Unit – As above

Japan Air Self-Defense Force

• Air Rescue Wing – Responsible for combat search and rescue and disaster relief (search and rescue personnel)
• Air Support Group – Provides tactical air control and close air support training
• Base Defense Training Unit – Responsible for counter-terrorism, guerrilla warfare training, and base defense

Japan Coast Guard

• SST – Special Security Team (Anti-Terror Special Forces)
• Special Security Team (Coast Guard) – Port and maritime security unit
• SRT – Special Rescue Team (designed for maritime emergencies)

Prefectural Police

• SAT – Special Assault Team (Anti-Terror Special Forces)
• SIT (and similar units) – Special Incident Investigation Units (for hostage and kidnapping cases)

The following units, while not designated as special forces, operate at a comparable level within police organizations:

• Armed Response Units – Initial response units for incidents involving firearms
  • RATS – Saitama Prefectural Police Mobile Tactical Unit (a unit distinct in terms of equipment and training from standard armed response units)
  • ERT – Metropolitan Police Department’s initial tactical response unit, composed of selected personnel from their armed response teams, for multi-site incidents
  • ART – Osaka Prefectural Police unit with similar responsibilities to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police ERT
  • WRT – Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Waterborne Rapid Response Team for maritime incidents

• NBC Terrorism Response Unit – Specialized unit for NBC terrorism response
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit – Specialized unit for handling explosives
• Special Nuclear Facility Protection Unit – Responsible for the security of nuclear-related facilities
• Tokyo International Airport Anti-Terror Unit – Dedicated security unit for Tokyo International Airport
• Chiba Prefectural Police Narita International Airport Security Unit – Dedicated security unit for Narita International Airport
• Tokyo Metropolitan Police Prime Minister’s Residence Guard Unit – Responsible for protecting the Prime Minister’s residence during crises
• Border and Remote Island Patrol Unit – Okinawa Prefectural Police’s unit for remote island defense

Imperial Palace Police

• Special Security Team (Imperial Palace Police) – Responsible for counter-terrorism, firearms, explosives, NBC threats, and disaster response within the Imperial Palace grounds

Ministry of Justice

• Special Mobile Guard Squad (SeRT) – Deployed at prisons, detention centers, and juvenile facilities to respond to riots, escapes, and terrorist incidents

People’s Republic of China

People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

Ground Force

• Recon and Assault Unit – Beijing Military Region
• “Flying Dragon” Special Forces – Nanjing Military Region
• “South China Sword” Special Forces – Guangzhou Military Region
• “Black Berets” Special Forces – Jinan Military Region
• “Eagle” Special Forces – Jinan Military Region
• “Northeast Fierce Tiger” Special Forces – Shenyang Military Region
• “Southwest Eagle” Special Forces – Chengdu Military Region
• “Leopard” Special Forces – Chengdu Military Region
• “Night Tiger” Special Forces – Lanzhou Military Region
• “Sharp Sword” Special Forces – (Region unspecified)

Navy

• “Jiaolong” Special Forces – South Sea Fleet
• Navy Marine Corps Special Reconnaissance Unit

Air Force

• “Thunder God” Special Forces – 15th Airborne Army

Police

• People’s Armed Police Special Police Unit (Public Security Special Police)
  • Blue Sword Assault Team – Unit of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau
  • Anti-Riot Assault Team – Unit of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau

Armed Police

• *Special Task Unit (Armed Police Special Task)
  • Snow Leopard Assault Team – Unit of the Beijing Garrison

Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Police Special Duties Unit (commonly known as “Flying Tigers”) – SDU
• Hong Kong Police Counter-Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU)
  • Hong Kong Police Railway Response Team (RRU, incorporated since November 2022)
• Hong Kong Police Airport Security Unit (ASU)
• Hong Kong Police Maritime Emergency Response Team (MERT)
• Hong Kong Police Operation Support Unit (colloquially “Assault Team”)
• Regional Response Teams (RRT) – Correctional Services Department’s “Black Panther” units

Macau

• Grupo de Operações Especiais – Special Actions Group

Taiwan

Republic of China Armed Forces

Military Police

• ROC Military Police Special Task Unit

Ground Force

• ROC Army Airborne Operations Command
  • ROC Airborne Special Operations Unit
  • High Altitude Special Operations Company

Marine Corps (Expeditionary)

• ROC Navy Marine Corps Special Task Unit (colloquially “Black-clad Unit”) – Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Marine Corps

Taiwan Police

• Weian Special Task Unit

Executive Yuan Coast Guard Administration

• ROC Coast Guard Special Task Unit

 

Russia

Russian Federation

General Staff Special Operations Command (KCCO)

• Special Operations Forces – Силы специальных операций (CCO)

General Staff Intelligence Directorate (GRU)

• Spetsnaz – Special Purpose Forces (the term “Spetsnaz” is a Russian abbreviation for “special-purpose forces”)
  • Western Military District
    • 2nd Independent Special Purpose Brigade
    • 16th Independent Special Purpose Brigade
  • Southern Military District
    • 10th Independent Special Purpose Brigade
    • 22nd Independent Guards Special Purpose Brigade
    • 100th Independent Reconnaissance Brigade (experimental unit)
  • Central Military District
    • 3rd Independent Guards Special Purpose Brigade
  • Eastern Military District
    • 24th Independent Special Purpose Brigade
    • 14th Independent Special Purpose Brigade
  • Airborne Forces
    • 45th Independent Guards Special Purpose Regiment
  • 42nd Motorized Sniper Brigade Special Purpose Battalion (Chechen special forces)
    • Vostok Battalion (“East”) – formerly the 2nd Independent National Guard Battalion of the Yamadaev clan, ex-privates of Ramzan Kadyrov
    • Zapad Battalion (“West”) – ex-privates of Said-Magomed Kakiyev, loyal to the federal side
• Osnaz – SIGINT Special Forces (осназ)
• Unit 29155
• Navy
  • Navy Spetsnaz

Former KGB Apparatus

Federal Security Service (FSB)

• Special Task Center
  • Alpha Group (Альфа) – Former KGB Group A of the 7th Directorate, counter-sabotage and counter-terrorism unit
  • Vympel Group (Вымпел) – Former KGB Group S of the 1st Directorate, specialized in nuclear facility protection

Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) (formerly KGB First Chief Directorate)

• Zaslon (Защлон) (“Shield”) – Sabotage Special Forces Unit

Ex-Ministry of Internal Affairs Units

National Guard of Russia (transferred and reorganized in 2016)

(Formerly under the domestic military branch)

• ODON – Independent Operational Purpose Division “Odon” (Georgiyinsky Division)
  • 604th Special Purpose Center – Former “Vityaz” Special Task Detachment
• 46th Independent Operational Purpose Brigade
  • 141st Special Motorized Regiment “Kadyrovtsy” – formerly the 248th Independent Special Motorized Battalion (nicknamed “Sever” – North Battalion; ex-privates of Ramzan Kadyrov)
  • 249th Independent Special Motorized Battalion – nicknamed “Yug” (South Battalion; ex-privates of Ramzan Kadyrov)
• Rus’ (Special Task Detachment) – Русь
• Rosich (Special Task Detachment) – РОСИЧ
• Skif (Special Task Detachment) – СКИФ

• Ex-Ministry of Public Order Units
  • OMON – Mobile Special Purpose Unit (Russian SWAT, formerly the Special Task Militia Detachment) – отряд мобильный особого назначения: ОМОН
• Ex-Criminal and Terrorism Control Units
  • SOBR – Rapid Reaction Special Unit (counter-organized crime) – специальный отдел быстрого реагирования: СОБР

Russian Federal Ministry of Justice

Federal Penitentiary Service

• Special Task Unit

Chechen Republic

• Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Task Police Regiment named after Akhmat Kadyrov (ex-privates of Ramzan Kadyrov) – ПМОH, ПМОН
• Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Task Police Detachment – OMON
• Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs Emergency Special Response Unit “Terek” – Терская

Belarus

• Belarus Special Operations Forces – Силы специальных операций
  • 38th Independent Motorized Brigade
  • 103rd Independent Motorized Brigade
  • 5th Independent Special Purpose Brigade
• Belarus National Security Committee (KGB)
  • KGB Alpha Group
• Belarus Ministry of Internal Affairs
  • OMON
  • Special Anti-Terror Unit “Almaz” (Алмаз)

Ukraine

Ukrainian Armed Forces

Special Operations Forces

• 25th Independent Airborne Brigade
• Air Mobile Brigade

Police

• KORD

Ministry of Internal Affairs

• Sokol (Falcon)
• Yaguar
• Gepard (Cheetah)

Ex-KGB Units

• SBU Anti-Terrorism and Protection of Persons Involved in Criminal Proceedings
• SBU Alpha Group
• DSO “Titan”

Moldova

• Special Task Battalion (Fulgherl)
• Dniester Region
  • Special Task Police Detachment

Transnistria

• Ministry of Internal Affairs Domestic Forces “Transnistria” Special Task Battalion
• National Security Ministry “Delta” Special Task Battalion
• Ministry of Justice Correctional Service “Scorpion” Special Task Detachment
• Republical Guards Special Task Group

Armenia

• Alpha
• Special Combat Operations Directorate

Georgia

• Omega – Special Detachment
• 11th Motorized Sniper Brigade, 111th Battalion (Shafnabad)
• Navy Infantry Battalion (Commandos)
• 16th Sachhel Mountain Sniper Battalion

Abkhazia

• General Staff Special Reconnaissance Detachment
• Drakon – Demolition & Reconnaissance Detachment
• Kotran – Demolition & Reconnaissance Detachment
• Edelweiss – Demolition & Reconnaissance Detachment
• Ministry of Internal Affairs Emergency Response Special Detachment

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Republic Armed Forces

• 15th Independent Air Assault Brigade – formerly the 15th Independent Special Purpose Brigade of the Soviet Army
• Rapid Reaction Brigade
• Ministry of Defense Intelligence Directorate Independent Special Task Detachment

National Security Service

• “Bulgut” (Golden Eagle) Special Task Brigade
• “Scorpion” Special Reconnaissance and Surveillance Unit
• “Cobra” Special Reconnaissance Unit

Ministry of Internal Affairs

• “Chaon” (Scorpion) Independent Special Task Battalion
• “Bals” Independent Special Task Battalion
• 7th Directorate Independent Special Task Detachment

Republican Guard

• Kokzhal – “Leader of the Wolves”

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Republic Armed Forces

• Intelligence Directorate Independent Special Task Company
• Mountain Jaeger Battalion – subordinate to the 3rd Motorized Sniper Brigade
• 261st Independent Special Task Detachment, Airborne Forces
• 1st Naval Infantry Brigade
• Combat Diver Reconnaissance Unit

National Security Committee

• Aluistan (Lion)
• Snowstorm – Border Forces Volunteer Unit
• Arlan – Border Forces Unit
• Ak-Baris (White Panther) – Border Forces Unit

Ministry of Internal Affairs

• Sunkar (Falcon)
• Arlan
• Rapid Response Special Detachment
• Domestic Forces “Bulyut” (Golden Eagle)

Republican Guard

• Kokzhal (Wolf Leader)

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz Republic Armed Forces

• 25th Independent Special Task Brigade – also known as “Scorpion”
• Independent Mountain Sniper Brigade – incorporating the “Ilbirs” Special Forces

Kyrgyz National Security Service

• “Karkhan” Combat Operations Detachment
• “Alpha” Anti-Terror Unit

National Guard

• “Panteera” Special Task Detachment – 2nd Battalion of the National Guard

Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs

• Special Task Police Detachment

Tajikistan

• Alpha
• 1st Special Operations Brigade
• Mountain Ski Unit
• Mountain Jaeger Special Unit

Mongolia

• Unit 150

North Korea

• Light Infantry Training and Guidance Bureau (also known as the Special 8th Corps)
• Korean People’s Army Special Operations Forces
  • Light Infantry Brigade
  • Air-Land Assault Brigade
  • Air Force Sniper Brigade
  • Sniper Brigade
• General Staff Reconnaissance Bureau
  • Reconnaissance Battalion
  • Maritime Task Force
• Workers’ Party Operations Department

South Korea

Ministry of National Defense

• Republic of Korea Army Physical Training Unit

Republic of Korea Armed Forces

Army

• Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (SWC)
  • Special Operations Brigade (commonly called “Black Berets”)
    • 1st Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
    • 3rd Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
    • 5th Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
    • 7th Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
    • 9th Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
    • 11th Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
    • 13th Special Operations Brigade (Airborne)
  • Special Warfare Training Group
  • 707th Special Task Battalion
  • 203rd Special Airborne Assault Brigade
  • Airborne Special Warfare Brigade
  • Military Police Special Guard Unit

Navy

• Republic of Korea Navy Special Warfare Flotilla – UDT/SEAL
• Marine Corps 1st Special Reconnaissance Company

Air Force

• Air Force 6th Search and Rescue Group
• Air Force Combat Control Team (CCT)

Ministry of Public Administration

Korea National Police Agency

• Local Police SWAT – KNP-SWAT (Tateko, Tetrotu Kkonté)

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

Korea Coast Guard

• Sea Police Special Attack Team (SSAT)

Vietnam

• Vietnam People’s Army Special Forces (Đặc công)
• Chin-Sat – Counter-Terrorism Special Unit

Philippines

• Special Operations Group (SOG)
• Naval Special Warfare Group (NAVSOG)
• Aviation Security Commando (AVESCOM)
• Light Reaction Force (LRF)
• Integrated National Police Field Force – also known as the Integrated National Police Field Special Company (INPFF)

Thailand

• Air Force Special HRU
• Navy SEALs
• 1st Army, 1st Division
• Army Special Operations Command
• National Police Bureau
  • Metropolitan Police Special Operations SWAT – Arintarat 26 Police Special Unit
  • Border Patrol Police Aviation Support Special Operations Unit – Naree Sawan 261 Police Special Unit

Cambodia

• 911st Independent Airborne Brigade

Malaysia

Malaysian Armed Forces

• 10th Airborne Brigade – 10 Briged Para
• Grup Gerak Khas (GGK) – Special Operations Group
• Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) – Naval Special Forces
• Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU) – Air Force Special Forces

Malaysian Police

• VAT69 – 69 Komando: Anti-Guerilla Command Unit
• UTK – Unit Tindak Khas (Special Action Unit)
• UNGERIN – Unit Gempur Marin (Marine Assault Unit)

Malaysia Coast Guard

• STAR – Special Task And Rescue (Coast Guard Special Operations Unit)

Singapore

• 1st Commando Battalion
• Special Operations Force (SOF)
• Navy Diving Unit (NDU)
• Police Tactical Team (PTT)

Indonesia

Indonesian National Armed Forces

Army

• KOPASUS – Army Special Forces
  • 5th Group, 81st Detachment
• Raider Battalion

Air Force

• PASKAHAS – Air Force Special Forces
  • ATBARA – Airborne Hijack Response Mobile Unit

Navy

• Kesatuan Gurita – Navy Combat Swimmer Unit
• KOPASKA – Navy Special Forces
• Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion
• Hazardous Area Detachment

Police

• Satgas Gegana – National Police Anti-Terrorist Task Force
• Satgas Atbara – Airborne Hijack Response Mobile Unit

Afghanistan

People’s Democratic Party Regime

• 203rd Independent Special Battalion
• 212th Independent Special Battalion
• 230th Independent Special Battalion
• Secretary General’s Guard
• 154th Independent Special Task Detachment – A puppet unit of the former Soviet forces

Republican Regime

• NDS – Ministry of Internal Affairs Public Order Police
• CRU – Crisis Response Unit
• Afghan National Army Special Operations Command

Taliban Regime

• Red Unit – Elite unit from the armed forces era
• Islamic Emirate Command
• Yarmouk 60th Special Battalion – Counter-Terrorism Unit within Badri’s 313th Battalion
• Central Command of Police Special Forces

India

Indian Armed Forces

Army

• Para Commandos
• Army Special Counter-Terrorism Unit – SCTU
• National Security Guards (NSG)
• “Ghatak” Commando Platoon

Navy

• Marine Commando Force (MCF, also known as MARCOS)

Air Force

• Garud Commando Force

Police

• Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) – Mumbai Police Counter-Terror Unit

Pakistan

• Army Special Services Group (SSG)
• Navy Special Services Group (SSGN)
• Air Force Special Services Wing (SSW)

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)

• Covert Action Division (CAD)

Bangladesh

• 1st Airborne Commando Battalion
• Presidential Guard Force
• Rapid Action Battalion
• SWADS

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Armed Forces

Army

• Army Commando Company

Air Force

• Air Force Military Police Special Forces

Navy

• SBU

Police

• Special Task Force (STF)

Israel

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

General Staff

• Sayarét Matkal – General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, Unit 269. Engaged in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, etc.
• Maglan – Long-range reconnaissance unit directly under the General Staff, later integrated with the Army’s Oz Brigade.

Army

• Oz Brigade – Established in December 2015 as an integrated special operations brigade. It encompasses the following four special forces units:
  • Maglan – Long-range reconnaissance unit under the General Staff
  • Eguz – Irregular warfare unit under the Northern Command, subordinate to the Golani Brigade
  • Duvdevan – Unit 217. Part of the Central Command and 98th Airborne Division; operates as a counter-terrorism unit in the West Bank
  • Limon – Reconnaissance unit under the Southern Command, subordinate to the Givati Brigade
• Shimshon – Former counter-terrorism unit active in the Gaza Strip; disbanded following the Oslo Accords
• GADSAR – Battalion integrated into each infantry brigade for reconnaissance, including a reconnaissance company called “PALSAR”
• Okets – Special forces unit employing military working dogs
• Alpinistim – Special mountain warfare unit specializing in operations in northern Hermon
• Shuarey Shimshon – A special forces unit under the Givati Brigade; the reconnaissance battalion within the brigade currently carries the same name
• Yahalom – Special forces unit within the Combat Engineering Corps
• 414 “Nesher” Battalion, 636 “Nitzan” Battalion, 869 “Shahaf” Battalion – Special forces units within the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps
• Targeted Field Intelligence Unit – Special forces unit within the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps
• Rotar Eilat – Counter-terrorism/hostage rescue unit based in the southern city of Eilat

Navy

• Shayetet 13 – Unit 13
• KOMANDOYAMI – Combat Divers

Air Force

• Shaldag – Conducts laser-guided strikes in enemy-occupied territories, counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue operations
• 669th Airborne Search and Rescue Unit – Conducts combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations in enemy territories

Israel Police

Border Police

• Yamam – Counter-terrorism unit of the Border Police
• Yamas – Under the authority of the Israel Security Agency; conducts infiltration operations in Arab communities (colloquially “Mister Arabim”)

Police

• Yasam – Riot control unit
• Masada Unit – Anti-prison riot unit

Turkey

• Ozel Intihar Kommando Bolugu (OIKB)
• National Police Crisis Action Team
• Anti-Sabotage Brigade – Su Alti Savunma (SAS)
• Marine Brigade – Su Alti Taaruz (SAT)
• Mountain Jaeger Special Forces

Morocco

• Parachute Battalion
• Army Commandos
  • Cobra Unit
  • Eagle Unit
  • Tiger Battalion
• Navy Command
  • Al-Husseima Battalion
  • El-Ayoun Battalion
• National Gendarmerie – GIGR
• Moroccan Police – GIR

Jordan

• Special Forces Brigade
• Special Operations Aviation Squadron
• Royal Jordanian Army Special Task Unit – SOU
• Royal Jordanian Navy Divers Team
• Royal Jordanian Navy Special Boat Unit

Saudi Arabia

• Special Security Unit

Bahrain

• Interior Ministry National Security Unit – Group U

Oman

• Sultan’s Special Forces
• Police Special Mobile Unit
• Combat Swimmer Unit

Iran

• Land “Takavar” Unit
• 65th Special Airborne Regiment
• Marine “Takavar” Unit
• Police Counter-Terrorism Special Forces (NOPO)

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

• Quat al-Qoddus
• Takavard Land Command “Saberin”
• Takavard Naval Command “Sepah”

Iraq

(Under the former Hussein regime)

• K-Uat 999
• Saddam’s Martyrs – Saddam’s Suicide/Intrepid/Crusader Brigade (Fedayin Saddam)
• Republican Guard (Al-Haris Al-Jamfari)
• Special Republican Guard (Al-Haris Al-Jamfari Al-Khas)

(Under the new regime)

• Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF)
• Hilla SWAT

Kuwait

• 10th Commando Battalion
• Rapid Assault Unit
• Combat Diver Unit
• Special Anti-Terror Unit

Syria

• Special Task Division
• Independent Regiment
• Special Task Regiment
• Yekineyen Anti-Terror (Syrian Democratic Forces Special Unit)

Egypt

• 777th Combat Battalion (“Al-Saika: Thunder”)
• Special Operations Unit
• 333rd Battalion – HRF (Hostage Rescue Unit)
• 999th Battalion
• Army Airborne Unit
• Army Air Assault Unit

Tunisia

• GCGN – National Guard Command Group (Groupement de Commando of the Garde National)
• USGN – National Guard Special Unit (Unité Spéciale Garde Nationale)

Algeria

• URS – Republican Security Units (Unités Républicaines de Sécurité)
• BMPJ – Mobile Brigades of the Judicial Police (Brigades Mobiles de la Police Judiciaire)
• SCRB – Central Service for Banditry Repression (Service Central de Répression du Banditisme)
• Special Group of the Regional Security Coordination Directorate (DCST)
• DSI – Special Intervention Detachment (Détachement Spécial d’Intervention)
• Special Brigade
• Republican Guard – Garde Républicaine
• Special Action Unit of the Research and Security Department (DRS)
• GIS – Special Intervention Group (Groupe d’Intervention Spécial)

Sudan

• CTU 144 – Counter Terrorist Unit
• Airborne Brigade Special Forces Company

Nigeria

• 72nd Special Forces Battalion
• Nigerian SBS
• Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)

Kenya

• Special Operations Regiment – SOR
  • 30th Special Forces Regiment (30SF)
  • 40th Ranger Assault Unit (40RSF)
• Navy Special Vessel Unit
• General Services Unit (GSU) – Police Reconnaissance Unit

Guinea

• The Group of Special Forces (GFS)

South Africa

• SADF Special Forces Brigade – South Africa Defense Force Special Forces Brigade (SADF-SFB)
• SAPS Special Task Force – South African Police Service Special Task Force (SAPS-STF)
• Reaction Unit – Formerly restructured as the National Intervention Unit in 2000 (regional police special unit)
• 32nd Battalion (disbanded in 1993)
• Railway and Port Police Special Task Unit – Integrated into SAPS-STF in 1986

Namibia

• Airborne Commando Unit
• Marine Amphibious Command
• Special Field Unit
• Special Reserve Unit

(Under the South West African Administration until 1993)

• Airborne Battalion
• Reconnaissance Battalion
• SWAPO Police Counter-Insurgency Unit – KOEVOET

Angola

• Special Forces Brigade
• Mobile Special Unit

Zimbabwe

• Zimbabwe SAS
• Assault Regiment
• Parachute Regiment
• Cavalry Regiment
• Boat Battalion

(Under the Rhodesian White Regime until 1978)

• Rhodesian Airborne Special Forces
• Cellouse Squads
• Grey Squads

Ethiopia

• 205th Command Brigade
• 206th Command Brigade
• Agazi Command Division
• United Nations Peacekeeping & Command Training Brigade

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Special Combat Unit
• 10th Special Infantry Brigade

 

Special forces and their affiliated organizations worldwide are built on unique strategies and technologies tailored to each nation, executing a wide range of missions from counter-terrorism and border security to disaster response. We hope this comprehensive directory deepens your understanding of military and law enforcement organizational structures and provides valuable insights into global security challenges.

Source: Wikipedia – List of military special forces units