List of military special forces units

This is a list of active military special forces units. Several NATO documents use the term Special Forces.

NATO Allied Joint Publication (AJP) 3.5 defines special operations as "Special operations are military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, trained, and equipped forces, manned with selected personnel, using unconventional tactics, techniques, and modes of employment. These activities may be conducted across the full range of military operations, independently or with conventional forces, to help achieve the desired end-state. Politico-military considerations may require clandestine or covert techniques and the acceptance of a degree of political or military risk not associated with operations by conventional forces. Special Operations deliver strategic or operational-level results or are executed where significant political risk exists.'

The NATO-Russia Glossary of Contemporary Political and Military Terms doesn't contain any definition for Special Forces. It does have a definition for Special Operations Forces and Special Operations Force:[1]

Strategic formations and units of the armed forces, whose role is to conduct sabotage, reconnaissance, subversive and other special operations on the territory of foreign countries. In wartime they may also be assigned tasks such as intelligence-gathering, the seizure or destruction of key installations, the conduct of psychological operations or the organization of insurgencies in the enemy’s rear area. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have separate special-operations forces brigades, battalions and companies which are integrated with the intelligence assets of military districts, fronts, fleets, armies or corps.

Designated special groups of selected servicemen which provide NATO with unique capabilities of special reconnaissance, direct action and military assistance in order to undertake difficult, dangerous and sometimes politically sensitive missions for the theatre commander.

These are distinct from special-purpose infantry units such as the Royal Marine Commandos.

Other potential sources of a good definition for Special Forces or Special Operations Forces include the Department of Defense Dictionary (Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms) and the 24th Special Tactics Squadron memoir No Room for Error by Col. John T. Carney, and Benjamin F. Schemmer.

For other units, see:

Afghanistan Afghanistan

Afghan National Army Special Operations Command[2]

Angola Angola

Angolan Armed Forces

Armenia Armenia

Armenian Army

Australia Australia

Special Operations Command[8]

Austria Austria

Austrian Army

Belarus Belarus

Armed Forces of Belarus

Belgium Belgium

Belgian Land Component

Botswana Botswana

Brazil Brazil

Brazilian Army
Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Navy

Brunei Brunei

Canada Canada

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

Chile Chile

China China

People's Liberation Army Marine Corps[26]
People's Liberation Army Ground Force

Democratic Republic of the CongoCongo Democratic Republic of

Czech Republic Czech Republic

Army of the Czech Republic (ACR)

Denmark Denmark

A brief from the Royal Danish Defence College listed two Danish special operations units:[30]

Two other Danish units have some claim to special forces status. The Danish Home Guard's Special Support and Reconnaissance Company is capable of behind-the-lines stay-behind reconnaissance, similar to the Cold War role of the British 21 and 23 SAS Regiments.[33] The Royal Danish Navy also maintains a unique ski patrol unit that conducts dog patrols of Greenland throughout the year. This unit, the Sirius Patrol, maintains a combat capability.

 Egypt

Ethiopia Ethiopia

France France

Special Operations Command

Gabon Gabon

Georgia (country) Georgia

Georgian Army

Germany Germany

German Army
German Navy
German Air Force

Greece Greece

Hellenic Army

Hungary Hungary

India India

Indian Army
Indian Navy
Indian Air Force

Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesian Army
Indonesian Navy

Iraq Iraq

The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Bureau reports to the Prime Minister directly. The Iraqi CTB oversees the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Command, a formation that includes all Iraqi Special Operations Forces (two brigades, according to the IISS 2013). As of 30 June 2009, there had been legislation in progress for a year to make the Iraqi CTB a separate ministry.[51]

Republic of Ireland Ireland

Irish Army

Iran Iran

Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC)

Israel Israel

Israeli Air Force
Israeli Army
Israeli Navy

Italy Italy

Italian Army
Italian Navy
Italian Air Force
Carabinieri

JapanJapan

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Jordan Jordan

Joint Special Operations Command

Kenya Kenya

Kuwait Kuwait

Malaysia Malaysia

Malaysian Army
Royal Malaysian Air Force
Royal Malaysian Navy

Netherlands Netherlands

Netherlands Army
Netherlands Navy

New Zealand New Zealand

New Zealand Army

Nigeria Nigeria

Pakistan Pakistan

Pakistan Army
Pakistan Navy

Philippines Philippines

Philippine Air Force
Philippine Army Special Operations Command
Philippine Marine Corps
Philippine Navy

Poland Poland

[86] [87][88] [89] [90]

Portugal Portugal

Portuguese Army
Portuguese Navy
Portuguese Air Force

Romania Romania

Ministry of Defense

Russia Russia

Main article: Spetsnaz
Special Operations Forces, subordinate directly to the MoD[96][97]
Russian Ground Forces[100]
Russian Airborne Troops[101]
Russian Navy[102]

South Korea Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea Army
Republic of Korea Navy[104]
Republic of Korea Air Force[106]

Serbia Serbia

Serbian Armed Forces

Slovakia Slovakia

Military of Slovakia

South Africa South Africa

South African National Defence Force

Spain Spain

Spanish Army
Spanish Navy

Sweden Sweden

Swedish Armed Forces

Switzerland Switzerland

Swiss Army

Kommando Spezialkräfte KSK (Special Forces Command)

Professional units

Militia units

Turkey Turkey

Ukraine Ukraine

United Kingdom United Kingdom

United States United States

Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuelan Air Force

Vietnam Vietnam

Under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (Bộ Tổng Tham mưu Quân đội Nhân dân Việt Nam)

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe

Non-combat special units

While the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group is a relatively overt unit, references to the JSOC units below are rare. Possibly the only authoritative source is Ambinder, Marc, and D. B. Grady The Command: Deep Inside the President's Secret Army, John Wiley & Sons, 2012.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nato.int/docu/glossary/eng/15-main.pdf
  2. ↑ Afghan National Army update, May 2011. The Long War Journal (2011-05-09). Retrieved on 2011-12-27.
  3. ↑ NPR: New Afghan Commandos Take to the Frontlines
  4. ↑ Afghan special forces expand to handle night raids, delicate missions, but training takes time. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2012-01-01.
  5. ↑ Army Special Forces Celebrate Years, 3 May 2007.
  6. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2013, p.215. See also http://desantura.ru/am/
  7. ↑ "Международные связи - NCCA". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Thomson, Mark; Davies, Andrew (2008). "ADF capability review: Australian Army". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  9. ↑ "Commando". Defence Jobs. Australian Army. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  10. ↑ Österreichs Bundesheer – Jagdkommando. Bmlv.gv.at. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  11. ↑ Das Jagdkommando (JaKdo). Doppeladler.com. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  12. ↑ "Events - The Official Internet Portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Composante Terre Unités Special Forces Group. Mil.be. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2013, p.495
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 http://www.bdaopesp.eb.mil.br/
  17. ↑ https://www.boppsico.eb.mil.br/
  18. ↑ http://www.ciaprecpqdt.eb.mil.br/
  19. ↑ https://www.mar.mil.br/
  20. ↑ http://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/?p=21800
  21. ↑ Brunei Special Forces Regiment Joint Exercise with 1st Commando Regiment Australia
  22. ↑ James Goldrick, Jack McCaffrie, Navies of South-East Asia: A Comparative Study, Volume 50 of Cass series--naval policy and history, Routledge, 2012 ISBN 0415809428, 16.
  23. ↑ http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/427soas-427eosa/index-eng.asp/
  24. ↑ Canadian Special Operations Regiment | Régiment d'opérations spéciales du Canada. Csor.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  25. ↑ Joint Task Force Two | La Deuxième Force opérationnelle interarmées. Jtf2.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  26. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2013, 291
  27. ↑ PLA Special Operations Forces. SinoDefence.com (30 August 2008). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  28. ↑ Eric Elliott (20 September 2010). "750 Congolese Soldiers Graduate from U.S.-led Military Training, Form Light Infantry Battalion". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "102. pzpr aktuálně - 102. průzkumný prapor Prostějov". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  30. ↑ Special operations - myths and facts, p.7
  31. ↑ Forside. Forsvaret.dk. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  32. ↑ Kongsøre. Forsvaret.dk (24 September 2010). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  33. ↑ Hjemmeværnet – SSR – Særlig Støtte og Rekognoscering. Hjv.dk. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  34. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2014, 315.
  35. ↑ Ethiopia: Commando Division Officer Dupes 1.2 Mil. Br., http://allafrica.com/stories/200508180226.html
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 "Ministère de la Défense, Les unités des forces spéciales" (in French). 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014..
  37. ↑ https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/2130581
  38. ↑ Einheiten – KSK – Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) . Sondereinheiten.de. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  39. ↑ Einheiten – Kampfschwimmer. Sondereinheiten.de. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  40. ↑ Greek Raiders, Special Weapons Magazine, October 2013
  41. ↑ Special Operation Forces Of Hungary: Is A Transformation Necessary? p. 47 Retrieved on 2015-03-16.
  42. ↑ Special Operation Forces Of Hungary: Is A Transformation Necessary? p. 57 Retrieved on 2015-03-16.
  43. ↑ Special Operation Forces Of Hungary: Is A Transformation Necessary? p. 66 Retrieved on 2015-03-16.
  44. ↑
  45. ↑
  46. ↑
  47. ↑ Lowry, Bob (1996). The Armed Forces of Indonesia. The Armed Forces of Asia. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. pp. 86–89. ISBN 1-86448-144-7.
  48. ↑ Kingsbury, Damien (2003). Power politics and the Indonesian military. Routledge. pp. 93–109. ISBN 978-0-415-29729-5.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Bennett, Richard M. (2003). Elite Forces. The World's Most Formidable Secret Armies. London: Virgin Books. pp. 102–103. ISBN 0-7535-0823-0.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Kingsbury, Damien (2003). Power politics and the Indonesian military. Routledge. pp. 110–111. ISBN 978-0-415-29729-5.
  51. ↑ D.J. Elliot, Iraqi Counter Terrorism Bureau, Montrose Toast, 30 June 2009
  52. ↑ ARW | Organisation | Army | Defence Forces. Military.ie. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  53. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19990218204131id_/https://fas.org/irp/world/iran/qods/
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Katz, Yaakov (13 August 2006). "Commandos out in the open". USA Today. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  55. ↑ First female Arab soldier joins elite unit 669 – Israel News, Ynetnews. Ynet.co.il (20 June 1995). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  56. ↑ The Israeli Special Forces Database™ – Sayeret, Commando, Special Operations. isayeret.com (6 May 1967). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 http://cca.analisidifesa.it/downloads/8542322026_it.pdf
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 http://www.difesa.it/smd/casmd /investiresicurezza/moltiplicatori_strategici.htm
  59. ↑ http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/unita_Sez/unita_ftrpar_9_colmo_voglio.asp
  60. ↑ http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/sitoam/Default.asp?idsez=250&idente=1687
  61. ↑
  62. ↑ "Japanese Special Operations Group". discovermilitary. and IISS 2013, p.306.
  63. ↑ "Special MSDF unit eyed to fight piracy". sattelite.
  64. ↑ http://www.mcmfamily.com/pdfs/SpecialOpsReportJordanTac50.pdf
  65. ↑ http://www2.nst.com.my/best-of-malaysia-1.125983/2.620/2.630/2.620/2.630/
  66. ↑ "GGK’s Long Guns and an RIV too – edited". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  67. ↑ http://www.malaysiandefence.com/?p=3708/
  68. ↑ http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2013/07/13/Exercising-with-allies//
  69. ↑ http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/printable.php?id=220972</
  70. ↑ Hardi Effendi Yaacob (November 2010). "High risk of humanitarian aid". Berita Harian online. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  71. ↑ "Malaysian Special Forces". Tactical Life. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  72. ↑ http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2f2011%2f1%2f22%2fnation%2f7852232&sec=nation/
  73. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12258442/
  74. ↑ "~ p a s k a l". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  75. ↑ "Korps Commandotroepen". Dutch Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  76. ↑ "Korps Mariniers". Dutch Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  77. ↑ NZ Army – NZ Special Air Service Group. Army.mil.nz (7 July 2011). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  78. ↑ Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi. "Four killed in Benue village attack". The Nation. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  79. ↑ "Strategic assets: Pakistan strengthens security of nuclear assets".
  80. ↑ Special Operations.Com. Special Operations.Com. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  81. ↑ A Celebration of the Little Black Dress. Businessmirror.com.ph (17 September 2010). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  82. ↑ Philippine Journals Online. Philjol.info. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  83. ↑ http://www.angelfire.com/ga/batwentyone/Spe.html
  84. ↑ Web 6 Apr.qxp. (PDF) . Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  85. ↑ About Section, Official Force Recon Page.
  86. ↑ :: Morska Jednostka Działań Specjalnych – FORMOZA :: STRONA GŁÓWNA ::. Formoza.wp.mil.pl. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  87. ↑
  88. ↑ //- Nieoficjalna strona poświęcona Jednostce Wojskowej GROM -//. Grom.mil.pl. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  89. ↑ Witamy na stronie 1 PSK. Psk.mil.pl. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  90. ↑ Dowództwo Wojsk Specjalnych. Wojskaspecjalne.mil.pl (3 September 2011). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  91. ↑ 91.0 91.1 http://www.exercito.pt/portal/exercito/_specific/public/allbrowsers/asp/default.asp?stage=1
  92. ↑ "Funcionalidade ou recurso não existe". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  93. ↑ "Personalul DSPI, felicitat de ministrul Duşa pentru modul în care îşi face datoria". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  94. ↑ "Detasamentul Special de Protectie si Interventie (DSPI)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  95. ↑ Menirea Interventiei Rapide. Presamil.ro. Retrieved on 8 September 2011
  96. ↑ "О новом спецназе замолвите слово". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  97. ↑ "Lenta.ru: Россия: Общество: В России создали командование сил спецопераций". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  98. ↑ Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.co.uk/articles/2012/12/03/russian_militaries_want_to_create_special_commando_force_20635.html)
  99. ↑ "Lenta.ru: Оружие: Вооружение: В Кубинке создадут Центр специальных операций". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  100. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/russia/spetsnaz-orbat.htm
  101. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/45-abn.htm
  102. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mf-spetsnaz.htm
  103. ↑ Illustrated Directory of Special Forces, p. 70, at Google Books
  104. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349192/Somali-pirates-South-Korean-commandos-storm-hijacked-tanker-rescue-crew.html
  105. ↑ http://sofrep.com/10163/korean-special-forces-north-vs-south/
  106. ↑ http://sofrep.com/10163/korean-special-forces-north-vs-south/
  107. ↑ http://www.vs.rs/eng/jedinice/kov/specijalna_brigada.htm
  108. ↑ SA Special Forces League. Recce.co.za. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  109. ↑ Ministerio de Defensa. Nodo de Internet. Ejercito.mde.es. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  110. ↑ Presentation – Armada Española. Armada.mde.es. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  111. ↑ "Inside Secret Raids Performed By Swedish Special Operators". Business Insider. February 4, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  112. ↑ Since 1 August, Switzerland has had its first professional special forces unit, known as DRA10.. swissinfo (5 September 2007). Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  113. ↑ "Fehler 404 - Weltwoche Online – www.weltwoche.ch". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  114. ↑ 114.0 114.1 "Nasıl Bordo Bereli olunur?". Özel Kuvvetler. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  115. ↑ "An inside look inside Ukraine's top warriors". Tactical Life.
  116. ↑ "Ukraine Military Dispositions" (PDF). Royal United Services Institute.
  117. ↑ "Волонтеры передали 8-му полку спецназа ВСУ спецсредства на сумму свыше 500 тысяч гривен". censor.
  118. ↑ "КАПИТАН ДАН КОЛЕСНИК: "САМЫЙ ТЯЖЕЛЫЙ БОЙ 140-ГО ЦЕНТРА СИЛ СПЕЦИАЛЬНЫХ ОПЕРАЦИЙ"". Censor.
  119. ↑ "В Николаеве простились с бойцом 73-го морского центра специального назначения, который погиб в зоне АТО". Nikolev City.
  120. ↑ "Regarding accusations against "Alpha" Group, the special ops division of the SBU". Maidan.
  121. ↑ Rayment, Sean (28 December 2003). "Overstretched SAS calls up part-time troops for Afghanistan". The Daily Telegraph (London).
  122. ↑ "House of Commons Hansard Written Ministerial Statements for 5 Apr 2005 (pt 1)". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  123. ↑ "18 Signal Regiment". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 2013.
  124. ↑ "Elite special forces unit set up". BBC News. 20 April 2006.
  125. ↑ 1 PARA, www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2014
  126. ↑ 126.0 126.1 126.2 126.3 126.4 126.5 126.6 126.7 126.8 126.9 126.10 126.11 126.12 126.13 126.14 126.15 126.16 126.17 126.18 126.19 126.20 126.21 126.22 126.23 126.24 126.25 126.26 126.27 126.28 126.29 126.30 126.31 126.32 126.33 126.34 126.35 "SOCOM 2013 Factbook" (PDF). 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  127. ↑ 127.0 127.1 127.2 List of Air Groups in the official website of the Venezuelan Air Force, http://www.aviacion.mil.ve/modules/fmcontent/content.php?topic=aviacion&id=11&page=grupos-aereos
  128. ↑
  129. ↑
  130. ↑
  131. ↑
  132. ↑ http://www.tienphong.vn/hanh-trang-nguoi-linh/linh-trinh-sat-di-khong-dau-nau-khong-khoi-698181.tpo
  133. ↑ Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit | Unité interarmées d'intervention du Canada. Cjiru-uiic.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.
  134. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10648941/Elite-Navy-rescue-team-always-on-call-to-help-submariners.html, and http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121113105021/youtube.com/user/defenceheadquarters?year=2007&page=13. Also see ARRSE.com
  135. ↑ "The most secret of secret units". The Week. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
Miscellaneous Notes
  1. ^ The Japanese Special Forces Group is the current name of the former Japanese Special Operations Group, following a name change.

External links