Special forces, or special operations
forces are military units extremely trained to perform unconventional,
typically insecure missions for a nation’s political, economic or
military purposes. The origin of Special Forces dates back to the early
twentieth century, with fighting models set up by German Brandenburgers
during the World War II. Ranking the Best Special Forces from all over
the world is a tough job. It’s just like trying to rank the best athlete
from the world among the numerous different sports which require
different skills and abilities. Throughout the worl, every country train
special forces within their military. And all these special forces
train their men to be the best of the best, to take the impossible task
and make it possible. Here is a list of top 10 Best “SPECIAL FORCES”
from around the world. All these renowned Special Forces are always
surrounded by an air of mystery as they cannot be exposed to the general
public.
10. MARCOS, India
The MARCOS (Marine Commando Force) is an elite special operations unit
of the Indian Navy. It was created for conducting special operations
such as Amphibious warfare, Counter-terrorism, Direct action, Special
reconnaissance, Unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, Personnel
recovery, Asymmetric warfare, Counterproliferation. The MARCOS is
specially organised, trained and equipped for the conduct of special
operations in a maritime environment.
9. GIS, Italy
The GIS (Gruppo di Intervento Speciale) is an elite special operations
counter-terrorism tactical response unit inside the Italian Carabinieri
military police. It was created by Italian State Police in 1978 to
combat the growing terrorism threat. The unit is globally known for its
sharp marksmanship. Currently the GIS, with one hundred or so soldiers,
is tasked with anti-terrorism operations, security services and
providing training.
8. EKO Cobra, Austria
EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is
Austria’s primary counter-terrorism special operations tactical unit. It
was formed in 1978, primarily as a response to the attack on Israeli
athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. This special tactical unit is
involved mainly in counter-terrorism. The unit retains a low profile,
despite their high-speed involvement in the war on terror. They were
involved in a hostage rescue in the Graz-Karlau Prison in 1996 and
numerous other operations. The EKO Cobra is the only Counter-Terrorism
unit to end a hijacking while the plane was still in the air. They are
considered by many as one of the best trained counter-terrorist units in
the world.
7. GIGN, France
The GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) is a special
operations unit of the French Armed Forces. The unit is trained to
perform counter-terrorist and hostage rescue missions in France or
anywhere else in the world. It was formed after the Munich massacre in
the 1971 Olympic Games. Its basic goal was to prepare for possible
future responses to the extremely violent attacks. In 1973, the GIGN
became a permanent force of men trained and equipped to respond to these
kind of threats. It is renowned for its swift responses and proficient
combat capability in hostage rescue and anti-terrorism operations. GIGN
currently deployed for large-scale intervention, search and protection
missions.
6. SSG, Pakistan
The SSG (Special Services Group) is a special operations force of the
Pakistan Army. It is quite similar to the U.S. Army’s Special Forces and
the British Army’s SAS. The unit was created in 1956, it also known as
“Black Storks” a name derived from their unique headgear the “Maroon
Beret”. The SSG considered one of the world’s best special forces
because of their courage and bravery. As a Russian president once said
that if he had Pakistan’s army and Russian weapons he could conquer all
the world because they are very brave. The SSG has trained for these
specific missions: Asymmetric Warfare, Special Operations,
Counter-Proliferation, Unconventional Warfare, Foreign Internal Defense,
Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action, Hostage Rescue,
Counter-Terrorist and Personnel Recovery. Recently, SSG has been active
in anti-terrorist operations in Pakistan’s restive western borders with
Afghanistan and fighting Islamic extremists in Pakistani cities.
5. JW GROM, Poland
The JW GROM (Jednostka Wojskowa GROM) is
Poland’s elite counter-terrorism unit. The unit was officially
activated on July 13, 1990 in response to terrorist threats. GROM, which
stands for “thunder” is one of the five special operation forces units
of the Polish Armed Forces. They are trained to respond to a variety of
threats and unconventional warfare roles, including anti-terrorist
actions and projection of power behind enemy lines.
4. GSG 9, Germany
GSG 9 is a German counter-terrorism and special operations unit of the
German Federal Police. It was officially established in 1973 after the
mismanagement of the German Police to successfully free 11 Israeli
athletes who were kidnapped in Munich during the Summer Olympic Games.
GSG 9 is deployed in cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism and
extortion. It also be used to secure locations, neutralize targets,
track down fugitives and sometimes conduct sniper operations. The unit
is very active in developing and testing methods and tactics for these
missions. From 1972 to 2003 they reportedly completed over 1,500
missions, discharging their weapons on only five occasions.
3. Delta Force, United States
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), popularly
known as Delta Force, was officially approved in 1997 after numerous,
well-publicized terrorist incidents in USA. It’s the best and one of the
most secretive forces in the US. Modeled after the British 22 Special
Air Service Regiment, or SAS. The founder/co-founder of SFOD-D was a
former SAS operative who thought the US needed an elite force like the
SAS. Delta Force’s primary tasks are counter-terrorism, direct action,
and national intervention operations, although it is an extremely
versatile group capable of conducting many types of clandestine
missions, including, but not limited to, hostage rescues and raids.
2. Navy SEALs, United States
The Navy SEALs, also known as the United States Navy’s Sea, Air and Land
Teams can trace their roots to World War II. SEALs are male members of
the United States Navy, and are one of the United State’s most elite
special Warfare Combatants. The CIA’s highly secretive Special
Activities Division (SAD) and more specifically its elite Special
Operations Group (SOG) recruits operators from the SEAL Teams. Joint
Navy SEALs and CIA operations go back to the famed MACV-SOG during the
Vietnam War. This cooperation still exists today and is seen in the wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recent joint Navy SEALs and CIA operation
in the finding and killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
1. SAS, United Kingdom
Special Air Service is one of the best Special Forces in UK. SAS was set
up in 1941 during the Second World War and has served as a model for
Special Forces around the world. It was reformed as part of the
Territorial Army in 1947, and named the 21st Battalion, SAS Regiment.
The Regular Army 22 SAS gained worldwide fame and recognition after
successfully attacking the Iranian Embassy in London and rescuing
hostages during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege. It currently comprises
one regular regiment and two territorial regiments. It,s primary tasks
are counter-terrorism in peacetime and special operations in wartime
