The best special forces in the world: types, names, countries, classification, comparison, selection and rating of the best

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:54

Today, the issue of combating terrorism is one of the most pressing. Only elite special forces units, also called special forces, can provide adequate protection to the civilian population at the proper level. Similar structures exist in every state. In this regard, many are interested in which special forces are the best in the world?

The public has heard a lot about the anti-terrorist activities of some elite groups, the existence of others has no idea. However, despite the lack of wide publicity, such units still exist and operate secretly. Information about which special forces are the best in the world, the rating of the most effective special forces are presented in the article.

Introduction

Spetsnaz is a unique type of troops, the purpose of which is to destroy terrorist formations, conduct special operations, and, having penetrated behind enemy lines, carry out acts of sabotage and other complex combat missions. Since the place of activity of personnel is extremely extreme conditions, and they have to work using specific power methods, high combat, fire, physical and psychological training is provided for the fighters. The question of which special forces are the best in the world, according to experts, is very delicate, since the fighters of such units are already recognized as the best. In this regard, various competitions are held between the structures. The task of such events is to reveal whose special forces are the best in the world.

About classification

According to experts, it is rather problematic to determine the best special forces in the world. The difficulty lies in the fact that in each individual state the tasks of elite groups are different. Some units resist terrorists and rescue hostages, while others carry out reconnaissance and even attack. It is also difficult to identify the best special forces in the world for the reason that the countries have police special forces and elite groups that are in the department of both the special services and the Ministry of Defense.

The compilers of tops and ratings often do not take into account the different types of activities of elite paramilitary structures, but mix everything together: the Russian FSB special forces operating inside the country, the American "fur seals" engaged in sabotage and reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines, the army SAS Britain. According to one of the American versions, posted in Business Insider, the best special forces in the world are in the USA. However, according to experts, this point of view is biased. You can determine the best special forces in the worldonly by simulating a real battle between a particular group. In addition, such factors as the age of the special forces, the foreign policy of the state and its internal stability are of great importance. For example, the Colombian "Hunglas", constantly opposing local drug cartels, has more experience than special forces in prosperous Belgium. Also, American units that went through Iraq and Afghanistan, and Russian units that worked in the Caucasus for a long time, will be much more effective compared to the special forces of quiet Denmark. Below are the top 10 special forces in the world.

Pakistani SSG

In 1956, a special forces unit was formed by the Pakistan Army, which is known as the Special Servies Group. The British SAS and American special forces, with whom joint exercises were conducted during the Cold War, were taken as a model for the unit. Information on the number of personnel of the Pakistani special forces is not freely available. It is only known that the recruitment of fighters in the SSG is very thorough. Each of them must be fluent in hand-to-hand combat techniques. To do this, applicants undergo a nine-month training with exhausting physical exercises. According to experts, out of ten applicants, only two get into the group. The detachment is trained to perform specific tasks in the mountains, desert, jungle and under water. Afghanistan became the place for acquiring the first combat experience. Pakistani specialists on the side of the Mujahideen opposed their colleagues from the Soviet Union. Over time, the SSG fighters made sabotage attacks against the border guardsIndia. Today, the group conducts anti-terrorist activities within the country and is among the top best special forces in the world.

About Israeli Sayeret Matkal

This formation is in ninth position among the best special forces units in the world. Sayeret Matkal has been functioning since 1957. According to experts, candidates for this unit enter after eighteen months of training courses. The list of disciplines includes the infantry school, parachuting and reconnaissance. Since 1960, Sayeret Matkal has taken part in some of the largest anti-terrorist operations. Operation Thunderbolt brought world fame to the Israeli special forces. Then the Palestinian terrorists hijacked an airliner with hostages. Many were released, but over a hundred were still held by the Palestinians at the airport. The fighters of the special forces had to destroy the terrorists to free the hostages.

GIS. Italy

In the 1970s, after several terrorist attacks, an elite unit was formed from among the Carabinieri, which today is known as the Gruppo di Speciale. Initially, the unit was created in response to a terrorist threat. Also, Italian specialists acted in Libya and the Persian Gulf together with NATO colleagues. There are 150 people in the group. Some of them are professional snipers. Candidates are trained in shooting and various types of hand-to-hand combat, including Wushu and Muay Thai.

USA. "Marinecats"

Spetsnaz has been operating since 1962. The unit gained worldwide fame after 2011, when American specialists in Abbottabad eliminated Islamist leader Osama bin Laden. Only the best applicants with high physical and intellectual data get into the squad. Candidate training lasts for a year. Many applicants are eliminated because the standards are too high. Physical tests include swimming, running, sit-ups, and push-ups. Having passed them, the young man is sent for further education, after which he is awarded a qualification. Only after that, specialized courses are available to the candidate. As a result, the fighter of the unit is fully prepared to perform the most difficult tasks anywhere in the world.

About Canadian JTF 2

In the sixth position among the best special forces in the world, Canada's elite unit JTF 2. The paramilitary structure was created in 1993. After the terrorist attack in September 2001, the personnel of the special forces expanded to include several hundred people. The backbone of the special forces was the military personnel of the Canadian Armed Forces. The range of activities is not limited only to countering terrorism and performing specific tasks on the territory of the country. The fighters of the Canadian elite formation are attracted to escort VIPs. In 2010, at the Olympic Winter Games, special forces ensured the security of this sporting event. In addition, Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia, where Canadian specialists were engaged in tracking down professional snipers from Serbia, became places for hidden activities of the fighters. As they sayspecialists, the level of secrecy is so high that the tasks performed by JTF 2 employees are unknown even to the Canadian Prime Minister.

USA. Delta Force

This formation is the first operational detachment of special forces. In everyday life it is called "Delta". In addition to counter-terrorist operations and hostage rescue, the fighters carry out reconnaissance and attacks. Formed a unit of US Special Forces, Green Berets and Rangers in 1977 in response to the growing terrorist threat at the time.

Delta recruits people no older than 21 years old with high physical data. In addition, applicants must be mentally stable. Thanks to grueling physical and mental tests, the weak are eliminated immediately. Thus, out of 10 candidates, testing successfully adds up only one. After the young people, an intensive 6-month training course awaits. Despite the fact that all Delta activities are classified, according to experts, one can be sure that Delta Force is at the head of every operation for which America is responsible.

About French GIGN

This formation is the Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie and occupies the 4th position in the top 10 best special forces in the world. As with most European special forces, the impetus for the creation of GIGN was a terrorist act. It was made in 1972 at the Olympic Games in Munich. Prior to this event, a hostage-taking riot broke out in one of the French prisons. As a result, civilianwere killed, and all of France was shaken. It became clear that the country needed a force that could protect its citizens.

The number of personnel of the GIGN special forces is 400 people. The formation works in two directions: rescuing hostages and countering terrorism. Since its inception, the French special forces have carried out many successful operations. The most high-profile cases were the rescue of several dozen schoolchildren in Djibouti, the capture of Bosnian war criminals, the neutralization of terrorists and the rescue of civilians in Marseille in 1994 on board 8969 Air France. In addition, GIGN successfully counters Somali pirates.

About German GSG 9

This formation is ranked 3rd among the best special forces in the world. It has been operating since 1973. The unit was created in response to the Olympic terrorist attack in Munich. Soldiers of the German special forces resist terrorism, free hostages, protect VIPs and strategically important objects in the country. The personnel of the special formation is 300 people. By 2003, GSG 9 fighters had successfully completed more than 1500 operations.

About British SAS

According to experts, this formation surpassed the American Navy SEALs in terms of efficiency. SAS was created in 1941. The task of the group is to carry out sabotage activities deep behind enemy lines. The SAS opposed German and Italian forces and provided support to the local resistance movement. Special Forces recruitment is very strict. Applicants must be physically verydeveloped and be able to make a 40-mile forced march. No more than 20 hours are given to overcome this distance. In addition, applicants must swim two miles in 120 minutes and run another four miles in half an hour. In the jungle, where young people are then thrown, they learn to survive in difficult conditions. At the end of the test, candidates have good navigational skills. The test ends with a 40-hour session, during which the instructors break their will. After successfully passing all the stages, the young man is sent to specialized courses. They are taken to MI 5 and MI 6. There, cadets are taught the intricacies of intelligence and counterintelligence.

Top leader

Every year Florida hosts the Super SWAT International Round-Up. Mostly among the teams are a large number of American police units. Also frequent participating countries are Russia, Hungary, Brazil, Germany, Sweden and Kuwait. Despite the fact that, according to experts, even American units are often sued by the commission, and even a biased attitude towards other participants, the Russian Alfa always managed to occupy the top lines in the end. In 2013, similar competitions were held in Jordan. Fighters from China became the enemy of the veterans of the special forces of the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Russian snipers gave the highest score. According to many experts, Russian special forces are the best in the world. Alpha is considered an elite unit.

The formation gained worldwide fame after the successful assault on Amin's palace inAfghanistan. In 1985, in Beirut, the group was involved in the rescue of four diplomats from the Soviet Union. However, the hostages were executed. There are legends that after this event, the Alpha fighters hunted down the terrorists and destroyed them, returning the pieces to their relatives. This forced measure has become a kind of message for would-be terrorists. In Russia in 2002, the group worked in the Nord-Ost theater besieged by extremists, and in 2004 they were engaged in the release of hostages in one of the schools in Beslan. According to experts, in both episodes, the cruel nature of Russian specialists was manifested, since not only terrorists were destroyed, many civilians died. Officially, the unit is called department "A" of the Special Forces Center of the FSB of the Russian Federation.

Formed in July 1974. Yuri Andropov was the initiator. Therefore, the unit is also called the Andropov Group. The Munich events of 1972 became the impetus for the formation of the Soviet special forces, as well as similar European paramilitary structures. According to experts, Alpha fighters have vast experience in countering terrorism, which other foreign structures do not have to this extent.