Elite special forces from different countries. List of elite Russian troops

Do you remember the old Soviet joke? At a meeting at NATO, generals decide in which army in the world, which elite units are best trained. English Green Berets? Or American? Or someone else? Finally, one old general says that the most terrible troops are in the Soviet Union. They are called a strange word, and due to their special savagery, they are not even trusted with weapons. The Soviet Union conveniently collapsed. IN Russian army The construction battalion was abolished (replacing it with more favorable phrases “railway troops” and “engineering troops”), but still, it is interesting to know which country owns the most powerful elite troops special purpose.

Of course, it is difficult to compare these troops with each other, since it is impossible to hold a tournament between them according to the Olympic system in the manner of gladiator fights practiced in Ancient Rome, but you can try to evaluate the entry requirements, training, as well as the track record of these military formations. So….

8. Black Stork Squad, Pakistan

A special forces group that got its name from its unique headgear. During training, the fighters of this formation must complete a forced march of 58 km in 12 hours and with full equipment. It fights mainly against Afghans, including the Taliban.

7. Special Operations Unit of the Spanish Navy

Created in 1952, initially only volunteers were recruited there. It was called a “company of mountaineering divers” (the original name, isn’t it?) Later it was transformed into an elite unit. The selection for this unit is very strict. Based on the results of the qualifying course, 70-80% of applicants are usually eliminated.

6. Russian special forces "Alpha"

Created in 1974, of course, under the KGB, later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it came under the control of the FSB. After the collapse of the Union, this special unit clearly had more work. All kinds of operations in the North Caucasus and beyond. Alpha fighters fight both with and representatives of organized crime. As you understand, there are an order of magnitude more of both of them in Russia than in the former USSR.

What can you do, the world is changing. Alpha is still criticized for Beslan and Nord-Ost to this day, blaming the security forces for an unjustifiably large number of victims. But, it must be said that in the same notorious Moscow theater, Alpha people corrected the mistakes of other people who showed phenomenal carelessness and indifference. The result was 129 dead hostages, mainly from the effects of paralytic.

Nevertheless, the professionalism and highest fighting qualities of the Alpha fighters are beyond doubt. Suffice it to recall the storming of Amin’s palace in Kabul in 1979, numerous operations in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and others. For example, the liquidation of the leader of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov and the representative of Al-Qaeda in Chechnya and adjacent regions of Abu Havs, the release of hostages in Mineralnye Vody in 2001. As for criticism, it seems that the peculiarities of the Russian mentality have an effect. Criticize, look for the guilty, and sometimes even curse, accusing of all known mortal sins, but when it gets hot, tearfully beg for help.

5. Special forces of the French gendarmerie, the so-called intervention group. GIGN

The main combat missions are operations to free hostages, this is the specificity of the group. When seizing the Al-Harak Mosque in 1979 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, special forces were faced with the fact that only Muslims could be allowed into the territory of the holy city. Then three fighters of the group, and after that they immediately joined the Saudi Arabian troops, who were liberating the mosque from the terrorists. In total, the group’s combat account includes more than 600 freed hostages.

4. Special unit Sayeret Matkal, Israel

The main tasks are reconnaissance and information collection. Therefore, the fighters of this unit spend a lot of time behind enemy lines. Not everyone can withstand the extreme stress of the qualifying course (gibusha). are carried out under the supervision of doctors and a psychologist. Based on the results of the death, only the best are accepted into the unit. One of the group's most memorable operations was the release of an Israeli taxi driver named Ilyahu Gurel, who had been kidnapped by three Palestinians whom he had taken to Jerusalem. His captors held him in a 10-meter shaft in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Ramallah. However, special forces soldiers found him there too. As for the terrorists, they were given what they deserved.

3. UK Special Air Service, or SAS (Special Air Service)

This is, in a way, a double of the SBS Marine Corps special unit. The motto of this unit is “He who takes risks wins.” The SAS saw action in Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. As American General Stanley McChrystal noted, “Their participation was critical. We couldn't have done it without them." This statement best characterizes the role of the SAS in those events, as well as the level of combat training.

2. Special unit of the British Marine Corps - SBS (Special Boat Service)

There is also a very tough selection and high intensity of training. The training course includes all kinds of endurance tests, training in survival skills in combat conditions, training in the jungles of Belize, plus intensive interrogation of candidates for admission. You can take the test course no more than twice.

1. SEALs are an elite unit of the US Armed Forces

The main tactical unit of the US Navy's special operations forces. They are mainly engaged in reconnaissance, sabotage activities and the release of hostages, and also solve other tactical tasks (mine clearance, combating illegal border crossings). The formation of the detachment began in 1962. First of all, fighters who could swim well and wield bladed weapons were selected for the detachment. From 1962 to 1973, SEALs fought in Vietnam, both as part of reconnaissance teams and as instructors for Vietnamese soldiers. Invaded Grenada (Operation Flash of Fury, 1983). Participated in the Gulf War (Operation Main Chance). They fought in Panama and Afghanistan. On May 2, 2011, a Navy Special Forces team conducted a successful operation to eliminate Bin Laden.

The specificity of training fur seals is that they perceive water not as an obstacle, but as a natural environment. Service in the SEAL places increased demands on the health of fighters, both physical and psychological, and therefore the training there is appropriate. What is “” worth when for 5 days the fighters sleep only 4 hours a day, and the rest of the time is occupied with survival tests. The motto of the Navy SEALs - “the only easy day was yesterday” - clearly indicates the progressive nature of the loads, which would already seem prohibitive to an ordinary person.

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) May 8, 2018

Formerly known as the Snow Wolf Commando Unit, the Chinese special forces "Snow Leopards" have long been classified. For five years, its fighters secretly practiced counter-terrorism operations, actions in the event of mass unrest, and learned to defuse explosive devices. This is how the Snow Leopards were trained to provide security for the Olympic Games held in Beijing in the summer of 2008.

Also, during the exercises, Chinese special forces, together with their Russian colleagues, practiced operations to maintain peace and stability.

The Snow Leopards pride themselves on their high speed and accuracy of fire, their strength and endurance, as well as their fighting spirit and willingness to sacrifice.

You can apply for a place in the detachment only after two years of service in the People's Armed Police of China (internal troops of the PRC - approx. "RG"). According to the publication, the Leopards are superior to many other special forces in terms of martial arts and close combat skills.

British "Special Boat Service"

SBS and Delta Force soldiers during an operation in Tora Bora, Afghanistan. Photo: US Government

“By force and cunning” is the motto of the Special Boat Service of the Royal Navy, one of the most secretive and elite special forces in the UK.

SBS is the British equivalent of the US Navy Special Forces. During the selection process for fighters in this special unit, 90 percent of the recruits are eliminated. The selection itself is a grueling endurance test that lasts four weeks. It ends with a 40-kilometer forced march, which takes less than 20 hours.

British special forces are taught to master weapons, live in the jungle, and survive on the battlefield.

Emerging after World War II, today the SBS is one of the most respected special forces in the world. British special forces took part in combat operations against the terrorist groups ISIS and Al-Qaeda banned in the Russian Federation, and also carried out rescue operations in Libya and Sierra Leone.

Polish GROM

THUNDER. Photo: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum / wikimedia.org

The name of the Polish military special forces unit is an abbreviation and stands for Operational Maneuver Response Group. The group was created in 1990 to protect Jews who emigrated from the USSR to Israel. It operated in areas where increased Hezbollah activity was observed. GROM's existence remained a secret until 1994, when Polish special forces were sent to Haiti to take part in an operation to "restorate democracy."

This special unit specializes in hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations. Its fighters are well armed, trained in diving and parachute jumping, explosives and operating various vehicles.

Pakistan Special Forces Group

Special purpose group. Photo: Hbtila/wikimedia.org

According to media reports, special forces training in Pakistan includes a 58-kilometer march, which takes 12 hours, as well as an eight-kilometer run with full gear, which is given only 35 minutes.

Created to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism, the Special Forces Group is primarily a grueling physical training program that is accompanied by training at parachute school, as well as a 25-week commando course and hand-to-hand combat training. According to reports, only 5 percent of applicants make the cut.

The group is actively involved in counter-terrorism operations.

American "Delta"

Delta Force is an elite unit of the US Army, the majority of its recruits are drawn from the 75th Army Ranger Regiment and Green Beret units (Delta also recruits Navy and Air Force personnel). The unit, which has changed several names, specializes in capturing and eliminating high-value targets, destroying terrorist cells and performing a variety of secret missions.

Most Delta Force missions remain secret, although they are credited with capturing Saddam Hussein and killing Osama bin Laden.

A video leaked online shows Delta operatives being trained. During training, Delta fighters have to pretend to be hostages while their colleagues fire at targets located next to them. This serves as proof of the commandos' marksmanship, builds trust within the special forces and trains soldiers to avoid being taken hostage.

French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN)

GIGN. Photo: Domenjod/wikimedia.org

GIGN is one of the most capable counter-terrorism units in the world. His main goal is to gain access to the site of a terrorist attack as quickly as possible, and then capture or kill the attackers before they can cause more damage.

The GIGN fighter training program lasts fourteen months. Documentarians filming a group of recruits witnessed how the number of applicants for service in the Intervention Group dropped from 120 people to 18 in just two weeks. Special forces are taught to handle weapons, shoot accurately, parachute jump, including from great heights, scuba dive, conduct hand-to-hand combat, survive in difficult conditions and defuse explosive devices.

French special forces soldiers are not only lethal, but also disciplined.

Israeli "Sayeret Matkal"

Sayeret Matkal fighter. Photo: IDF

Sayeret Matkal, also known as Unit 269, is a special unit of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Wide reconnaissance capabilities and successful operations to eliminate terrorists and free hostages ensured a good reputation for the fighters of this special unit created in 1967.

Israeli special forces rely on secrecy, attacking in small camouflaged groups and withdrawing before the enemy has time to realize what has happened.

One of the most famous Sayeret Matkal operations was the release of passengers from an Air France plane in Entebbe in 1976. Planning the operation took a week, putting the plan into execution took just over an hour.

Undercover special forces drove up to the terminal building, after which they burst into it and destroyed all the terrorists. They managed to rescue 102 of the 106 hostages, losing one soldier.

Spanish Special Naval Forces

Spanish special forces and an American Navy SEAL. Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jeffrey Lehrberg

Special naval forces were created in 2009, when various special forces of the fleet entered into a single combat formation. They include combat divers, explosives experts and members of the Special Operations Squad, which has become the basis of special naval forces.
Spanish naval special forces specialize in combating terrorists and saboteurs, search and rescue operations and storming ships.

The Spaniards have experience rescuing hostages and fighting pirates. So, in 2002, they stormed a North Korean ship transporting missiles to Yemen, and in 2011 they rescued a French hostage from Somali pirates.

And this is just what became known - most of their missions remain secret.

Russian special forces

Soldiers of Directorate “A” of the TsSN FSB of Russia.. Photo: SpetsnazAlpha / wikimedia.org

The work of Russian special forces is shrouded in mystery. According to the authors, most Russian special forces can be compared in training to the American Rangers, but there are also elite special forces groups that are more appropriately compared to Delta Force.

The Russians have extensive experience in reconnaissance, eliminating enemy supply lines, destroying chains of command, and identifying enemy weak points. According to We Are The Mighty, one factor makes a big difference Russian special forces from the American one - this is freedom in choosing weapons.

American Navy SEALs

"Navy Seals". Photo: U.S. Navy/wikimedia.org

Anyone wishing to serve in the ranks of the Navy SEALs must swim 460 meters in ten and a half minutes, do 79 push-ups, 79 squats, 11 pull-ups and run 2.5 kilometers. And this is just to get into the special forces.

SEAL training consists of underwater explosives training, parachute school and a rigorous 26-week special training course. After this, the newly minted special forces will undergo another 18 months of various training.

Navy SEALs can conduct reconnaissance, participate in direct combat, and conduct counter-terrorism operations.

In the decades that have passed since the creation of the first special forces, the fight against terrorism has turned from a vocation into a real science. However, each state has an approach to the destruction of bandits terrorizing civilians in different ways, mine. And our own, specially trained people, who can be compared with each other only in terms of efficiency and work results. 5th place. FBI HRT/SWAT. USA The special unit of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation is one of the most invisible in the media space. Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) fighters do not often appear on TV screens and news broadcasts from the United States, but these are the people who do the hardest work in the fight against terrorism and especially dangerous criminals in America. Such special forces are available at each of the 56 FBI departments, which allows them to respond to any threats with almost lightning speed. Contrary to popular belief, HRT does not replace police special forces SWAT. In case of urgent need, SWAT and HRT act together, under unified control. HRT fighters are somewhat similar to the fighters of the Russian “Alpha” or “Vympel” - getting into the American unit is considered a great honor, and only two out of ten candidates are able to pass the selection. To enroll in the HRT, you must have close to ideal health, fast and accurate shooting skills, and also pass a mental health assessment specialist. In addition to traditional small arms, the HRT is armed with helicopters and even combat boats. “Wide profile” of the work of HRT specialists - from detaining criminals to working in coastal zone- is provided by its own detachments of divers and demining center employees, so the FBI special forces can act autonomously and independently in almost any situation. HRT within the US law enforcement agencies is considered one of the most well-equipped: since the founding of the FBI special forces in 1983, the management has drawn up a separate budget, which includes not only the purchase of modern types of weapons and protection, but also armored cars with mine protection. Like many foreign ones special forces, HRT was created in the image and likeness of the British special forces SAS, and the training of the first groups of American special forces was carried out by retired British military personnel. However, despite good equipment and funding, HRT is mainly engaged in preparation for possible combat work: the unit’s specialists spend almost every day at the shooting range. The HRT fighters became widely known due to the “hunt” for the brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, suspected of organizing a terrorist attack in Boston. Federal service security, since the competence of HRT employees also includes the security of top government officials at official receptions. Employees of SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics), the US police special forces, also work almost on equal terms with HRT. Despite some differences in structure and jurisdiction, US police special forces have the most modern weapons and equipment and are almost always the first to work in critical situations. Snipers deserve special mention in SWAT. Many of the shooters are not only experienced police officers, but also professional shooters who take prizes in federal and international competitions.
4th place. BRI/RAID/GIGN. France As in many European countries, the starting point for the creation of special anti-terrorist groups in France was the terrorist attack during the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972. Almost immediately after the failure of the German special forces and the death of Israeli athletes at the hands of the Black September terrorists, several regional special forces were formed, united in 1976 into a single combat detachment GIGN - the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group. In the same year, the baptism of fire of a unique special forces unit by European standards took place: GIGN specialists freed hostages from a bus seized by militants in Djibouti. From 1980 to the mid-1990s, GIGN fighters participated in a whole series of special operations. Experts in the field of law enforcement agencies recognize the release of a hijacked Air France plane in Marseille in 1994 as one of the most difficult and successfully carried out. However, the results of the assault caused controversy in the expert community for a long time. And although the Algerian terrorists who hijacked the plane in the country of departure were eliminated, 25 passengers on the flight were injured during the assault varying degrees gravity.
Currently, GIGN has almost 400 fighters and general specialists - from snipers to mine-explosive experts. Together with other French special forces BRI and RAID, GIGN fighters have participated in the elimination of terrorists over the past two years - since November 2015. The GIGN special forces soldiers were subjected to the strongest criticism only once - during the liquidation of terrorists in a kosher food store in Paris during the assault, in addition to the terrorists, three hostages were killed, but experts still disagree as to whose fault it was that civilians died - as a result unprofessional actions of special forces or at the hands of terrorists. The employees of the BRI special forces, a unique combat group, whose forces carry out both investigations and active actions to capture/eliminate especially dangerous criminals, are also worthy of special mention. The competence of BRI includes not only operational search activities, but also external surveillance, assaults and much more. A separate program in the training of employees, according to BRI commander Christophe Molmy, is negotiations with bandits. According to experts, BRI fighters were among the first to get to the scene of a hostage situation in a kosher food store in Paris in January 2015. French RAID special forces are also involved in particularly difficult tasks. RAID employees deservedly enjoy respect not only among colleagues in France, but also in other countries, since the unit’s fighters regularly undergo high-altitude, mountain, parachute, special canine and other types of training and courses. RAID traditionally has strong programs for sharing experience. Including with Russian security forces. One of those who meet with RAID employees are specialists from the Central Specialist Service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Moscow.
3rd place. BOPE. Brazil The exotic and virtually unknown BOPE special forces from Brazil are engaged in perhaps the most dangerous and difficult work. Officers of the unit are engaged in the fight against organized crime and carry out regular raids to clear favelas of drug dealers and arms dealers. BOPE (port. Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais), or Special Police Operations Battalion, is five companies of the most experienced officers and specialists in almost all types of organized crime groups. The geography and social situation in Rio de Janeiro leaves a certain imprint on the actions of the Brazilian police special forces, created in the image and likeness of the American SWAT, adjusted for the local mentality. Operating mainly in the narrow streets of poor areas of Rio, BOPE special forces do not adhere to one single operating pattern. The mentality, as well as the tendency of favela residents to drug trafficking and other illegal activities, also leaves an imprint on the methods of delivering special forces to the place of work. In addition to armored vehicles with mine protection and armor of the fifth protection class, BOPE fighters also have helicopters at their disposal.
The minimum set of tests for enrollment in BOPE is as follows: fire training, high-altitude/mountain training, parachute jumping, hand-to-hand and knife fighting skills in cramped conditions. On average, according to experts, up to 90% of volunteers are eliminated at the selection stage. Since 2009, BOPE has been the only special forces unit that allows women to serve. Provided that the candidate has the minimum experience for such work and passes all tests. The main difficulty when joining the BOPE service is the conditions in which Brazilian specialists have to work. The slums of Rio are mountains, a city, and a jungle practically in one bottle. There are practically no analogues to the special unit from Brazil, which is responsible not only for the fight against drugs and the release of hostages - the only special unit similar in the specifics of its tasks was formed in neighboring Colombia.
2nd place. GSG-9. Germany After the Bavarian police failed to storm the terrorists and free the hostages in Munich, the German Ministry of Internal Affairs felt the need to create a special unit, unique even by world standards, whose main task would be the fight against terrorism. It took the German Ministry of the Interior less than a year to do everything - already in 1973, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, then head of the German Ministry of Internal Affairs, reported to the leadership about the formation of the battle group GSG-9 (German: Grenzschutzgruppe) - Border Protection Group. As in the case with other special forces, getting into GSG-9 from the very moment of its founding is extremely difficult. There were always more people wishing to join the Grenzschutzgruppe than there were vacancies. This is what causes some bias in the consideration of potential candidates. Preference is given to those who served in the ranks of the border guard service or the Navy: it is believed that it is the “originals” from army special forces who have the most developed skills and perform their assigned tasks faster and more efficiently than others. The personnel of GSG-9 are experienced, but young officers. Most of those who serve in GSG-9 are under thirty. German anti-terrorism specialists also have quite a few differences from foreign units. Combat groups have a pronounced “specialization”: GSG-9 has a special “marine” detachment, which is in charge of combat work with river and sea vessels of various displacements - a kind of analogue of Russian combat swimmers. The unit also includes top-class paratroopers, explosives bombers and a special “fire group”, whose main specialization is the use of special weapons in urban conditions.
GSG-9 is considered a unique special forces unit for a number of reasons. The first reason is the almost complete absence of foreign weapons and auxiliary equipment. Almost all the “tools” for the work of the German special forces are provided by domestic and “friendly” companies - Heckler Koch, Steyr Mannlicher, Sig Sauer and others. The main feature in this case is the sending for “testing” of prototypes and experimental weapons, based on the results of work with which the manufacturer makes changes to the design. To help the GSG-9 fighters, a separate aviation detachment has been formed, capable of delivering an anti-terrorism group not only to any point in Germany , but also peace. The tasks of GSG-9, in addition to anti-terrorist work on the territory of the country, have recently also included the protection of diplomatic and other government missions of Germany abroad. Security of embassies, assistance to the intelligence services of friendly states and much more are carried out practically without interruption from the main activity. One of the most elegant operations of GSG-9 is the neutralization of a lone terrorist in Dusseldorf. The fanatic who hijacked the KLM airliner was neutralized without noise, dust or the use of weapons in a matter of seconds. The absence of American-style shooting is noted by all experts in the field of law enforcement agencies. In the entire history of the group's existence, small arms were used by GSG-9 specialists only twice.
1st place. ALFA/VIMPEL Russia The Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia is not just anti-terrorism professionals gathered under a single command. These are special people performing impossible tasks. Contrary to popular belief, domestic specialized publications place Alpha and Vympel at the top of the ratings of anti-terror groups not based on nationality. It’s just that Russian special forces carry out tasks where any other rapid reaction group fails. And European/American and any other counter-terrorism groups do not have such experience. Despite the fact that in Russia there are many special forces units that are part of the Russian Guard, Alpha are ultra-professionals in anti-terrorism work. Once formed for secret sabotage work, “Alpha” and “Vympel” in 1998 expanded the range of tasks they could solve. The Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia, created in 1998, clearly defined the main areas of work of the units - anti-terrorism. Yes, the tasks of the TsSN FSB and the Russian Guard differ from each other, but the most dangerous and complex “events” are carried out jointly by the specialists of the TsSN FSB and the Russian Guard. It is worth noting that not a single foreign unit has experience similar to the combat work of Russian specialists in the North Caucasus. Neither the French RAID and GIGN, nor the German GSG-9, nor many others have ever carried out operations anything like the assault on the theater center on Dubrovka. Experts explain that European experts still do not call the decision to enter the building, where the entire auditorium was held hostage not just by militants, but also by suicide bombers ready to sacrifice themselves, as anything other than “impossible.”
European specialists cannot comprehend how in a matter of seconds it is possible to neutralize a dozen armed fanatics ready to die and at the same time neutralize all improvised explosive devices, the force of which was enough for the building of the center on Dubrovka to “fall” on the heads of the stormers. Such problems, of course, are not solved by chance, although trained people. To be invited to serve in Alpha or Vympel is still considered an honor, and not everyone inspires such trust. 95% of candidates are “weeded out” at the selection stage, and only 5% of “highest-class specialists” end up serving in the FSB TsSN. Russian anti-terrorism is specialists who can solve any problem. At sea, land, in the air and wherever the situation requires it. As experts note, there are no impossible tasks for Alpha and Vympel. There are only deadlines and execution of actions. For the FSB TsSN, in addition to special training programs, special equipment is also being developed. Recently, in many videos where FSB TsSN specialists perform combat missions, you can find black, angular armored vehicles with an unusual design. These are Falcatus and Viking, developed specifically for Russian special forces. However, even before the advent of special equipment, the FSB TsSN carried out tasks that were impossible, from the point of view of Western security officials. Many foreign experts on anti-terrorism and security forces still, even 16 years later, call the operation to liberate a school in Beslan captured by militants the best among those known to the world.

Elite special forces are some of the most trained and impressive military units that any country in the world can boast. They go where other militaries fear to tread, overcoming potential threats, eliminating strategic targets and conducting dangerous missions. They are the best of the best. Although it is difficult to create a comparative list of these units, there are units that are better than others because their soldiers undergo rigorous training that eliminates most applicants. In the modern world, where the size of a country’s armed forces no longer speaks volumes about their effectiveness, these military personnel are the hope and support of the state.

In our issue you will find a description of eight of the world's most elite military units. The list is presented in ascending order.

1. In eighth place is the Pakistani special forces group, better known as the “Black Storks” - because of the unique headdress of the commanders.

2. In October 2009, members of this special forces team broke into an office building and rescued 39 people taken hostage by Taliban militants after an attack on army units.

3. In seventh place are the Spanish Navy Special Forces (UOE), which have long remained one of the most respected special forces in Europe. The unit was originally organized as a volunteer landing company in 1952, but has since grown into an elite special forces unit.

4. However, obtaining a Green Beret UOE is not easy and the failure rate ranges from 70 to 80%. It is not uncommon for 100% of recruits to fail the test.

5. In sixth place is the Russian Alpha Squad, one of the best and most famous special forces units in the world. This elite anti-terrorist unit was created by the KGB in 1974 and remains under the auspices of its modern “follower”, the FSB.

6. In 2002, Russian special forces, and Alpha Unit in particular, came under fire after 129 hostages were killed in Operation Nord-Ost in a Moscow theater by the use of a sleeping gas intended to kill militants.

7. Fifth place: Of all the anti-terrorism services in the world, few can compare with the French Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN). The group consists of 200 people trained specifically for hostage situations. Since its founding in 1973, the group has freed 600 people. Publishing photographs of their faces is illegal in France.

8. One of the most extraordinary episodes in the history of GIGN was the capture of the Great Mosque in Mecca in 1979. Since non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the holy city, the three-member GIGN team bravely converted to Islam to help the Saudi military liberate the mosque.

9. In fourth place is Sayeret Matkal from Israel, another one of the most elite units in the world. Its main purpose is to gather intelligence and often operates far beyond enemy lines. During selection, recruits undergo rigorous training and are constantly monitored by doctors and psychologists. Only the strongest are included in the squad.

10. In 2003, Israeli taxi driver Eliyaahu Gurel was kidnapped after transporting four Palestinians to Jerusalem in his car. But the Sayeret Matkal detachment discovered his location and extracted him from a 10-meter hole in an abandoned factory in the suburbs of Ramallah.

11. The British Special Air Service opens the top three. Their motto is: “The brave one wins.” When asked about the importance of this unit in the Iraq War, US General Stanley McChrystal replied: “Principled. Without them nothing would have happened.”13. In first place are the US Navy SEALs. To join them, you need to be able to do at least 42 push-ups in 2 minutes, 50 squats in 2 minutes and run 2.4 km in 11 minutes. And all this - even before the start of training.

14. Bonus: US Marines are tough guys. For example, one of them drinks the blood of a cobra during jungle survival training.

Australia

• Australian Army Special Forces (SOCOMD)
• 1st Command Regiment
• 2nd Command Regiment - Former 4th Royal Australian Regiment Commandos. They are part of the Tactical Assault Group - East (TAG-E)
• SASR (English) Special Air Service Regiment) - Regiment of the Special Airborne Service. This unit, in addition to general military tasks, is charged with carrying out counter-terrorism measures. They are part of the Tactical Assault Groups - West (TAG-W)
• IRR (Incident Response Regiment)
• [edit] Australian Navy Special Forces
• CDT (English) Clearance Diving Team) - a unit of Australian combat swimmers.

Austria

• EKO Cobra
• Jagdkommando is a special forces group of the Austrian Federal Army. The group is trained for participation in multinational operations, for operational detection of intelligence services and for paramilitary protection individuals abroad. Some of the commandos are combat swimmers.

Azerbaijan

• Army special forces
• Special Purpose Battalion of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan.
• Palandj (Special Forces Group) ground forces Azerbaijan).
• Gartal (Special Forces Group of the Azerbaijani Ground Forces).
• Navy Special Forces
• Special Forces DSX
• Special forces of the Ministry of National Security
• Special unit of the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan - fight against terrorism, release of hostages, force cover for the operations of the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan.
• Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
• DIN Rapid Response Regiment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan.
• Shahin Special unit for combating terrorism of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan.
• Albania
• Forcat RENEA is an Albanian counter-terrorist formation.
• ROS (Reparti i Operacioneve Speciale)
• Unit 326

Argentina

• Argentine Army Special Forces
• The 601st Commando Company is a special unit of the Argentine ground forces. Stationed in Campo de Mayo.
• The 602nd Commando Company is a special unit of the Argentine ground forces.
• Argentine Navy Special Forces
• "Buzos tacticos" (Tactical Sabotage Group) is a special unit of the Argentine Navy. The most famous actions to the public: Operation Rosario, Operation Algeciras.

Armenia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

• Rapid Action Battalion (Bangladesh)

Belarus

• Army special forces

The 5th separate special forces brigade is a reconnaissance and sabotage unit. Located in Maryina Gorka (Pukhovichi district, Minsk region). Formed in 1963, it has high combat training and extensive combat experience. She took part in hostilities as part of a contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, and was one of the Soviet troops that carried out special events in Transcaucasia during the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. At the end of the 80s, an officer company was created as part of the brigade, which was staffed exclusively by officers and warrant officers. The brigade is one of several special forces units that are part of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. It belongs to the army special forces, and in terms of the nature of the tasks performed, it is fundamentally different from other special forces units included in the security system of the Republic of Belarus.

33 Guards a separate special forces detachment - a reconnaissance and sabotage unit. It is staffed by officers and warrant officers. Performs particularly important tasks.

• KGB special forces

"Alpha" Formed in 1990 in Minsk. Initially it also served the Baltic republics of the USSR.

• Border Troops Special Forces
• Separate Active Events Service (OSAM) - a unit whose task includes anti-terrorism activities in the border zone. The eldest sons of the President of the Republic of Belarus A.G. Lukashenko, Victor and Dmitry, served in this unit.
• Special forces of internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

3rd separate Red Banner Special Purpose Brigade (military unit 3214, located in Minsk in the Uruchye microdistrict, “Uruchenskaya brigade”) - carries out tasks to combat riots, combat terrorism, provide assistance to border troops in the event of complications in the operational situation on border. In addition, the brigade is undergoing training under a combined arms program in the event of an armed conflict. Formed in the 1990s. based on the 334th regiment of the 120th division.

• Special Rapid Reaction Squad (SOBR) - subdivision of the "Uruchenskaya Brigade".
• Police special forces
• Special Purpose Police Regiment (PMSN) — located in Minsk (analogous to the Russian riot police). Formed in the fall of 2005 on the basis of the Minsk riot police. In August 2012, the PMSN was renamed OMON (press)
• Special unit for combating terrorism "Almaz" (SPBT "Almaz") - a unit that performs tasks to combat terrorism. Reformed from the special forces of the department for the execution of punishments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the BSSR. According to the combat and special training program, each employee: undergoes training in tactical fire training, special fire training, has urban mountaineering skills, takes a combat swimmers and light divers course, and a parachute jumping course.

Bulgaria

• Army special forces
• Parachute reconnaissance brigade "Nest on the Eagle" (Eagle's Nest).
• Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
• SOBT (Specialized Detachment for Combating Terrorism) is an anti-terrorist unit.

Brazil

• BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais)
• GATE (Grupo de Ações Táticas Especiais)
• ROTA (Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar)

United Kingdom

• SAS-22 - 22 Regiment of Special Airborne Service, is the main anti-terrorist special forces of Great Britain, formed during the Second World War. The most successful operations were actions against the IRA in Ireland, Holland, and Germany. Participated in thousands of operations from the Sahara to Malaysia. The most famous operation is the release of hostages in the Iranian embassy in London in 1980. A combined detachment of employees of the Increment regiment acts in the interests of foreign intelligence MI6.
• SBS (Special Boat Service) is a special unit of the British Navy.

Germany

• Army special forces
• 1st Special Airborne Division of the Bundeswehr.
• DSO (German) Division Spezialle Operationen) - special operations division of the Bundeswehr.
• GebJgBrg 23 - 23 Alpine Rifle Brigade, consisting of 3 mountain rifle battalions, a mountain artillery battalion, 2 mountain tank companies, a reserve company, a support company and a company for training and using animals.
• KSK (German) Kommando Spezialkräfte) - a special unit of the German ground forces. The group's tasks include conducting reconnaissance and sabotage activities.

Navy

• SEK M is a special forces unit of the German Navy, whose mission is to conduct special operations abroad. Number of people: 800-1000 people.
• German Marines are an elite unit designed to conduct critical combat operations as part of amphibious assault forces. Is a highly mobile amphibious force constant readiness, capable of independently operating anywhere in the world and in any climatic zones. Number of people: 1000 people.

Police special forces

• GSG 9 is an anti-terrorist unit of the German Federal Police. Number of people: 300 people. According to the state, it is a division of the border control agency. According to German law, the group cannot be used outside the country, but sometimes this law is circumvented.

Israel

• Most of the country's special forces are subordinate to the IDF - the Israel Defense Forces, some - to the Israeli police and intelligence services. All special forces regularly participate in combat and real combat operations. Most special forces are staffed by conscripts. The special forces of the Nachshon prison service and the anti-terrorist units YAMAM and LOTAR Eilat are staffed on a professional basis. To serve in special forces, a medical profile of “97” (the highest) is required. Conscripts who are fit for health reasons are sent an offer approximately six months before conscription to undergo “gibush” (“rally” - Hebrew) - selection for service in special forces. Gibush take place on a voluntary basis, only those who wish to do so. Over the course of 2-3 days, candidates undergoing gibush perform various tests for physical and intellectual fitness for service - in a stressful environment, in conditions of hunger, fatigue, lack of time and sleep. People are identified who can endure difficulties and work in a team. Those who pass the selection are drafted into the appropriate units. In Sayeret Matkal, Shaldag, Maglan and Shayetet-13, for the pilot course and for the naval officer course, the gibush is carried out separately in each of the units, for the remaining units the gibush is general, the BAKUM (military registration and enlistment office) decides which unit to recruit to. For service in Sayeret Matkal and for courses for pilots and naval officers, gibush can be carried out within a week. Those who do not pass can pass through to other units. To serve in these units (where there is a separate gibush) a certain level of clearance (“sivug bithoni”) is required, mandatory conditions are residence in Israel for more than 5 years, no relatives abroad. Only children in the family (“ben yachid”) are not accepted, as an exception - with the written consent of the conscript’s parents. In reconnaissance companies of infantry brigades (Golani, Givati, Tsanhanim, Nahal and Kfir), killing is carried out after conscription, within the unit, before the young fighter’s course (“tironut”). To serve in the “Psagot” and “TIBAM” units, a specialized higher education obtained before conscription is required (an appropriate deferment before conscription is provided - “atuda akademai”). Service in special forces is extremely honorable and prestigious, guaranteeing a “worthy place in life” after demobilization. Conscripts who dream of getting into them begin to independently prepare for death during their school years.

Israel Defense Forces Special Forces

• "Sayeret Matkal" - "Compound 101", special forces of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. He specializes in intelligence and security operations abroad, and also carries out anti-terrorist measures together with YAMAM in the country and independently abroad. The only unit of this level in the world that is staffed by conscripts. Military personnel, during their service, usually sign a contract under which the service period is 6 years, instead of 3, as in the entire IDF (Israel Defense Forces).

"Maglan"- “Long-Range Anti-Tank Missile Unit.” The most secret special unit of the IDF, except for the name, there is practically no information in the public domain. It is armed with Nimrod missiles - launch range 30-50 km, hit accuracy - tens of centimeters (with laser correction by an observer near the target), disassembled and carried by two soldiers or transported in a jeep. Used for targeted destruction of particularly important targets. It is possible that it has something to do with Israel’s nuclear potential.

"Duvdevan" ("cherry")- also known as Unit 217. The main goal is the targeted destruction or arrest of terrorists in the Palestinian territories with the help of external transformation into Arabs (Yehidat Mistaaravim - a unit of pseudo-Arabs). One of the selection criteria for service is the absence of a typical Jewish appearance, preferably an appearance similar to an Arab, and fluent knowledge of the Arabic language.

Sayeret "Egoz" ("walnut")- Unit621. The goal is to fight the partisans. Organizationally, it is part of the Golani infantry brigade, but in reality it acts independently. Since 1995, it has killed more terrorists than any other unit. Engaged in the destruction of ambushes organized by terrorists with the aim of kidnapping IDF soldiers and the destruction of NURS launchers firing at Israeli territory. Those who “fallen” (could not meet the requirements for service) from Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet-13 and Sayeret Shaldag are usually sent to serve in “Egoz”.

"Sayeret Shaked" (almond), another version of the decoding of the name “Shomrei Kav Darom” - guarding the southern border) - a special unit of the Southern Military District. Specialized in operations in the Gaza Strip and the Negev Desert. It was staffed mainly by Bedouins and Druze, the officers were Jews. Showed outstanding performance during the Six Day War, the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War. Currently disbanded as a separate special forces unit. As usual infantry battalion transferred to the Givati ​​brigade (in 1983).

"Okets" ("sting"), Unit 7142- special canine unit.

"Yakhalom" ("diamond" or "brilliant")- special forces engineering troops(detonation or clearance of targets, solving engineering problems behind enemy lines). Usually works closely with Sayeret Matkal during operations.

"Rimon" ("Garnet")- a special unit as part of the Givati ​​infantry brigade, a special anti-terrorist unit deployed on the border with Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

"Sayeret Golani, Sayeret Givati, Sayeret Tsanhanim, Sayeret Nahal"- reconnaissance companies of the corresponding infantry brigades. In addition to army reconnaissance and sabotage training, they undergo the LOTAR (fight against terror) course. They act during hostilities in the interests of their units, in their sector of the front. Can be used to support other special forces and as auxiliary anti-terrorism units. Sayeret Tsankhanim (reconnaissance unit of the parachute brigade) - participated together with Sayeret Matkal in the operation to free the hostages in Entebbe.

Unit 5114 - Psagot battalion— Special communications and electronic countermeasures unit. Engaged in ensuring communications with other special forces during operations, suppressing enemy communication systems and target detection. Operates in the area of ​​operation, has training at the level of other special forces.

TIBAM Division - “Tikhnut be-Ezrat Makhshev”— computer planning. A special unit of “hackers”, acting in the interests of other special units. Hacking enemy computer systems, protecting our own, three-dimensional modeling of the operation object, etc. Operates in the operation zone, has appropriate combat training.

Unit 869 - Modiin Sade unit» - field reconnaissance. Permanently attached to Sayeret Matkal. Provides other units with intelligence information about the operation area, monitors changes in the situation during the planning and conduct of the operation, and clarifies the achieved results of the operation. Has appropriate combat training.

Israeli Air Force Special Forces

"Shaldag" ("kingfisher")- Israeli Air Force special forces. Tasks: reconnaissance of targets in the interests of the Air Force, air guidance, finishing off and clearing the target after an air strike. One of the three most prepared units (the other two are Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet-13). Sayeret Shaldag operated illegally in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. He was engaged in the “hunt for SCUDs” in the interests of Israel, separately from the United States and its allies.

Unit 669- Israeli Air Force special forces. Tasks: rescuing downed pilots, evacuating fighters from behind the front line, air evacuation from the battlefield. To maintain combat readiness, it also evacuates citizens in extreme situations.

Course "Tais"- Israeli Air Force pilot training course. It has nothing to do with special forces, but those expelled from the course, as a rule, are sent to serve in Sayeret Matkal, Sayeret Shaldag and other special units. On average, one out of ten applicants completes the course.

Israeli Navy Special Forces

“Shayetet 13” (Flotilla 13, Shayetet Shlosh-esre, “shayat”, Commando Yami) - special forces of the Israeli Navy. Performs tasks similar to Sayeret Matkal (reconnaissance, sabotage, anti-terrorism), but related to operations at sea. (“Yam” - sea, Hebrew).

"Kurs Hovlim"— Israeli Navy officer training course. Trainees are brought to the level of combat training corresponding to other special forces. The course is distinguished by a very high level of intellectual and physical activity, and particularly stringent service conditions. Those expelled from the course, as a rule, are sent to complete their service in Shayetet 13.

Special Forces Mossad

"Kidon" ("Bayonet")- a special unit within the Metzada department (security operations department) in the Mossad. Objectives: liquidation and kidnapping of Israel's opponents abroad. It is staffed by soldiers who served in the IDF, in various special forces, after additional training at the MOSSAD Academy and obtaining the qualification “Katsa” (MOSSAD operations officer). The actions of “Kidon” are shown in the feature films “Sword of Gideon”, “Munich” (dir. S. Spielberg).

Israel Police Special Forces

YAMAM - (Yehida Merkazit Meuhedet - Special central unit), formally - part of Magav, in reality - acts independently, the main anti-terrorist unit of the Israeli Police. Some tactical developments of YAMAM and elements of its training were used in the USSR when creating the Alpha and Vympel groups.

YAMAS (short for "Yehidat Mista'aravim") - a unit of “pseudo-Arabs”, part of Magav. It solves the same problems as “Duvdevan” - targeted destruction of terrorists in the Palestinian territories. The difference from Duvdevan is that he works more through the police. Detection, destruction and capture of criminals hiding in Arab territories. Duvdevan is more involved with paramilitary terrorist organizations - Hamas, Hezbollah, which have their own large units and military facilities (large enough targets for an army unit).

YASAM “Yehidat Siyur Miyukhedet” — detaining especially dangerous criminals, patrolling in the Palestinian territories, suppressing local unrest, dispersing demonstrations. Something between riot police and SOBR.

LOTAR Eilat (“LOTAR” - “Lohama be Terror” - Counter-Terrorism), Unit 7707, is a separate small anti-terrorism unit operating in and around the city of Eilat, due to Eilat's geographic distance from the rest of the country and its proximity to the Egyptian and Jordanian borders. In terms of training and equipment, it is identical to YAMAM. He copes with small situations on his own, but in case of major problems and the arrival of YAMAM, he comes under his operational subordination.

Others

Mishmar Ha-Knesset "Knesset Guard" a special unit whose task is to protect and defend the administrative building of parliament and the personnel located in it.

Nachshon (named after the biblical character Nachshon ben Aminadawai — Special unit of the Shabash of the Israeli Prisons Administration (outdated name: ABAM - avtaha ve mivtsayim - security and operations) - solving sudden problems in penal institutions (liquidation of riots, release of hostages, conducting searches, etc.), as well as escorting special dangerous criminals when moving them across the country or abroad and ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers when they receive threats from prisoners and their accomplices (has the right to operational activities). It is staffed on a professional basis, mainly from people who served in MAGAV. Since 2005, it has its own canine unit (separate from “Okets”) and recruits women (to work with female prisoners). Works closely with the police and Shin Bet (Sherut Bitakhon Klali, Shin Bet - “Main Security Service”, Israeli counterintelligence).

Shin Bet (Sherut Bitakhon Klali, Shin Bet - “General Security Service”, Israeli counterintelligence) - also has its own special forces. The name, number, tasks performed are unknown.

Most Israeli special forces are recruited from conscripts. Those who have completed their military service are in the reserve and perform the “Miluim” reservist service. At any time they can be recruited to participate in special operations, replenish their units or form new special forces, if necessary.

Iraq (during the reign of Saddam Hussein)

Special forces of the Main Directorate of Foreign Intelligence

Ku'uat 999- special intelligence unit. Consisted of 7 battalions with highly trained personnel. Each battalion had its own service sector. The 7th Battalion supported activities against the United States. The soldiers studied foreign languages ​​at the native level, customs and traditions of the country of service.

Republican Guard Special Forces

Separate brigade for the protection of the president.

Special Republican Guard ("Al-Harith al-Jamhuri al-Khas") - SRG, it was also called the “Golden Division”.

Iran

2 commando divisions — Special units of the ground forces;

SSN "Code" — Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Ireland

ARW (Army Ranger Wing)- a universal special forces unit capable of solving problems on land, on water, under water, in the mountains, in the jungle and desert.

Spain

Civil Guard Special Forces

GAR (Grupos Antiterroristas Rurales)- anti-terrorist unit. Mainly operates in the north of the country against Basque separatists.

UEI (Unidad Especial de Intervencion)- anti-terrorist unit. The task includes the release of hostages, carrying out reconnaissance and sabotage activities in temporarily occupied territory, and organizing guerrilla warfare. The fighters undergo parachute, mountaineering, and underwater training.

Police special forces

GEO (Grupo Especial para los Operaciones)- a police anti-terrorism unit in which the best specialists from the Spanish intelligence services come to serve.

Italy

• Italian special forces are coordinated by a special center, Operatori Speciali Servizio Informazioni (O.S.S.I).

Italian Army Special Forces

COL MOSCHIN - 9th Parachute Regiment.

Italian Navy Special Forces

Italian Marine Corps- amphibious assault, capture and retention of the enemy’s coastline, protection of our own naval bases.

TESEO TESEI- a detachment of combat swimmers (Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori).

Police special forces

Gruppo Intervento Speciale (G.I.S.) - a special anti-terrorist unit of the Carabinieri.

Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza (N.O.C.S.) — special unit for the protection and defense of nuclear facilities. The task of N.O.C.S., in addition, includes carrying out anti-terrorist measures at these facilities.

Canada

Army special forces

First Parachute Battalion (1st b).

First Special Purpose Service (1SSN).

JTF-2- anti-terrorist unit.

DPRK

Special Operations Forces of the People's Army of the DPRK

The largest special forces in the world - more than 90 thousand people. It consists of 10 “sniper” brigades, 12 light infantry brigades, 17 separate reconnaissance battalions and 1 airborne battalion. Service life - 8 years.

China

Special units of the Chinese People's Republic divided into MTR (special operations forces) of the ground forces and MTR of the navy

MTR of the ground forces

"DaDui"— combat-ready units capable of conducting reconnaissance and combat operations in local conflicts in the context of the use of high technology.

In addition, army groups, field divisions and regiments also have units that are limitedly capable of conducting special reconnaissance and special operations. Each of the 18 army groups includes a special reconnaissance group, which can be equivalent in size and combat capabilities to a separate battalion. Each division includes a special reconnaissance company of about 120 people. Each regiment has a special reconnaissance platoon of 30 to 40 people.

All of these units should also be considered part of the ground forces of special operations of the Chinese Armed Forces, since they are capable of conducting direct impact actions and conducting special reconnaissance. The level of their training and equipment is comparable to the level of special forces groups in military areas.

MTR of the Navy

Reconnaissance company, marine divisions of the Southern Fleet. The company is stationed in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province and is located separately from the rest of the Marine Division, approximately five kilometers away. The company size is about 100 people. It organizationally consists of a headquarters and two platoons of 30 people each. The company also includes a unit of combat swimmers of up to 40 people.

Kyrgyzstan

Army special forces

Scorpion- 25th separate air assault brigade for special purposes. Scorpio fighters wear a green beret with an image of a scorpion printed on it.

Ilbirs- special forces brigade, part of the South-Western Regional Command

Separate mountain rifle battalion for special purposes

Karakurt- special forces of the Ministry of Defense of Kyrgyzstan

Special forces of the State Committee for National Security

Alpha- anti-terrorist unit.

Kalkan- combat operations department

National Guard Special Forces

Panther- air assault brigade

Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

CHER- anti-terrorism and fight against crime.

The special forces detachment "SHER" was created to fight crime, illegal gangs, liquidate their bases and protect the constitutional rights of citizens. The detachment consists of professionally trained officers and warrant officers who have undergone special training in Turkey, China, the USA and Russia. Every year in the fall, military personnel take exams for the right to carry " maroon beret » The founder and commander of the detachment was Colonel A.A. Shamsutdinov

Special forces of the State Security Service

Arstan- a secret sabotage and reconnaissance unit, also provides security for the top officials of Kyrgyzstan and guests of the Kyrgyz Republic, disbanded after the 2010 revolution.

Special forces of the Drug Control Agency (DCA)

Kyrgyi- a unit that carries out reconnaissance, surveillance and further special operations against drug trafficking and the detention of drug traffickers. They cooperate with the Border Troops unit “Boru”.

Special forces of the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security

Boru— fight against terror and combat cover in border zones. Deployed in dangerous border areas (on the borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan)

Special forces of the State Penitentiary Service

Omega- special forces of the State Penitentiary Service. The main functions are the suppression of riots and unrest in the institutions of the State Penitentiary Service, combat cover during the transfer of especially dangerous criminals.

Police special forces

SOBR- special rapid response units located in regional centers

OMSN— special purpose police detachment, special forces groups are located in each district department of internal affairs

Moldova and Transnistria

Specific government structure Moldova and the presence in its composition of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic determines the presence in this country of two armed forces independent of each other, and in the recent past, they fought among themselves.

Special Forces of Moldova

OPON- special police squad. The units took an active part in the Transnistrian conflict.

Foulgere- anti-terrorist unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova.

Special forces of Transnistria

Presidential Security Service.

Dniester- separate special purpose brigade of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the PMR. The brigade includes special forces

Cobra- separate special purpose reconnaissance company

SOBR- a special police rapid response unit.

Delta- special unit of the MGB of the PMR.

Special Forces Group in the amount of 14 people, consisting of former GRU special forces soldiers. Formed as part of the 2nd Battalion of the National Guard.

Special purpose detachment of the PMR Ministry of Defense.

Special forces squad "Scorpion" of the Ministry of Justice of the PMR

Norway

Army special forces

H.J.S.- paratroop special reconnaissance unit.

H.J.K.(Jegerkommando) - reformed from HFJS (Haerens Fallskjermjegerskole), reconnaissance and sabotage unit. In 2006, HJK was officially renamed Fosvarets Spesialkommando/Haerens Jegerkommando (FSK/HJK)

FSK(Fosvarets Spesialkommando) - anti-sabotage, anti-terrorist unit. The main task is to assist the police in the fight against terrorism and protect oil rigs in the North Sea.

Navy Special Forces

M.J.K.(Minedykkertroppen) - anti-sabotage unit.

M.J.L.(Marinejegerlot) - underwater sabotage unit. In 1991, renamed MJK (Marinejegerkommandoen).

MDK(Marinejegerkommandoen) - the Mine Diver Command.

Peru

FOES(Fuerza de Operaciones Especiales) - reconnaissance and sabotage unit, consists of paratroopers and combat swimmers. The division is divided into three groups (Grupos de Operaciones Especiales), each of which serves a different region of the country:

GOE-center - located in Callao;

GOE- north - to Caleta Cruz;

GOE- northeast - in the Peruvian jungle, its location is in Pukaypo - (Pucallpo).

Poland

Special forces of the Armed Forces

Thunder(Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego) mobile rapid response group is a special unit of the Polish Army.

1st Special Commando Regiment; military unit of the Special Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. Assault, combat swimmers.

Formosa- (Morska Jednostka Działań Specjalnych “Formoza”) a special Polish naval unit, consisting of combat swimmers.

Police special forces

SPAP- Samodzielny Pododdział Antyterrorystyczny Policji special police units are available in all voivodeships, their tasks are anti-terrorism, detaining armed criminals.

Portugal

Army special forces

Commando Battalion(Batalhão de Comandos) - part of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, assault unit (400 people)

Special Forces Squad(Força de Operações Especiais) - part of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, an anti-terrorist unit for operations outside the country (200 people)

Pathfinder Company(Companhia de Precursores Aeroterrestres) - special forces airborne troops, assigned to the Parachute Troops School, acts in the interests of the parachute battalions of the Rapid Reaction Brigade; unit of paratroopers from extreme heights, preparation and reconnaissance of landing bridgeheads (70 people)

Navy Special Forces

Detachment of sapper divers(Destacamentos de Mergulhadores Sapadores) - are administratively subordinate to the fleet command and operationally subordinate to the operational naval command in Oeiras.

Marine Special Forces Division(Destacamento de Acções Especiais) - subordinate to the command of the Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros), numbering no more than 20 people.

National Republican Guard Special Forces

Presidential Guard Squadron(Esquadrão Presidencial) - presidential security unit;

Grupo de Intervenção de Operações Especiais (GIOE)- special forces of the Republican Guard;

Police special forces

Grupo de Operacoes Especiais (GOE)) - an anti-terrorist special unit within the public security police (Policia de Seguranca Publica). Number - 150 people.

Romania

Army special forces

Vulturii— Special Operations Battalion. The deployment of the battalion until 2006 was a state secret, until the Chief of Staff of the US Armed Forces visited it, and the American Embassy in Romania published a press release in this regard, which caused a huge diplomatic scandal. Until this moment, the Romanian intelligence services carried out a number of actions to exclude any discussion of issues about this unit (purpose, name, deployment) on the Internet. Some providers have been prosecuted for such attempts.

HUMINT— Special Operations Battalion. Created on the basis of the 404th reconnaissance and sabotage battalion of the General Staff. At this moment, the battalion has 200 personnel.

HUMINT&CI— NATO Intelligence and Counterintelligence Center, with a Romanian component (Сentru de excelenta de spionaj si contraspionaj al Aliantei Nord-Atlantice, cu componenta romaneasca).

Saudi Arabia

National Guard- special units staffed by Bedouins, adherents of Wahhabism. Created as a counterweight to the army to protect the monarchy.

Brigade No. 1 special purpose named after Faisal bin Turki.

Special anti-terrorist unit. The unit is the most secret in the Arab world, and therefore its departmental affiliation and staff are unknown. It first manifested itself in March 2001, when he had to storm a Russian Tu-154 captured by four Chechen terrorists and landed in Medina. Then his actions, which resulted in the death of three people (including flight attendant Yulia Fomina, who died from a special forces bullet), were harshly criticized by employees of the FSB Special Operations Center.

Serbia

• 72nd Commando Reconnaissance Battalion
• Counter-Terrorist Group of Serbia (PTJ, Anti Terrorist Jedinica)
• Gendarmerie (Serbia)
• Special Anti-Terrorist Group (SAI, Special Anti-Terrorism Unit)
• Special brigade

Syria

• Syrian ground special forces:
• Special purpose division (three regiments).
• Separate special forces regiments (18 regiments in total).
• All units have combat experience.

USA

"FBI SWAT Teams"- this special unit within the FBI was created to combat terrorism and especially dangerous criminals. FBI SWAT tasks: neutralize or destroy terrorists, free hostages, storm buildings, prevent terrorist acts.

"Hostage Rescue Team"- FBI anti-terrorism special unit.

"SWAT» (originally English) Special Weapons Assault Team; now English Special Weapons And Tactics) - special units of the US police.

"SRT"(Special Reaction Team) - military police units in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force of the United States, created to respond to situations high risk within the same military base or formation. The units are equivalent to FBI SWAT or SWAT teams.

The US Armed Forces operate the US Special Operations Command, which includes the United States Special Operations Forces. A common mistake is to call the SOF “US Special Forces,” which is incorrect, since only the Green Berets are “special forces.”

"US Army Special Forces Green Berets" are special operations groups of the US Army. There are 5 groups in the regular army and 2 in the national guard. Each group includes 3 battalions and has about 1,500 people. Each regular army group has its own area of ​​responsibility: Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Latin America. The Green Berets specialize in counter-guerrilla warfare and sabotage operations. The only one US special forces. Under the command of USASFC (United States Army Special Forces Command), which reports to USASOC (United States Army Special Operations Command), which in turn reports to USSOCOM.

75th Army Ranger Regiment The US Army is the oldest unit of the US SOF of the American Army. Currently consolidated into the 75th Ranger Regiment. They specialize in conducting force (“raid” in American terminology) operations. They have the structure of a standard infantry regiment. In service are all types of the most powerful weapons, which can be carried manually. The personnel of the deep reconnaissance companies attached to each corps have weapons and training similar to the Rangers, although they do not formally belong to the Special Operations Command. The regiment reports to USASOC.

First Special Forces Operational Detachment "Delta"(First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta aka 1st SFOD-D) is an operational detachment of the American Army. Created in 1977. Moreover, at first it was planned to create anti-terrorism groups in the United States on the basis of the Green Berets, but the high command of the US Armed Forces decided to create new forces. Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The detachment consists of 3 battalions. It is staffed by the best rangers and special forces. It is part of JSOC - Joint Special Operations Command, one of the components of US SOCOM along with the Army, Marine, Air Force and Marine commands. It is known that the Charlie Platoon of the Delta Force participated in the operation in Mogadishu (1993), in Operation Acid Gambit to free an American citizen. Consolidated from DEVGRU into JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command), receiving the name Combat Applications Group (CAG).

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment "Night Stalkers"(Special Operations Air Regiment) - unit army aviation, acting in the interests of American special forces and MTR. Equipped with helicopters. It can also act as an independent combat unit. Part of USSOCOM.

"SEAL"— The US Navy Special Forces are often called “seals” or “seals” in the media. It is part of NAVSOC, which in turn is subordinate to USSOCOM (as well as the MTR Command of other branches of the military), however, it is not directly subordinate to USSOCOM.

Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) or DEVGRU (DEVelopment GRoUp) is the former SEAL Team Six, formed by Richard Marchenko. Together with CAG, it is one of the two main counterterrorism units of the US SOF, under the command of USSOCOM.

US Marine Force Recon (FORECON)— USMC intelligence is considered the elite of an elite branch of the military. The first Marine reconnaissance units were formed during World War II and were called “raiders.” In 2001, during an anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan, fighters of this special unit captured the airport in Kandahar, which ensured the safe landing of the main allied forces. The main task of KMP reconnaissance is to conduct covert reconnaissance operations at a considerable distance from the coast. Marine Intelligence conducts its operations only in favor of the Corps—Force Recon does not report directly to USSOCOM.

United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)- USMC reconnaissance units under the command of MARSOC (Marine Special Operations Command) (hence, under USSOCOM). Unlike FORECON, it is a unit of the Marine Corps, directly subordinate to USSOCOM.

Turkmenistan

• Due to the closed nature of Turkmenistan, information about the special units of this country is limited. Due to the fact that Turkmenistan has not been at war since gaining independence, and the operational situation in the country has remained calm, experts believe that its special forces are less combat-ready compared to similar units of Central Asian states.
• Army special forces
• Separate air assault battalion (formerly 4th battalion of the 56th parachute brigade).

Special forces of the Ministry of National Security

• Special conduct for carrying out sabotage and reconnaissance activities during a special period (created on the basis of a freelance group of the KGB under the Alarm Plan.
• Rubezh is a special unit of the border troops of the Ministry of National Security.

Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

• Special police unit (created on the basis of riot police).
• A special unit of the penitentiary system (analogous to the OSN FSIN) - a staff of 20 people, designed to solve problems within penal institutions (riot, hostage-taking, etc.)

Türkiye

Special Forces of the General Staff

• OKK (Special Purpose Command) is a special reconnaissance unit, better known as “burgundy berets” whose task includes conducting reconnaissance and sabotage activities and organizing partisan movement in temporarily occupied territories.

Army special forces

• 1st Commando Brigade - task - anti-intelligence and anti-sabotage activities, based near Kayseri.
• 2nd Commando Brigade - based in Bolu.
• SAS, Su Alti Savunma, Navy Special Forces, Marines - based in Izmir
• SAT, Su Alti Taaruz, Navy special forces, combat swimmers (sabotage special forces)
• Special detachment of mountain rangers.

Navy Special Forces

• SAT (Su Altı Taaruz) is a unit of combat swimmers.
• Marine brigade - based near Izmir.

Uzbekistan

• Army special forces
• Special Operations Forces Brigade (BSSO).
• Special forces of the National Security Service
• Detachment “C” is an anti-terrorist unit (analogous to the Russian Alpha).
• Special purpose brigade "Kalkon" (Shield).

Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Separate Rapid Reaction Brigade (SRBR) Previously, the special forces of Uzbekistan were trained in Russian training centers and were trained by Russian instructors. After the cooling of relations with Russia, Uzbek special forces are trained by specialists from the USA, Turkey, and Great Britain. There is also an OBSO (separate special operations battalion) “Kaplan” (“Lynx”), created in 2001 similar to the high-mountain alpine units of Austria (“Jagdkomand”), consisting exclusively of employees with an officer rank who have undergone special training, including themselves, the ability to withstand extreme stress on the body caused by high-altitude conditions, the ability to adequately respond to the slightest changes in the operational situation, and other abilities that put them on an equal level with many special forces in the world.

Ukraine

• Special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
• 10th separate special forces detachment (Kyiv);
• 3rd separate special purpose regiment (Kirovograd);
• 8th separate special purpose regiment (Khmelnitsky);
• Separate reconnaissance and mountain infantry battalions of the Ground Forces of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
• 29th separate reconnaissance battalion (Rivne)
• 54th separate reconnaissance battalion (Novograd-Volynsky)
• 502nd separate reconnaissance and electronic warfare battalion. Cherkasy Novomoskovsk district Dnipropetrovsk region
• 15th separate mountain infantry battalion (Uzhgorod) as part of the 128th mechanized brigade (Mukachevo)
• Also, the 12 tank and mechanized formations (units) of the Ground Forces have reconnaissance
• Airmobile (landing) units and formations of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
• 25th separate Dnepropetrovsk airborne brigade village Gvardeyskoye Novomoskovsk district Dnipropetrovsk region
• 79th separate airmobile brigade (Nikolaev)
• 95th separate airmobile brigade (Zhitomir)
• 80th separate airmobile regiment (Lviv)
• 102nd separate warehouse of parachute equipment and equipment (Zhitomir) (part of the support)
• 13th separate airmobile battalion (Zhitomir) as part of the 95th separate airmobile brigade (Zhitomir)

Training units of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

• 50th separate training detachment of special training (as separate battalion) (Kirovograd)
• training airmobile battalion 354 training mechanized regiment of the town. Desna Chernihiv region
• reconnaissance training company of the 300th training tank regiment of the village. Desna Chernigov region.
• sniper training company of the 300th training tank regiment of the village. Desna Chernigov region.

Special Forces of the Ukrainian Navy

• 801st separate detachment for combating underwater sabotage forces and means (Sevastopol). It includes an anti-combat swimmer team, a special forces group and support units.
• 73rd Naval Center for Special Operations of the Ukrainian Navy (Ochakov).
• 1st Marine Battalion (Feodosia). Designed for amphibious operations and use as shock troops in other types of combat operations. The tasks include capturing the coastline, port infrastructure, holding a bridgehead to ensure the transfer and landing of ground forces, as well as the capture of enemy ships and vessels.
• Reconnaissance company, reconnaissance platoon of the mountain infantry battalion of the 36th brigade of the Ukrainian Navy
• [edit] Special forces of the military law enforcement service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Anti-terrorism operations in the event of the capture of high-ranking officials officials and strategic facilities of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
• Special Purpose Department of the Northern Territorial Administration of the Military Law Enforcement Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Special Purpose Department of the Southern Territorial Administration of the Military Law Enforcement Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Special Purpose Department of the Western Territorial Administration of the Military Law Enforcement Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Special forces of the Ukrainian border service

• mobile border detachment (Bortnichi); at the headquarters of the border service of Ukraine (Kyiv)
• detachment "Foros" - security of special objects;
• separate mobile border outpost Eastern direction border services of Ukraine;
• a separate mobile border outpost of the Northern direction of the Ukrainian border service;
• a separate mobile border outpost of the Western direction of the Ukrainian border service;
• a separate mobile border outpost of the Southern direction of the Ukrainian border service;
• a separate mobile border outpost of the Azov-Black Sea direction of the Ukrainian border service;
• mobile outposts of border detachments.

Special Forces of the Security Service of Ukraine

Police special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

Golden eagle- a special unit of the Ukrainian police (analogous to the Russian riot police). After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Ukraine received 5 riot police units located on its territory. Subsequently, they and the operational/special companies of the PPSM were renamed into the Berkut special forces. Structurally, it consists of regiments, battalions, and companies located in all regional centers of Ukraine, Kyiv, and Sevastopol. The main tasks are actions in conditions of extremely complicated operational conditions, the elimination of group hooliganism and riots, the detention or liquidation of armed criminals, and force support for events carried out by local police departments. In normal circumstances, Berkut carries out patrol service to protect public order and is engaged in service training.

Falcon- special unit of the Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. It is staffed mainly by officers. "Sokol" Structurally, it is the special operations department of the regional Organized Crime Control Department. Designed to capture especially dangerous criminals, free hostages, and provide force support for the activities of BOP units.

Titanium- special unit of the State Security Service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (located in regional centers under the State Security Service). The tasks of the unit include the protection and defense of particularly important and particularly valuable cargo and objects in conditions of increased danger or extreme complications of the operational situation, as well as the provision of security services on a commercial basis to individuals and legal entities.

Griffin- special battalion (company) of the judicial police. The task includes the protection of judges and participants in court hearings in particularly high-profile trials, when the latter’s lives are in real danger, and the protection of participants in the witness protection program.

Cobra- special unit of the traffic police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The task includes patrolling roads of regional and state significance, searching for stolen vehicles, searching for criminals who have fled from investigation and trial, and combating illegal trafficking in weapons and narcotic drugs. In addition, special forces officers provide escort for top officials of the state and foreign delegations. In 2008, the units were disbanded. In 2010, the unit was restored and staffed with employees transferred from the Berkut and Sokol units. The uniform is standard for traffic police officers, the only difference being white shirts.

Omega- a separate special purpose brigade of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine at military unit 3027.

Special forces GDUVIN

• Special unit of the State Department of Ukraine for the execution of punishments. The task of the unit is to carry out special measures in places of deprivation of liberty and temporary detention facilities for arrested persons (pre-trial detention centers, prisons): combating riots, releasing hostages, etc.

Medical special forces

• 699 MOSN at 408 OVG Kyiv

France

• Special Operations Command (General Commandant les Operations Speciales (GCOS) Unites under its command all units and formations available in the armed forces intended for conducting reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines, as well as carrying out sabotage actions and other special activities, and units supporting them Objectives: providing military assistance, which consists of training foreign military personnel, mainly African states that have entered into a military assistance agreement with France, conducting military support operations - using the experience of conducting deep raids on enemy territory, fighting terrorism, influence operations. - involve conducting psychological operations.

GCOS includes:

Units of the Separate Special Command (GSA)— Groupment special autonome:

1st Marine Parachute Regiment- (1 Regiment parachutiste d’infanterie de marine, 1er RPIMa), despite the name it has nothing to do with the Marine Corps. With SAS roots at its core, the 1st Regiment is quite similar to its British counterpart. In order to join the regiment, volunteer candidates undergo a rigorous selection process. The regiment consists of a headquarters, a command and general services company, a training company and three RAPAS combat companies. The training company, if necessary, is capable of forming an additional four RAPAS companies. Each of the RAPAS companies has a specialization:

1st company is intended to conduct operations outside the city, crossing water barriers and protecting and escorting especially important persons.

The 2nd company specializes in operations in urban areas, sabotage and sniping. In addition, company soldiers are trained in the use of mine explosives, and also practice “breaking and entering” techniques.

The 3rd company provides fire support with heavy mortar fire, air defense, and also conducts reconnaissance on light all-terrain vehicles.

Special Operations Aviation Detachment(Detachment aerien des operations speciales).

• Five naval special forces units that are part of the Marine Corps and Special Forces Command - Commandement des fusiliers - marins commandos (COFUSCO).

Air Force special forces. These include:

Tenth Parachute Commando Company Air Force— Commando parachutiste de l’air No. 10 (CPA 10). One of the main tasks of the company is to carry out rescue operations on enemy territory for pilots of downed aircraft.

Helicopter Special Operations Squadron— Escadrille des helicopteres speciaux (EHS).

Air Divisionspecialoperations— Division des operations speciales (DOS).

Special forces of the French ground forces

• The 2nd Parachute Regiment of the Foreign Legion is not formally classified as special forces.

French Navy Special Forces

• Traditionally, special forces of the French Navy are named after officers former first commanders.
• de Penfentegno
• de Montfort
• Hubert - a squad of combat swimmers.
• Joubert
• Francois. In one of the battles in Indochina, the detachment lost half of its personnel, after which it was withdrawn from the special forces and reorganized into a reserve unit.
• naval commando units "Trepel".
• The five remaining units are the French equivalent of the British SBS - Special boat squodron and the American SEALs. However, the Hubert squad stands out from the general list. It is fully staffed with combat swimmers.
• [edit] Special forces of the French gendarmerie
• GIGN is a special purpose anti-terrorist unit. Objectives: carrying out anti-terrorist measures, freeing hostages.

South Africa

• 1 detachment RECCE (Reconnaissance Commando - reconnaissance group) - reconnaissance and sabotage unit (disbanded in 1997).
• 2nd detachment RECCE - reconnaissance and sabotage unit.
• 3rd Detachment RECCE - reconnaissance and sabotage unit.
• 4th detachment RECCE - a unit of special reconnaissance and sabotage work on the water.
• 5th RECCE detachment is a reconnaissance and sabotage unit.
• 6th detachment RECCE - reconnaissance and sabotage unit.
• 32nd Buffalo Battalion

Yugoslavia

Army special forces

• 63 airborne brigade"Sky Otters"
• 72nd Special Forces Brigade "Mighty Hawks".
• Cobra is an anti-terrorist unit.
• Sokolovi is an anti-terrorist unit.
• Special military police battalions are anti-terrorist units.
• Special local defense battalions.

Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

SAJ (Specijalna Antiteroristicka Jedinica)- anti-terrorist unit.

Special purpose battalions (one under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of each republic).

Japan

• Special Assault Team ( English) (Japanese) Tokushu Kyūshū Butai ? ) - anti-terrorist unit of the National Police Agency of Japan ( English)