Special forces have captured the imagination of popular culture in the United States for quite some time, and often bring to mind video games like Call of Duty or movies such as the Black Hawk Down. There’s considerable prestige associated within militaries with the warrior elite! These are top-notch units of the armed forces made up of the finest soldiers recruited from across the country to perform special operations. What sets these operators apart from the rest is their high level of rigorous training and strong personality traits including bravery and resilient mentality.
While historically, special forces worked in small units and were only called in for critical missions, over time, their role has expanded throughout the world, especially because of the global war on terror. Special forces in the US for example under the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) grew from 38,000 personnel before the 2001 9/11 attacks to 73,000 by 2020, with their budget also seeing a 495% spike from $2.3 billion to $13.7 billion during this period.
Considering the complex challenges these forces undertake, the US military is equipping their special forces operators with sophisticated equipment to dominate the battlefield and overcome challenging scenarios that come in their way. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) announced in July 2023 that its Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) had achieved initial operational capability – a project it had been working on for decades.
Two DCSs have been provided to the Navy by Lockheed Martin Corporation, with work ongoing on the third. According to the company, these submersibles will provide the Navy SEALs the ability to travel well below the surface of the ocean without wetsuits and get in and out of the vehicles undetected while being entirely submerged. Lockheed Martin Corporation is a key industrial partner of the American special forces, and also the primary contractor for SOCOM’s logistics and sustainment support program.
The US Navy is aggressively ramping up its seabed capabilities as well. According to a report, the Navy, with an eye on protecting assets deep in the ocean, has commissioned a next-generation attack submarine, work on which is already underway at the General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD). The submarine will be used for the Navy SEALs to perform covert operations along the floor of the operation to tap deep sea communication cables and retrieve parts of missiles and rockets tested underwater.
SOCOM is also upgrading its MH-47G Chinook fleet as part of the aircraft’s modernization efforts. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) in December 2023 received a $271 million modification contract, under which it will procure the MH-47G rotary wing renewal build aircraft for SOCOM. The company expects to complete work on the project, which would involve delivering six helicopters, by May 2027. Earlier that year in March, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) secured a $18 million task order for the acquisition of components and parts for the aircraft. MH-47G Chinook, first introduced in 1962 by The Boeing Company, continues to be widely used in American special operations despite aging.
On the other hand, General Dynamics Corporation, between 2016 and 2021, under a five-year contract with a maximum ceiling of $900 million provided professional services to US special forces in their global operations. The services included technical and engineering work for major weapon systems, and assistance with decision-making related to production and program control. Work on the agreement was carried out by General Dynamics Corporation’s subsidiary, ARMA Global.
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Methodology
Several credible publications and news reports available on the internet have been consolidated to identify countries with the highest number of military special forces in the world. Countries are sorted in ascending order of the number of special military forces they operate. Note that we have only considered the primary special forces in these countries. In case, where countries had the same number of military special forces, we outranked one over the other over our assessment of the capabilities of their special operations forces, which you can read about in our recent article, 11 Countries with the Best Military Special Forces in the World.
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Let’s now head over to the list of countries that have the most military special forces in the world.
11 Countries with the Highest Number of Military Special Forces in the World:
11. Germany
Special Forces: 2
Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) and Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM) are the two prominent military special forces of Germany. The KSK is the elite special force of the German military or Bundeswehr. It is a large brigade-level unit that has expertise in search and rescue, commando warfare, and anti-terrorism. The KSK carried out multiple successful special operations in Afghanistan, and is considered one of the most well-equipped special forces in the world.
The Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM) is the special forces group of the German Navy that is responsible for carrying out amphibious warfare. Both of these groups require their deployments to be authorized by the German parliament before they can undertake any operation.
10. Spain
Special Forces: 3
Next up on our list of countries with the highest number of military special forces in the world is Spain, with three major special operations groups. We begin with the Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial, or the Special Naval Warfare Force, which is the special operations unit of the Spanish Navy. It mainly comprises the members of the Marines, and specializes in operations in land, sea, and air. The Unidad de Operaciones Especiales, which is regarded as one of the best special forces in the world, merged into the Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial in 2009, with the latter inheriting the former’s reputation.
Moving on now to Escuadrón de Zapadores Paracaidistas (EZAPAC), which is the special forces unit of Spain’s elite paratroopers, and works under the Spanish Air Force. Commandos joining the group go through rigorous training in parachuting, skiing, weapon handling, SATCOM transmission, survival, and other critical areas related to aerial special operations.
Lastly, commandos of the Caballero Legionario Maderal Oleaga or 19th Special Operations Group, are capable of maritime and mountain warfare, counter-terrorism, and sabotage.
9. Pakistan
Special Forces: 3
Pakistan’s Special Services Group, or SSG, is among the best military special forces in the world. Due to the unique headgear worn by its commandos, it is also often referred to as the Black Storks. The SSG is a battle-hardened force that has undertaken several successful operations, especially in the restive tribal north against militant groups along the border with Afghanistan. The group has expertise in search and rescue, hostage rescue, psychological operations, direct action, reconnaissance, and taking out high-value targets.
The country’s navy also has a special forces group with the same name – the Pakistan Navy Special Service Group, which is also often called the Navy SEALs and Navy SSG. This unit is capable of carrying out unconventional special operations at land, air and sea.
On the other hand, the Special Services Wing is the special operations branch of the Pakistan Air Force, whose personnel are trained to perform special missions related to reconnaissance, combat control, pararescue, offensive raiding, and direct action. These commandos are primarily responsible for air traffic control in hostile environments.
8. France
Special Forces: 3
The Commandement des Opérations Spéciales, or the Special Operations Command (COS), in France is equivalent to the USSOCOM and UKSF, and oversees the operations of various special forces of the French military. The National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, or GIGN, is the most prominent special operations unit in France that is responsible for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and the protection of VIPs in the country. According to a report in The Independent, the GIGN has freed up over 600 hostages since it was unveiled in 1973.
Another potent military special force is the Commandos Marine, which works under the French Navy. The personnel in this unit are trained to conduct special operations at sea, land, and air to defend France from internal and external threats. Intelligence gathering, underwater operations, counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue are areas of strength for the Commandos Marine.
The French Air and Space Force also has a special forces group in Air Parachute Commando No. 10, with expertise in reconnaissance, aerial guidance, counter-terrorism, and combat search and rescue.
7. Canada
Special Forces: 4
The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command is responsible for all special operations conducted by the country to respond to terrorism, as well as threats to Canada. There are four main special forces working under the command. The Joint Task Force 2 (JST2) is the most prominent military special force in the country, and is regarded among the best in the world, having worked on several counter-terrorism operations at home and abroad. The unit is known to collaborate with the US’ Delta Force and UK’s SAS in missions of common interests.
The second military special forces group in Canada is the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, which is the special forces unit of the country’s armed force, and has expertise in undertaking direct raids, reconnaissance, and capturing strategic buildings.
The 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron provides tactical aviation support to Canada’s special forces command, while the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit works diligently to defend Canada from threats of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear nature.
6. Russia
Special Forces: 4
Russia is among countries with the highest number of military special forces in the world. Its Alpha Group is one of the finest elite military units on the globe and specializes in counter-terrorism. It was founded in 1974 by the KGB, and currently operates under the FSB. The unit is believed to be operating under the direct control of Russia’s top political leadership.
Another prominent group is Spetsnaz, which is the special forces unit of Russia’s foreign military intelligence unit, GRU, and is known to operate in covert operations across the world. It has taken part in several operations overseas, including in Ukraine, Georgia, Syria, and Czechoslovakia.
The 45th Guards Independent Reconnaissance Regiment, one the other hand, is the special forces unit under the Russian Airborne Troops, whose primary responsibility is reconnaissance behind enemy lines, kinetic operations against command and control posts, and eliminating their leadership. Lastly, Vympel special forces are tasked with protecting strategic installations in Russia.
5. India
Special Forces: 5
India has five military special forces. The Marine Commandos, or MARCOS, is the most widely acclaimed unit in the country. Commandos undergo three years of extensive and rigorous training before they join the group. They also go through tests for physical and mental toughness. MARCOS has expertise in counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, direct raids, and amphibious warfare.
The Para Special Forces (SF) is the special operations unit of the Indian Army that was launched in 1966 after India’s war with Pakistan a year earlier. On the other hand, the Garud Commando Force works under the Air Force and is responsible for tactical aerial operations and providing security to Indian Air Force’s installations.
Another prominent special forces unit in India is the National Security Guard (NSG), which is tasked with keeping a check on activities of sabotage, protecting VIPs and securing key national installations in the country. Lastly, the Special Frontier Force is responsible for defending India’s border with China and also undertaking covert operations behind enemy lines.
4. Poland
Special Forces: 6
Next up is Poland. In 2007, the country announced its fourth branch of military, the Wojska Specjalne – also known as the Special Troops Command. The branch is tasked with creating a unified command structure of all special operations groups to eliminate internal and external threats facing Poland.
JW Grom is the most famed Polish special operations unit, with expertise in anti-terrorism and unconventional warfare tactics like infiltration. It is also responsible for the protection of VIPs in the country. GROM operatives have been deployed to conflict zones in Afghanistan, Haiti, and Kosovo in the past, and have undertaken several direct raids and operations.
JW Komandosow is the specialized infantry wing of the Special Troops Command, and is known to have collaborated with GROM and American special forces DEVGRU in Afghanistan. On the other hand, JW AGAT is the specialized light infantry unit of Poland’s special forces.
Other prominent special forces in the country include JW Formoza (naval unit), JW NIL (military intelligence unit), and the 7th Special Operations Aviation Group (transportation unit).
3. United Kingdom
Special Forces: 6
There are six military special forces in the United Kingdom. The Special Air Service (SAS) is the most notable unit in the UK, which works under the British Army, and specializes in a variety of roles, including hostage rescue, direct action, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism. It has been active since 1947. SAS had a vital role to play in the wars against terror, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Special Boat Service (SBS) is the special operations unit of the Royal Navy. It is the sister unit of SAS, and the equivalent of the Navy SEALs in the United States. The unit’s selection process is highly challenging, with candidates undergoing rigorous assessments like combat survival, intense interrogation, and jungle training.
Special Reconnaissance Regiment, Special Forces Support Group, 18 Signal Regiment, and Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing are the other four special force groups of the UK military.
2. Israel
Special Forces: 13
Israel has one of the highest numbers of military special forces units in the world. Sayeret Matkal is its most well-known and respected elite forces unit, with the group taking part in nearly every Israeli special forces operation since the founding of the country. It is Israel’s primary unit for hostage rescue and intelligence gathering operations. Applicants go through rigorous training before they join the Sayaret Maktal.
Another prominent Israeli military special force is the Shayetet-13, which is the country’s equivalent to the US Navy SEALs. The unit takes part in both land and sea operations, and is considered among the best special forces in the world.
Shaldag is the special forces unit of the Israeli Air Force, while Egoz specializes in guerilla warfare. Duvdevan, on the other hand, is noted for conducting undercover operations in the West Bank and Gaza. Other notable special force units in Israel include 669 Search & Rescue, Yahalom, Choshen C4I, Oketz, Alpine Unit, Depth Corps, Meitar Unit, and Underwater Special Missions Unit.
1. United States
Special Forces: 20
The United States special operations forces are components of the American Army, Navy, and Air Force, and work under the United States Special Operations Command. According to the Asymmetric Warfare Group, there are 20 elite special operations forces in the US.
We begin with the Green Berets, which are among the most elite special forces in the world. Their personnel go through the toughest initial round of training among all other units in the US military. The training lasts for 24 days, and includes physical tests, language training, map training, land navigation, long distance trekking, and basic first aid.
Moving on to the Tier-1 units, The Delta Force is the special operations force under the operational control of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Its operators are responsible for complex missions related to counter-terrorism, direct action, hostage rescue, reconnaissance, and often taking out high value targets. Delta Force is known for taking out the leader of ISIS — Baghdadi.
The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) performs similar activities like the Delta Force, but on the naval side. The team’s highlight was taking out Osama Bin Laden in Abottabad, Pakistan. The Air Force’s 24th Special Tactics Squadron is tasked with tactical aerial special operations and its personnel are composed of combat controllers and pararescue-men.
Another special operations group that requires mention is the Army’s Intelligence Support Activity which collects information related to decisions taken by policymakers through its recruits from across services. Most of the activities of this unit are classified.
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