In this article, we look at five countries with the highest number of military special forces in the world. You can read about ongoing trends in America’s defense industry to further strengthen its special forces by heading over to the 11 Countries with the Highest Number of Military Special Forces in the World.
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.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also check out our articles on 12 Tech Stocks To Sell Right Now According To Cathie Wood and 14 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy According to Analysts.
Follow Insider Monkey on X.