Today’s modern battle field is greatly different from previous generations. The enemies that are currently faced and the methods that are employed are more evolved. In order to be able to be effective in today’s combat conditions, many nations train elite Special Forces. Below are 11 of the most elite special fighting forces in the world today.
SAS
The British SAS is one of the most well respected elite fighting forces in the world. The training program and organization of the units as a direct influence on other special units such as the United States Delta Force.
The SAS receives a higher level of training than navy seals and also take programs from the two British intelligence agencies, MI-5 and MI-6.
Navy Seals
The Navy Seals first came into existence in the 70s. Their intense training is geared toward generating not just the most physically strong soldiers, but soldiers who are also able to function under extreme conditions.
The Seals have seen action all over the world in various different battle fields. They employ a wide range of combat technology that allows for them to complete any objective that might be assigned over to them.
MARCOS
MARCOS is India’s Special Forces unit. The hostile border with Pakistan, including tension between the various religious groups in the region, has made it so that India has had to deal with high levels of terrorist attacks. The rejection for selection of MARCOS soldiers is as high as 98%. This makes it so only the top of what the India military has to offer can become a member of this elite team. They train with a wide variety of weapons with a focus on counter terrorism tactics.
Russian Spetsnaz
Russia is a nation that has always had a reputation for having one of the strongest militaries in the world. From their weapons production to their various advancements with their military technology, Russia is still one of the world powers.
Their elite soldiers the Spetsnaz, going through some of the most physically demanding training out of any other unit in the military world. Spetsnaz are trained not just how to deal with high levels of pain, but how to also maintain themselves with the chaos of war going around with these high pain levels. There are few other forces in the world that can compare with the roughness you find with Spetsnaz.
Israeli Shayetet 13
This advance fighting unit, is one of the most secretive Special Forces groups in the world. They are highly trained specialists who focus on hostage rescue and counter terrorism tactics. Their intense training allows for them to conduct operations anywhere in the world that Israel’s interests might be threatened. While many of the operations haven’t been disclosed, this is the elite unit who hunted down the terrorists who were responsible for the Olympic massacre at Munich.
US Delta Force
The US Delta Force is one of the most highly trained counter terrorist units in the world. They specialize in search and rescue, hostage rescue, and counter terrorism. In order to joining this elite unit, cadets are put through a serious of rugged tests such as 18 mile hikes, rigid physical tests as well as survival training.
They are also training on how to operate in cases where technology has failed in any way. Most of the tests tend to happen long before a cadet starts that actual unit training.
Pakistan Special Service Group
Like India, Pakistan faces many issues with terrorism. The fractured regions, hostile boarder and tribal warfare, has lead the Pakistan military to make sure that they have a team of soldiers who are specialized for any threat that makes itself known. Besides counter terrorist training, PSSG members are also trained in unconventional warfare, special operations, and direct action. This makes them one of the more effective Special Forces groups in the world.
French Naval Commandos
The French Naval Commandos are specialists when it comes to sea combat. Their training puts a focus on close quarts sea combat and combat diving. They also employ long rang support and canine units depending on the threat that they have to face. They are able to complete operation in any navel environment. With their expertise, it is not surprising to find that they are used greatly in protecting merchant shipping lanes.
US Green Berets
While many of the elite forces on this list focus in on counter terrorism, the Green Berets are trained to be able to be effective units when it comes to unconventional warfare. When it comes to situations of guerrilla combat, the US will send in the Green Berets to effectively neutralize any situation.
Like many of the other units on this list, the Green Berets go through an extremely tough picking process with only a few of the cadets who volunteer making the cut.
Eko Cobra
Eko Cobra is Austria’s elite counter-terrorism unit. They have built up a reputation for their climbing abilities as well as their crisis management skills. This elite unit only consists of 200 men and have built up a reputation as being one of the fiercest fighting forces in the world. They are also the only military group to end a hostage crisis on an air plane while it was still in the air.
The Kaibiles
The Kaibiles is a counter revolutionary unit in Guatemala. They are specialists when it comes to jungle warfare and have been used for international missions. They are most known for the role they played in the Congo against Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army. They are one of the best units when it comes to counter insurgencies.
