Top 10 Best Elite Counter-terrorism / Special Purpose Units
When it comes to elite counter-terrorism and special operations units, the world has its fair share of highly trained, tightly disciplined forces designed to respond to the most extreme situations. Each of these units brings a unique set of skills, extensive training, and experience in unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, direct action, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism operations. Their reputation often precedes them, thanks to legendary successes, high-profile missions, and the secrecy that surrounds much of their work.I have to say the SAS is the best. It's easier to get into the US Navy SEALs and graduate. In reality, Americans have no idea that at the outbreak of WWII, the US had no special forces. The US Rangers and Airborne did not exist, and the nation that trained them is Great Britain. An ironic slap in the face for Americans.
The best special forces in the world, no doubt. I once saw these elite soldiers carry out training during my time in the Royal Air Force in the 1980s. Their professionalism stood out clearly, proving that they were not to be messed with.
They are, and always will be, the best bar none. No other special force in the world comes close to the UK SAS.
These guys are the best-trained, most fit, and smartest soldiers that work for the United States armed forces. The training they endure has claimed over six lives since their creation in the 1980s. No doubt the most elite team.
I am 100% sure that they are the best team. They recruit not only the fit ones but the fittest ones. Because of that, they were able to kill even the ghost (Bin Laden). They have more experience and techniques than any other special forces in the world.
These SEALs are the best of the best. No one can compare to their expertise in rescuing hostages, tactical assaults, and assassinations.
These guys are both overrated and extremely underrated by a lot of anti-Americans.
To become a U.S. Navy SEAL, you only have to go through BUD/S to be qualified. Whereas to become a part of Delta Force, you have to spend five years in the U.S. Army Rangers or Green Berets and have combat experience. On top of that, Delta is so top secret that the U.S. government does not recognize their existence.
I'm tired of hearing people say that SEALs are the best because they can operate in sea, air, and land. Delta does too. Just to give some perspective on their missions, SEALs are sent in only if it is a water infiltration and extraction, whereas Delta goes in if it is anything else.
Israel has had thousands of years of experience in warfare and combat, something neither the US nor Great Britain has. They train our SEALs. Their fighting system, called Krav Maga, is by far the best fighting system I have ever encountered. It is aggressive, effective, and deadly.
Their advanced technology is truly incredible. The Iron Dome, the Tavor, and the Uzi are prime examples of Israel's superior knowledge in weaponry. The fact that Israel is surrounded by enemies and yet suffers small casualties while their enemies suffer the IDF's wrath says it all. As my friend stated, "Israel would most likely be in control of the entire Middle East if it wasn't for the UN."
The Israeli YAMAM deals with terrorism encounters on a daily basis. This, along with their intense training, tech, superior fighting skills, and prolonged experience, makes them the best of the best.
When you face them in daily life, you'll find they seem to have no lungs, no fear, no doubt, and no feelings of sorrow. They will kill anybody easily for their country.
They are well-trained, exceeding any other human limitation.
They're identified with red. Their red beret and red stripe on their camo mean they're ready to sacrifice their blood as their honor.
The German KSK and GSG9 are two completely different units. The KSK is comprised of elite soldiers from the Bundeswehr, and the GSG9 is an elite police unit. The GSG9 executed more than 1,500 missions, but in only five of them did they have to use firearms. Members of the KSK are frequently asked to join counter-terrorism missions together with the SAS and the SEALs. The KSK has received numerous decorations from NATO and is, without a doubt, one of the top units in the world.
Being the son of a legend in this elite unit, I can definitely confirm their fearless determination. I've witnessed a hostage situation, and those boys ran around the corner a split second after they placed the charge and set it off, scaring the hell out of me and mesmerizing everyone. These boys get it done right, and they are ghosts until they want to be seen. Hands down, the best of the best.
I can only release so much information due to safety concerns, and plus, I'm next to try my hand at this proud unit. They frequently train with every special forces unit you can think of, and they are the number one choice of every special forces unit when needed. They rapidly respond to any situation within a week. I wish I could say more and stress their training, but I can't. Their tactics still need to remain a secret to this world. CSOR doesn't even come close to the standards of JTF2. Proudly Canadian, proudly fearless, and proud enough to die without a second thought for their country. I myself will lay my life down in a heartbeat.
Determining which unit is the best in a rigorous order has no real meaning as most of them follow almost the same training, share their tactics, and have access to the best technologies in intel, breaching, and weaponry.
If units had to be ranked, it would be on criteria such as the age and experience of the unit and its members, number of operations conducted, success rate, and innovation in tactics and use of new tools.
In that regard, I think GIGN is probably one of the most experienced. I don't understand how it can be ranked under, let's say, KSK or GSG9, as GIGN was in charge of their training. They have conducted many more missions, rescued many more hostages, and faced real terrorist threats several times, including fierce gun battles in close quarters or even in the jungle.
They advised on how to handle the Mecca hostage crisis. They secured and rescued hostages from a plane in 1994. They killed armed terrorists last year in France. Their reputation has pushed the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) to make them the reference unit for training other units in the event of hijacked planes.
So I won't say they are "stronger," which means nothing, but in accordance with their experience and reputation, they should be ranked higher in my humble opinion.
The Australian SAS is every bit as good as their UK counterparts. Not sure if they still mentor Kopassus (Indonesian Army SF), but they used to. They would be nothing without training and advice in counter-terrorism from SASR. The Australian SAS were the first troops to cross into Iraq in 2003, as confirmed by George W. Bush to Australian PM John Howard. They had the Western Desert under control within a few days.
The outstanding efforts of the Australian SAS in Afghanistan have resulted in the award of countless medals for heroism, including two Victoria Crosses. Not bad for a country that has a military force outside the world's top ten in size and expenditure.
If you're talking about Spetsgruppa ALFA, this unit originated from the legendary Soviet "Thunder" group that never failed a mission, not including the canceled assassination attempt on Boris Yeltsin. Not only do they have some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world (strange for Russian standards), but they can also operate in almost any environment. They are trained to paradrop, engage in CQB on land, and form diving groups. With only 700 men and brutal, harsh training that lasts five years, you could only expect a very professional group.
EKO Cobra ended a highjacking while the plane was still in the air, allowing the plane to land safely. They handed over the terrorist to the local authorities. For that, they received a decoration from Russian Prime Minister Putin.
A very professional and well-trained counter-terrorism force. They can be anywhere in Austria within 72 minutes. They are known for training with the GSG9 and rarely using firearms in operations.
They have very high-end equipment and gear. Definitely one of the best special forces units in the world.
The Newcomers
They train alongside and deploy with Delta Force and other military units. They are also comprised of former military and SWAT personnel.
They are America's version of the GSG-9 and GIGN. Truly one of the best-trained counter-terrorist groups out there.
South Korea's counter-terrorism unit.
They are not even regular army special forces. They are a counter-terrorism unit and the very best in the world. Only 19 casualties in 30 years since their inception, countless impossible missions completed by them with ease, and they also showed their mettle in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
Though I believe the regular Indian special forces (paratroopers, MARCOS, Garuds) should be in the top 5.
I am an Australian-Indian, and I can tell you right now, I have not seen a single mission profile failed by these guys. No other special forces unit has matched up to that.
Plus, these guys receive top-notch training, and money is literally no problem for them. They get the very best equipment and produce the very best performance, no exception. These guys are easily, without a doubt, in the top 5, along with the SAS, SEAL Team Six, and Kopassus!
Highly trained and very intelligent, these guys know how to do their job. Each member is highly trained in their own specialization and general skills. During recent deployments, they have shown that they can do every job, from observation to capturing high-value targets or conducting search and rescue.
They are the best in Asia! They have gone through many wars in history. As General Douglas MacArthur said during the Korean War, "Give me ten thousand Filipinos and I shall conquer the world." Their skill in jungle warfare is superb.
These guys can use their handicraft skills to make their own weapons. They can survive in the wilderness for months with just a knife. Their skill compensates for their lack of equipment.
They can track down anyone in the jungle. They are highly skilled lads, even in close combat.
Although a cliché, the training regime of the SA Recces is extremely tough. Definitely tougher than the SEALs, but on par with British SAS and US Green Team (SEAL Team 6) training.
In my opinion, and this is just considering what is required from these special ops, the British SAS, South African Recces (SAS), and US SEAL Team 6 are top-notch. Also worth mentioning, Shayetet 13 and the South Australian Special Regiment (SASR) are right up there. No doubt the Rangers are tough as nails, but someone please tell me why people go on about Rangers when most of the time they work hand-in-hand with ordinary foot soldiers.
These guys are some of the best, definitely. When they had to do their stuff, they did it well.
Surprisingly good for a third-world country.
These guys are highly trained, highly disciplined, and capable of working under high risks.
Not only do they look cool, but during Serbia's darkest times, they fought on the battlefield against wholesale rebellions, NATO "Peacekeepers," and, of course, terrorism.
These guys were first in Iraq. Does anybody know? They picked up American hostages without firing a single shot. Does anybody know? Silent and mysterious.
Considering the age of the unit, 22 years old, I'd say the progress is amazing and puts it ten positions higher than what's ranked here.
Damn right. One of the best spec-ops units out there.
They are the absolute best counter-terrorism unit on the entire planet. They terminated the Bardo National Museum deadly attack in no time. Who can top that? Even US SWAT can't do it.
They are the world's best-trained and most effective special forces/anti-terrorist group with limited resources. Amazing team.
They are the best in Africa. They killed a lot of terrorists without killing hostages.
They didn't kill a single hostage during the negotiations with terrorists and during the rescue ops. They are just amazing guys. Go BAT, go.
Japan will not make the same mistake as the U.S.
Most disciplined soldiers in the world.
One of the best Counter-Terrorism Special Forces in the Middle East and the world. It's a branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
They won all the Special Forces Competitions that NATO used to host. After four consecutive years of the Turkish Maroon Berets coming in first place, NATO no longer hosts these competitions.
Not much is known about the Turkish Maroon Berets because they are kept out of the public eye, and they don't like to show off like most other special forces units around the world. They hold the world record for the fastest bomb diffusion and lock picking.
The only special force on the list that intervenes in "real" terrorist attacks on a monthly basis (at least) for decades. The other listed ones are just images from video games and nations' self-gratification.
When it comes to life-and-death situations, we all have seen how "good" the #9 National Gendarmerie Intervention Group is.
The Special Operations Command of Jordan conducted a major anti-terrorism mission in Saudi Arabia within only half an hour when the authorities there took days without being able to capture the terrorists without any deaths in the holy mosque in Mecca.
Plus, they have trained special forces from all over the world.
Pakistan's SSG is probably the most well-trained and nicely equipped unit, standing among the top 5 anti-terrorist units in the world. Their training is so hard that more than 60 percent of the guys die during the training period.
Recently, SSG won the Cambrian Patrol by defeating the Indian and American teams. SSG can carry out any sort of operation in any part of the entire planet. SSG is the best.
SSG (Special Service Group) from Pakistan is the best counterterrorism squad. They are trained to fight in every condition that exists on the planet. They are at the forefront of any operation conducted against terrorism, and with the help of Allah Almighty, the operations are successful.
Iraq has one of the best special forces in the world. Equipped with American weapons and communication gear, the Iraqi Special Forces have been ranked by the U.S. military advisor as one of the best in the world.
Not intending to be biased, but Iraqi Special Forces should be ranked at the top as they continuously achieve the highest confirmed kills of terrorists in northern and western Iraq.
This ranking is not fair. The Iraqi Anti-terrorism Forces have proven to be the best-trained, equipped, and skilled forces in the world.
Among the best-trained special units in the world, few in numbers, but when it comes to objectives and tasks handled, they rival, if not surpass, the U.S. Green Berets.