This is a list of military special forces units, also known as

special operations forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

(SOF), currently active with countries around the world, that are specially organized, trained and equipped to conduct

special operations Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations ma ...

. These are distinct from special-purpose infantry units, such as the Royal Marine Commandos, found on the list of commando units, and also

paratrooper A paratrooper or military parachutist is a soldier trained to conduct military operations by parachuting directly into an area of operations, usually as part of a large airborne forces unit. Traditionally paratroopers fight only as light infa ...

units found on the list of paratrooper forces.

Definitions

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...

currently defines "special operations" as:

Military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, trained, and equipped forces, manned with selected personnel, using unconventional tactics, techniques, and modes of employment.

In 2001, as part of efforts to create a framework for consultation and cooperation between NATO and Russia, the ''NATO-RUSSIA Glossary of Contemporary Political and Military Terms'' further defined special operations and special operations forces:

special operations military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, trained and equipped forces using operational techniques and modes of employment not standard to conventional forces. These activities are conducted across the full range of military operations independently or in coordination with operations of conventional forces to achieve political, military, psychological and economic objectives. Politico-military considerations may require clandestine, covert or discreet techniques and the acceptance of a degree of physical and political risk not associated with conventional operations.

special-operations forces strategic formations and units of the armed forces, whose role is to conduct sabotage, reconnaissance, subversive and other special operations on the territory of foreign countries. In wartime they may also be assigned tasks such as intelligence-gathering, the seizure or destruction of key installations, the conduct of psychological operations or the organization of insurgencies in the enemy's rear area. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have separate special-operations forces brigades, battalions and companies which are integrated with the intelligence assets of military districts, fronts, fleets, armies or corps.

The United States definition of special operations is:

Operations requiring unique modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment and training often conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and characterized by one or more of the following: time sensitive, clandestine, low visibility, conducted with and/or through indigenous forces, requiring regional expertise, and/or a high degree of risk.

The Canadian definition of special operations forces is:

Organizations containing specially trained personnel that are organized, equipped and trained to conduct high-risk, high value, special operations to achieve military, political, economic, or international objectives by using special and unique operational methodologies in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive area to achieve desired tactical operational, and/or strategic effects in times of peace, conflict, or war.

Albania

Albanian Armed Forces * Special Operations Regiment

Algeria

Algerian Land Forces (CFT) *

104th Operational Maneuvers Regiment The 104th Operational Maneuvers Regiment (104th RMO; ) is a special forces regiment of the Algerian Land Forces, and is also a parachute regiment. History The 104th Operational Maneuver Regiment was created on November 2, 2005 by a presidentia ...

(104e RMO) * 116th Operational Maneuvers Regiment (116e RMO) Algerian Navy (AN) * Navy Special Action Regiment (RASM) Algerian Republican Guard (GR) * Special Intervention Regiment (RSI)

Angola

Angolan Armed Forces * Special Forces Brigade (BRIFE)

Argentina

Argentine Army The Argentine Army () is the Army, land force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of Argentina. Under the Argentine Constitution, the president of Argentina is the commander-in-chief of the Armed For ...

* Special Operations Forces Grouping ** 601 Commando Company ** 602 Commando Company Argentine Navy * Tactical Divers Group * Amphibious Commandos Group

Armenia

Armenian Army * 1st Special Forces Regiment (Armenia) – Spetsnaz unit.

Australia

Australian Army The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army ...

* Special Operations Command ** Special Forces Group *** 1st Commando Regiment *** 2nd Commando Regiment
''Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (East)'' *** Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)
''Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (West)'' *** Special Operations Engineer Regiment * 6th Aviation Regiment ** 171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron **

173rd Special Operations Aviation Squadron The 173rd Special Operations Aviation Squadron (173 SOAS) is an Australian Army helicopter training squadron that provides support to the Special Operations Command. The squadron is being equipped with UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The squad ...

Royal Australian Air Force The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the principal Air force, aerial warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Constitutionally the Governor-Gener ...

* No. 4 Squadron, B Flight

Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the navy, naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (Australia), Chief of Navy (CN) Vice admiral (Australia), Vice Admiral Mark Hammond (admiral), Ma ...

* Clearance Diving BranchThe Clearance Diving Branch does not have a dedicated special operations role as they also include clearance diving roles.
''Divers serve with 2nd Commando Regiment as part of Tactical Assault Group (East)''

Austria

Austrian Army * Jagdkommando

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Armed Forces The Azerbaijani Armed Forces () is the military of the Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan. It was re-established according to the country's Law of the Armed Forces on 9 October 1991. The original Azerbaijan Democratic Republic's armed forces were ...

* Special Forces of Azerbaijan * 641st Naval Special Operations Brigade * 777th Special Forces Regiment

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Army * Para Commando Brigade Bangladesh Navy * Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) Bangladesh Air Force * 41 Squadron Airborne

Belarus

Special Operations Forces Command * 5th Spetsnaz Brigade * 38th Guards Mobile Brigade – Brest * 103rd Guards Mobile Brigade –

Vitebsk Vitebsk or Vitsyebsk (, ; , ; ) is a city in northern Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Vitebsk Region and Vitebsk District, though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2025, it has 358,927 inhabitants, m ...

Belgium

Belgian Land Component * Special Operations Regiment in Heverlee

Botswana

* Botswana Ground Force ** 1st Commando Regiment

Brazil

Brazilian Army The Brazilian Army (; EB) is the branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible, externally, for defending the country in eminently terrestrial operations and, internally, for guaranteeing law, order and the constitutional branches, subordina ...

* Special Operations Command ** 1st Special Forces Battalion (''1º BFEsp'') ** 1st Commando Battalion (''1º BAC'') ** Special Operation Support Battalion

Brazilian Air Force The Brazilian Air Force (, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Brazilian Brazilian Army Aviation (1919–1941), Army and Brazilian Naval Aviation, Nav ...

* Airborne Rescue Squadron

Brazilian Navy The Brazilian Navy () is the navy, naval service branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces, responsible for conducting naval warfare, naval operations. The navy was involved in War of Independence of Brazil#Naval action, Brazil's war of independence ...

* Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion (''COMANF'') * Combat Divers Groupment (''GRUMEC'')

Brunei

* Royal Brunei Land Force **Special Forces Regiment (SFR)

Bulgaria

* 68th Special Forces Brigade * Bulgarian Land Forces ** 101st Alpine Regiment * Bulgarian Navy ** 65th Seaborne Special Reconnaissance Detachment

Burundi

* National Defence Force ** 4th Commando Battalion

Cambodia

* Royal Cambodian Army ** Special Forces Command (Cambodia) ** Brigade 70 (B-70)

Cameroon

; Cameroon Army * Rapid Intervention Battalion (Btaillon d'Intervention Rapide, BIR) *Rapid Response Brigade (Brigade d'Intervention Rapide, BIR)

Canada

Special Operations Forces Command * Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) * Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) * 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS) * Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU)

Chile

* Lautaro Special Operations Brigade/detalle/index.asp?id= "Army opens rapid deployment elite brigade"
, '' El Mercurio '', 25 December 2006; accessed 12 December 2008.= 3072 Creation of the BOE
, Chilean Army, 26 December 2006; Accessed 12 December 2008.

China – PRC

* People's Liberation Army Special Operations ForcesIISS Military Balance 2013, 291 **

People's Liberation Army Ground Force The People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF), also referred to as the PLA Army, is the army, land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and also its largest and oldest branch. The PLAGF can trace its lineage from 192 ...

*** *** **

People's Liberation Army Navy The People's Liberation Army Navy, also known as the People's Navy, PLA Navy or simply Chinese Navy, is the naval warfare military branch, branch of the People's Liberation Army, the national military of the People's Republic of China. It i ...

*** People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps **** **

People's Liberation Army Air Force The People's Liberation Army Air Force, also referred to as the Chinese Air Force () or the People's Air Force (), is the primary aerial warfare service of the People's Liberation Army. The PLAAF controls most of the PLA's air assets, includi ...

*** People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps **** Airborne Corps Special Forces Brigade

Colombia

* National Army of Colombia ** Special Forces Division (División de fuerzas especiales (DIVFE)) ** Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas *

Colombian Air Force The Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC, ) is the air force of the Republic of Colombia. The Colombian Aerospace Force is one of the three institutions of the Military Forces of Colombia charged, according to the 1991 Constitution, with working to exe ...

** Special Air Commando Group (ECOEA)

Congo – DRC

* 391st Commando battalion URR

Croatia

Special Operations Command (Croatia)

Cuba

* Black Wasp (Avispas Negras)

Cyprus

Special forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

* Special Forces Command (Cyprus) * Underwater Demolition Team (Cyprus)

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic Special Operations Forces * Ministry of Defence SOF Directorate * 601st Special Forces Group

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Land Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo *31st Rapid Response Unit Brigade *391st Commando Battalion

Denmark

Special Operations Command (SOKOM) * Jaeger Corps (former Royal Danish Army) * Frogman Corps (former

Royal Danish Navy The Royal Danish Navy (, ) is the Naval warfare, sea-based branch of the Danish Armed Forces force. The RDN is mainly responsible for maritime defence and maintaining the sovereignty of Denmark, Danish territorial waters (incl. Faroe Islands and ...

) Danish Home Guard * Special Support and Reconnaissance CompanyHjemmeværnet – SSR – Særlig Støtte og Rekognoscering
Hjv.dk. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.

Ecuador

Ecuadorian Army * IWIAS Jungle Commandos

El Salvador

Special Operations Command (CFE) * Comando Especial Anti-Terrorista

Egypt

Sa'ka Forces (Thunderbolt Forces) * Unit 777Ryan, p.22 * Unit 999

Estonia

Estonian Special Operations Force (ESTSOF)

Ethiopia

* Agazi Commando Division

Finland

Finnish Army * Utti Jaeger RegimentSuomen erikoisjoukot pidetään piilossa julkisuudelta – tällaisia taistelijat ovat
Helsingin Sanomat 2015-03-07. Retrieved 2015-06-09. ()

Finnish Navy The Finnish Navy ( , ) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. The navy employs 2,300 people and about 4,300 conscripts are trained each year. Finnish Navy vessels are given the ship prefix "FNS", short for "Finnish Navy ship", but ...

* Coastal Brigade ** Naval Reconnaissance Battalion *** Special Operations Detachment

France

Special Operations Command (French Army) * 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment * 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment * 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment * Special Forces Command and Signal Company (''Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions des Forces Spéciales'' - CCTFS)

French Navy The French Navy (, , ), informally (, ), is the Navy, maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the four military service branches of History of France, France. It is among the largest and most powerful List of navies, naval forces i ...

* FORFUSCO ** Commandos Marine

French Air and Space Force The French Air and Space Force (, , ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the ("Aeronautical Service"), a service arm of the French Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the French Air F ...

* Air Parachute Commando No. 10 (CPA 10) * Special Operations Division, Transport section (ET 03/61 Poitou)

Directorate-General for External Security The Directorate-General for External Security (, , DGSE) is France's foreign intelligence agency, equivalent to the British MI6 and the American CIA, established on 27 November 1943. The DGSE safeguards French national security through intelli ...

* Action Division

Georgia

Defense Forces * GSOF

Germany

German Special Forces *

German Navy The German Navy (, ) is part of the unified (Federal Defense), the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the ''Bundesmarine'' (Federal Navy) from 1956 to 1995, when ''Deutsche Marine'' (German Navy) became the official ...

** Naval Special Forces Command (KSM) *

German Army The German Army (, 'army') is the land component of the armed forces of Federal Republic of Germany, Germany. The present-day German Army was founded in 1955 as part of the newly formed West German together with the German Navy, ''Marine'' (G ...

** Special Forces Command (KSK) * German Air Force ** No. 4 Squadron Helicopter Wing 64

Ghana

Ghana Armed Forces *

Ghana Navy The Ghana Navy (GN) is the naval warfare organizational military branch of the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghanaian Armed Forces (GAF). The Ghanaian Navy, along with the Ghana Army, Ghanaian Army (GA) and Ghana Air Force, Ghanaian Air Force (GHF), make up ...

** Special Boat Squadron

Greece

Hellenic Army The Hellenic Army (, sometimes abbreviated as ΕΣ), formed in 1828, is the army, land force of Greece. The term Names of the Greeks, '' Hellenic'' is the endogenous synonym for ''Greek''. The Hellenic Army is the largest of the three branches ...

* 1st Raider/Paratrooper Brigade (LOK) (MAK) * 32nd Marines Brigade

Hellenic Air Force The Hellenic Air Force (HAF; , sometimes abbreviated as ΠΑ) is the air force of Greece (''Hellenic'' being the endonym for ''Greek'' in the Greek language). It is considered to be one of the largest air forces in NATO, and is globally placed 1 ...

* 31st Search & Rescue Squadron (31MEED) Hellenic Navy * Underwater Demolition Command (DYK) – is organized into sections called Underwater Demolition Teams (OYK)

Hungary

*1st Special Forces Brigade "Arpad Bertalan" ** 34th Special Forces Battalion "Bercsényi László" ** 88th Light Mixed Battalion

India

Armed Forces Special Operations Division *

Indian Army The Indian Army (IA) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the Land warfare, land-based branch and largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head ...

** Para (Special Forces) *

Indian Navy The Indian Navy (IN) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the Navy, maritime and Amphibious warfare, amphibious branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of the Naval Staff (India), Chief ...

** MARCOS *

Indian Air Force The Indian Air Force (IAF) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the air force, air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 Octob ...

** Garud Commando Force

Indonesia

Special Operations Command Indonesian Army * Kopassus – Army special force command * Tontaipur – Army combat reconnaissance platoon

Indonesian Navy The Indonesian Navy (, TNI-AL) is the Navy, naval branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. It was founded on 10 September 1945 and has a role to patrol Indonesia's lengthy coastline, to enforce and patrol the territorial waters and Exclus ...

* Kopaska – Naval frogman commando * Denjaka – Joint navy-marine special forces * Taifib – Marine amphibious reconnaissance battalion

Indonesian Air Force The Indonesian Air Force (, sometimes shortened as IDAF / IdAF) is the Air force, aerial branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. The Indonesian Air Force is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is headed by the Chief of Staff of th ...

* Kopasgat – Air force special forces command ** Bravo Detachment 90 – counterterrorism unit of Kopasgat

Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran Army The Islamic Republic of Iran Army (), acronymed AJA (), commonly simplified as the Iranian Army, is the conventional military of Iran and part of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces. It is tasked to protect the territorial integrity of th ...

* 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade * 1st Marine Brigade

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khom ...

* Quds Force * Sepah Navy Special Force

Iraq

* Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) ** Iraqi Special Operations Forces *** 36th Commando Battalion ** Wolf Brigade (Iraq)

Ireland

Irish Army The Irish Army () is the land component of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Defence Forces of Republic of Ireland, Ireland.The Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces – the standing branches – and the Reserve Defence Forces. ...

Army Ranger Wing The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) (, "''SFA''") is the special forces, special operations force of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces, the military of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is a branch of the Irish Army, it also selects pers ...

(ARW)

Israel

Military Intelligence Directorate * General Staff Reconnaissance Unit 269 – Sayeret Matkal Israeli Army * 89th "Oz" Brigade ** Unit 212 – Maglan ** Unit 217 – Duvdevan ** Unit 621 – Egoz

Israeli Navy The Israeli Navy (, ''Ḥeil HaYam HaYisraeli'', ; ) is the Israel Defense Forces#Arms, naval warfare service arm of the Israel Defense Forces, operating primarily in the Mediterranean Sea theater as well as the Gulf of Eilat and the Red Sea th ...

* 13th Flotilla – Shayetet 13 Israeli Air and Space Force * 7th Special Air Forces Wing ( He) ** Unit 5101 – Shaldag (Special Air-Ground Designating Team) ** Unit 669 – Combat Search and Rescue and Airborne Medical Evacuation Unit ** Unit 5700 - Forward Air Field Tactical Unit

Italy

Italian Army The Italian Army ( []) is the Army, land force branch of the Italian Armed Forces. The army's history dates back to the Italian unification in the 1850s and 1860s. The army fought in colonial engagements in China and Italo-Turkish War, Libya. It ...

* Army Special Forces Command (Italy) ** 9th Parachute Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" ** 185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" ** 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment ** 3rd Special Operations Helicopter Regiment

Italian Navy The Italian Navy (; abbreviated as MM) is one of the four branches of Italian Armed Forces and was formed in 1946 from what remained of the ''Regia Marina'' (Royal Navy) after World War II. , the Italian Navy had a strength of 30,923 active per ...

* Comando Subacquei ed Incursori (COMSUBIN) Italian Air Force * 17º Stormo Incursori (ex R.I.A.M., CCT)

Japan

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force * Special Forces GroupThe Japanese Special Forces Group is the current name of the former Japanese Special Operations Group, following a name change. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force * Special Boarding Unit

Jordan

Joint Special Operations Command * Special Forces Group – "King Abdulah II" ** Special Unit I – Specializing in counter terrorism on the basis of the 71st Special Battalion

Kenya

Kenya Special Forces * Special Operations Regiment (SOR) * Kenya Navy#Special Operations Squadron

Kuwait

* Kuwait 25th Commando Brigade

Kyrgyzstan

; Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic * 25th Special Force Brigade Scorpion

Latvia

Latvian National Armed Forces * Latvian Special Tasks Unit (SUV)

Lebanon

Special Operations Command * Lebanese Armed Forces ** Counter-Sabotage Regiment (aka Moukafaha) * Lebanese Army ** Lebanese Commando Regiment (aka "Ranger Regiment") * Lebanese Navy ** Marine Commandos * Lebanese Air Force ** Airborne Regiment

Lithuania

Lithuanian Special Operations Force Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces * Special Operations Platoon (SOB)

Malaysia

Malaysian Army The Malaysian Army (; Jawi alphabet, Jawi: ) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ () as do the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysi ...

* 21st Special Service Group / 21 Grup Gerak Khas (GGK)

Royal Malaysian Navy The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN, ; Jawi alphabet, Jawi: ) is the naval arm of the Malaysian Armed Forces. RMN is the main agency responsible for the country's maritime surveillance and defence operations. RMN's area of operation consists of 603,2 ...

* Naval Special Warfare Forces / Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) Royal Malaysian Air Force * Pasukan Khas TUDM / RMAF Special Force (PASKAU)

Maldives

Maldives National Defence Force Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; ) is the military, national military responsible for defending the national security, security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the Constitution of the Maldives, constitut ...

** Special Force

Malta

* Armed Forces of Malta ** Special Operations Unit (SOU)

Mexico

Mexican Army * Special Forces Corps ** Special Reaction Force Mexican Navy * Amphibious Special Forces Group

Mongolia

* 084th Special Task Battalion

Montenegro

* Special Forces Company

Namibia

Namibian Special Forces

Netherlands

Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM) * Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) * Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF) * M-Squadron

New Zealand

Special Operations Component Command * 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment

Nigeria

Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) * 72nd Special Forces Battalion Nigerian Navy * Special Boat Service * Deep Blue Special Intervention Forces (Maritime Security Unit)

North Korea – DPRK

* Korean People's Army Special Operation Force *11th Army Corps ("Storm Corps")

North Macedonia

Army of the Republic of Macedonia * Special Operations Regiment ("Wolves")

Norway

Norwegian Special Operation Forces (NORSOF) * Armed Forces' Special Command * Navy Special Operation Command * Coastal Ranger Command

Oman

* Sultan's Special Force

Pakistan

Pakistan Army The Pakistan Army (, ), commonly known as the Pak Army (), is the Land warfare, land service branch and the largest component of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The president of Pakistan is the Commander-in-chief, supreme commander of the army. The ...

Special Service Group The Special Service Group (SSG) are the special forces of the Pakistan Army. They are also known by their nickname of "Maroon Berets" due to their headgear. The SSG is responsible to deploy and execute five doctrinal missions: foreign inte ...

(SSG) * Pakistan Navy ** Special Service Group Navy (SSGN) *

Pakistan Air Force The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (; ) is the aerial warfare branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces, tasked primarily with the aerial defence of Pakistan, with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy when re ...

** Special Service Wing (SSW)

Paraguay

Paraguayan Armed Force * Special Forces Battalion – (Batallón Conjunto de Fuerzas Especiales)

Peru

Peruvian Armed Forces ** Fuerza Delta

Philippines

Special Operations Command (Philippines) * Philippine Air Force ** 710th Special Operations Wing (SPOW) *

Philippine Army The Philippine Army (PA) () is the main, oldest and largest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), responsible for ground warfare. , it had an estimated strength of 143,100 soldiers The service branch was established on December ...

** 1st Scout Ranger Regiment (SRR) Philippine Journals Online
. Philjol.info. Retrieved on 8 September 2011. ** Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) (SFR-A) ** Light Reaction Regiment (LRR) *

Philippine Navy The Philippine Navy (PN) () is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an estimated strength of 24,500 active service personnel, including the 10,300-strong Philippine Marine Corps. It operates 91 combat ...

Naval Special Operations Command The Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) is a separate command of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological warfare, psychological and unconventional warfare and is heavily influenced by the United States Na ...

(NAVSOCOM) * Philippine Marine Corps ** Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) * Philippine Coast Guard **

Special Operations Force Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

(SOF)

Poland

Special Troops Command * Operational-Maneuver Response Group (GROM) * Army Commandos * JW AGAT * JW Formoza * Nil Military Unit * Special Operations Aviation Unit, commanded by

Headquarters Headquarters (often referred to as HQ) notes the location where most or all of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. The term is used in a wide variety of situations, including private sector corporations, non-profits, mil ...

Special Troops Command, but part of

Polish Air Force The Polish Air Force () is the aerial warfare Military branch, branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as ''Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej'' (). In 2014 it consisted of roughly 26,000 military personnel an ...

Portugal

Portuguese Army * Commando Regiment * Paratroopers ** Pathfinders Company *

Portuguese Navy * Portuguese Marine Corps ** Special Actions Detachment (DAE) * Sappers Divers Group

Romania

Ministry of Defense * Direcţia Generală de Informaţii a Apărării ** Special Detachment of Protection and Intervention * Romanian Armed Forces: ** Romanian Special Operations Forces Command

Rwanda

Rwanda Defence Force * Special Forces Brigade

Russia

Special Operations Forces Command * Special Purpose Center "Senezh" * Special Purpose Center "Kubinka-2" * 344th Army Aviation Combat Center * Russian Airborne Troops ** 45th Guards Special Purpose Brigade *

Russian Navy The Russian Navy is the Navy, naval arm of the Russian Armed Forces. It has existed in various forms since 1696. Its present iteration was formed in January 1992 when it succeeded the Navy of the Commonwealth of Independent States (which had i ...

** Naval Special Reconnaissance (OMRP) – Reconnaissance divers under operational subordination to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) ** Counteraction Underwater Diversionary Forces and Facilities (PDSS) Special Forces of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (Special Forces of the GRU)

Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Navy * Special Navy Security Units (SNSU) Saudi Arabian Army * 64th Special Forces Brigade

Serbia

* 72nd Brigade for Special Operations * 63rd Parachute Brigade

Seychelles

Seychelles People's Defence Force * Tazar Special Forces Unit

Singapore

Special Operations Task Force * Naval Diving Unit * Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation *

Slovakia

Slovak Armed Forces * 5th Special Forces Regiment (Slovakia)

Slovenia

* Posebna Enota za Specialno Taktiko (PEST) * Enota za Specialno Delovanje (ESD)

Somalia

* Danab Brigade

South Africa

South African National Defence Force * Special Forces Brigade

South Korea – ROK

; Republic of Korea Army * ROK Army Special Warfare Command ("Black Berets") ** 1st Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) ** 13th Special Mission Brigade ** 707th Special Mission Group ; Republic of Korea Navy * ROK Naval Special Warfare Flotilla ;

Republic of Korea Marine Corps The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC; ), also known as the ROK Marine Corps, ROK Marines or South Korean marines, is the naval infantry of South Korea. The ROKMC is a branch of the Republic of Korea Navy responsible for amphibious operat ...

* Spartan 3000 * Marine Corps Special Recon ;

Republic of Korea Air Force The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF; ), also known as the ROK Air Force or South Korean Air Force, is the Air force, aerial and Space force, space warfare service branch of South Korea, operating under the Ministry of National Defense (South K ...

* (CCT) * (SART)

Spain

* '' Mando Conjunto de Operaciones Especiales'' (MCOE, Joint Special Operations Command) ** Spanish Land Army *** '' Mando de Operaciones Especiales'' (MOE, Special Operations Command) **** Manages four Special Operations Groups (''Grupo de Operaciones Especiales'', GOE) **

Spanish Navy The Spanish Navy, officially the Armada, is the Navy, maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces and one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Spanish Navy was responsible for a number of major historic achievements in navigation ...

*** Special Naval Warfare Command **** '' Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial'' (FGNE, Special Naval Warfare Force) – formerly '' Unidad de Operaciones Especiales'' (UOE, Special Operations Unit), until a 2009 merger with ''Unidad Especial de Buzos de Combate'' (UEBC, Special Combat Diver Unit) to form the FGNE. **

Spanish Air and Space Force The Spanish Air and Space Force () is the Aerial warfare, aerial and space warfare branch of the Spanish Armed Forces. History Early stages Hot air balloons have been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with th ...

*** '' Escuadrón de Zapadores Paracaidistas'' (EZAPAC, Paratrooper Sappers Squadron).

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Army * Special Forces Regiment ** 1st Special Forces Regiment (1 SF) ** 2nd Special Forces Regiment (2 SF) ** 3rd Special Forces Regiment (3 SF) ** 4th Special Forces Regiment (4 SF) * Commando Regiment

Sri Lanka Navy The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) (; ) is the navy, naval arm of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is classed as the country's most vital defence force due to its island geography. It is responsible for the maritime defence of the Sri Lankan nation and its ...

* Special Boat Squadron

Sri Lanka Air Force The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF; ; ) is the air force, air arm and the youngest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SLAF played a major r ...

* Special Airborne Force

Sweden

Swedish Armed Forces The Swedish Armed Forces (, literally ''Defence Force'') are the Military, armed forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. It consists of four separate military branches, the Swedish Army, the Swedish Navy, the Swedish Air Force and the Home Guard (Swed ...

* Special Operations Task Group (SOG)

Swedish Army The Swedish Army () is the army, land force of the Swedish Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Beginning with its service in 1521, the Swedish Army has been active for more than 500 years. History Svea Life Guards dates back to the year 1 ...

* Life Regiment Hussars (K 3) **

31st Ranger Battalion The 31st Ranger Battalion (), previously called the 31st Light Infantry Battalion (, 31. LSkbat), is a specialized light infantry unit of the Swedish Army. The unit is part of the Life Regiment Hussars and is based in Karlsborg. It is the primar ...

** 32nd Intelligence Battalion *** 323rd Parachute Ranger Squadron (Fallskärmsjägarna) * Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K 4) ** 193rd Ranger Battalion (Arméns jägarbataljon – AJB) Swedish Air Force * Blekinge Wing (F 17) ** Air Force Rangers (Flygbasjägarna) Swedish Navy * Amphibious Corps ** 1st Marine Regiment (Amf 1) *** 202nd Coastal Ranger Company (Kustjägarna)

Switzerland

Special Forces Command (KSK) * Army Reconnaissance Detachment (ARD 10) * Parachute Reconnaissance Company 17 (FSK-17)

Taiwan – ROC

Republic of China Army * 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion * Airborne Special Service Company

Republic of China Marine Corps , image = File:Republic of China Marine Corp (ROCMC) Logo.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Emblem of the Republic of China Marine Corps with the map of ROC claimed lands of m ...

* Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit

Republic of China Military Police The Republic of China Military Police (ROCMP; zh, t=中華民國憲兵, informally the Taiwanese Military Police) is a military police force operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China), Ministry of ...

* Republic of China Military Police Special Services Company Coast Guard Administration * Special Task Unit

Tanzania

Tanzania People's Defence Force *Marine Special Forces (MSF)

Thailand

Royal Thai Army * Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command (RTASWC) ** 1st Special Forces Division (1st SFD) *** 3rd Special Forces Regiment, King's Guard (Airborne) **** Ranger Battalion, King's Guard, 3rd Special Forces Regiment, King's Guard **** Special Operations Battalion, King's Guard, 3rd Special Forces Regiment

Royal Thai Navy The Royal Thai Navy (Abbreviation, Abrv: RTN, ทร.; , ) is the Navy, naval warfare force of Thailand. Established in 1906, it was modernised by the Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) who is known as the father of the Royal N ...

* Naval Special Warfare Command (Royal Thai Navy SEALs) * RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion

Royal Thai Air Force The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) (; ) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913 as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force has engaged in numerous major and minor conflicts. During the ...

* RTAF Security Force Command ** Special Operations Regiment (SOR)

Timor-Leste

Timor Leste Defence Force *Unidade Falintil

Tunisia

Tunisian Army * Special Forces Group (GFS) ** Military Intervention Group (GIM)

Tunisian Air Force The Tunisian Air Force (, ) is one of the branches of the Tunisian Armed Forces. History The Tunisian Air Force was established in 1959, three years after Tunisia regained its independence from France. It took deliveries of its first aircraft ...

* Special Air Regiment (RAS) Tunisian Navy * 51st Marine Commando Regiment (51st RCM) * 52nd Marine Commando Regiment (52nd RCM)

Turkey

Turkish Armed Forces The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF; , TSK) are the armed forces, military forces of the Turkey, Republic of Turkey. The TAF consist of the Turkish Army, Land Forces, the Turkish Navy, Naval Forces and the Turkish Air Force, Air Forces. The Chief of ...

* General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces ** Special Forces Command (OKK) (aka Maroon Berets) * Turkish Naval Forces ** Underwater Defence Group (SAS) ** Underwater Offence Group (SAT) *

Turkish Air Force The Turkish Air Force () is the Air force, air and space force of the Turkish Armed Forces. It traces its origins to 1 June 1911 when it was founded as the Ottoman Aviation Squadrons, Aviation Squadrons by the Ottoman Empire. It was composed ...

** Combat Search and Rescue (MAK) ** Air Force Search and Rescue (AKIP) ;Northern Cyprus * TRNC Special Task Force Command (ÖGKK)

Uganda

Ugandan Special Forces Command The Ugandan Special Forces Command specialized component of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) tasked with carrying out specialized missions or operations at a moment’s notice. The SFC main headquarters are in Entebbe, Wakiso Distric ...

(SFC)

Ukraine

Special Operations Forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

– headquarters in

Kyiv Kyiv, also Kiev, is the capital and most populous List of cities in Ukraine, city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both sides of the Dnieper, Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2022, its population was 2, ...

* 3rd Special Purpose Regiment (

Kropyvnytskyi Kropyvnytskyi (, ) is a city in central Ukraine, situated on the Inhul, Inhul River. It serves as the administrative center of Kirovohrad Oblast. Population: Over its history, Kropyvnytskyi has changed its name several times. The settlement ...

) * 8th Special Purpose Regiment ( Khmelnytskyi) * 140th Special Purpose Center ( Khmelnytskyi) *

Information Warfare Information warfare (IW) is the battlespace use and management of information and communication technology (ICT) in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent. It is different from ''cyberwarfare'' that attacks computers, software, and ...

& Psychological Operations * 72nd Psychological and Information Warfare Center Ukrainian Navy units * 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center (73 MTSSN) ( Ochakiv) * 801st Anti-Diversionary Detachment (801 OZB) (Ochakiv)

National Guard of Ukraine The National Guard of Ukraine (NGU; , ; /NHU ) is the Ukrainian national gendarmerie and internal military force. It is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, responsible for public security. Originally created as an agency under the dire ...

* Special Forces Anti-terrorism Detachment "Omega" * 1st Special Purpose Brigade (Kalinivka Airfield, Vinnytsia Oblast)

United Kingdom

United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) *

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

** Special Boat Service (SBS) (SBS) *** Special Boat Service (Reserve) *

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

Special Air Service The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling, and in 1950 it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terr ...

(SAS) *** 22 Special Air Service RegimentOverstretched SAS calls up part-time troops for Afghanistan, www.telegraph.co.uk
. Retrieved 21 February 2014 *** Special Air Service (Reserve) (SAS(R)) **** 21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve) **** 23 Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve) ** Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)Special Reconnaissance Regiment, publications.parliament.uk
. Retrieved 21 February 2014 ** 18 Signal Regiment (

Royal Corps of Signals The Royal Corps of Signals (often simply known as the Royal Signals – abbreviated to R SIGNALS) is one of the combat support arms of the British Army. Signals units are among the first into action, providing the battlefield communications an ...

) ** Special Forces Support Group *

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...

** Special Forces Flight of 47 Squadron (Royal Air Force) ** Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing *** 7 Squadron (

) *** 658 Squadron (Army Air Corps, British Army)

United States

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) * Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) **

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

*** 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D or "Delta Force") *** Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) *** Aviation Technology Office (ATO) (formerly "Flight Concepts Division") **

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

*** Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU or "SEAL Team Six") **

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

919th Special Operations Wing The 919th Special Operations Wing (919 SOW) is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) unit of the United States Air Force. The 919 SOW is assigned to the Tenth Air Force of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and is stationed at Duke Field (Eglin Air ...

(AFRC) ** 352nd Special Operations Group ** 353rd Special Operations Group * Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) **

Marine Raider Regiment The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), is a special operations force of the United States Marine Corps, which is a part of Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Renamed ...

** Marine Special Operations Support Group

Uruguay

Uruguayan Army * "Scorpion" Battalion (14th Parachute Infantry Battalion "Escorpión")

Venezuela

Venezuelan Army * 99th Army Special Operations Brigade Venezuelan Air Force * Special Operations Air Group 10 * Special Operations Air Group 15 * Special Operations Air Group 17

Vietnam

General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army * Vietnam People's Ground Force ** Special Forces Arms *** Special Forces Command at Thanh Trì District,

Hanoi Hanoi ( ; ; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Vietnam, second-most populous city of Vietnam. The name "Hanoi" translates to "inside the river" (Hanoi is bordered by the Red River (Asia), Red and Black River (Asia), Black Riv ...

*** 1st Special Operations Brigade (M1 Brigade) at

*** 113rd Land Commando Brigade at Vĩnh Phúc Province *** 198th Land Commando Brigade at Đắk Lắk Province *** 429th Land Commando Brigade at Bình Dương Province *** 5th Maritime Commando Brigade at Ninh Thuận Province ** High Command of Capital Hanoi *** 18th Commando Battalion at

** 1st Corp *** 1 Commando Battalion under Corps' staff at Ninh Bình ** 2nd Corps *** 1 Commando Battalion under Corps' staff at Bắc Giang ** 3rd Corps *** 20th Commando Battalion under Corps' staff at Pleiku, Gia Lai ** 4th Corps *** 1 Commando Battalion under Corps' staff at Bình Dương ** 1st Military Region *** 20th Commando Battalion at Thái Nguyên ** 2nd Military Region *** 19th Commando Battalion at Phú Thọ ** 3nd Military Region *** 41st Commando Battalion at

Hải Phòng Haiphong or Hai Phong (, ) is the third-largest city in Vietnam and is the principal port city of the Red River Delta. The municipality has an area of , consisting of 8 List of urban districts of Vietnam, urban districts, 6 Huyện, rural distri ...

** 4th Military Region *** 31st Commando Battalion at Hà Tĩnh ** 5th Military Region *** 409th Commando Battalion at

Đà Nẵng Da Nang or DanangSee also Danang Dragons (, ) is the list of cities in Vietnam, fifth-largest city in Vietnam by municipal population. It lies on the coast of the Western Pacific Ocean of Vietnam at the mouth of the Hàn River (Vietnam), Hàn R ...

** 7th Military Region *** 60th Commando Battalion at Bình Dương ** 9th Military Region *** 2012nd Commando Battalion at Vĩnh Long * Vietnam People's Navy ** Naval Special Operations Force *** 126th Naval Special Operations Brigade at Hải Phòng city * General Department II ** K3 Special Forces Brigade at

Hà Nội Hanoi ( ; ; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Vietnam, second-most populous city of Vietnam. The name "Hanoi" translates to "inside the river" (Hanoi is bordered by the Red River (Asia), Red and Black River (Asia), Black Riv ...

** 74 Special Forces Brigade at

** 94 Special Forces Brigade at Bình Dương

Zimbabwe

Special Forces of Zimbabwe

Notes

Miscellaneous Notes

References

* Ambinder, Marc, and D. B. Grady ''The Command: Deep Inside the President's Secret Army'', John Wiley & Sons, 2012 – for Joint Special Operations Command {{DEFAULTSORT:Special forces units, List of Special forces units and formations * Lists of military units and formations