This is a list of military special forces units, also known as special operations forces (SOF), currently active with countries around the world, that are specially organized, trained and equipped to conduct special operations.
These are distinct from special-purpose infantry units, such as the Royal Marine Commandos, found on the list of commando units, and also paratrooper units found on the list of paratrooper forces.
Definitions
NATO 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 (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
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
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
Royal Australian Air Force
No. 4 Squadron, B Flight
Royal Australian Navy
Clearance Diving Branch Divers serve with 2nd Commando Regiment as part of Tactical Assault Group (East)
Austria
Austrian Army
Jagdkommando
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Armed Forces
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
Belgium
Belgian Land Component
Special Operations Regiment in Heverlee
Botswana
Botswana Ground Force
1st Commando Regiment
Brazil
Brazilian Army
Special Operations Command
1st Special Forces Battalion (1º BFEsp)
1st Commando Battalion (1º BAC)
Special Operation Support Battalion
Brazilian Air Force
Airborne Rescue Squadron
Brazilian Navy
Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion (COMANF)
Combat Divers Groupment (GRUMEC)
Brunei
Royal Brunei Land Forces
Special Forces Regiment (SFR)
Bulgaria
Bulgarian Land Forces
68th Special Forces Brigade
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)
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
China – PRC
People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces
Colombia
National Army of Colombia
Special Forces Division (División de fuerzas especiales (DIVFE))
Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas
Colombian Air Force
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 Command (Cyprus)
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic Special Operations Forces
Ministry of Defence SOF Directorate
601st Special Forces Group
Denmark
Special Operations Command (SOKOM)
Jaeger Corps
Frogman Corps
Danish Home Guard
Special Support and Reconnaissance Company
The Royal Danish Navy also maintains a unique ski patrol unit that conducts dog patrols of Greenland throughout the year. This unit, the Sirius Patrol, maintains a combat capability.
Ecuador
Ecuadorain Army
IWIAS Jungle Commandos
El Salvador
Special Operations Command (CFE)
Egypt
Sa'ka Forces (Thunderbolt Forces)
Unit 777
Unit 999
Estonia
Estonian Special Operations Force (ESTSOF)
Ethiopia
Agazi Commando Division
Finland
Finnish Army
Utti Jaeger Regiment
Finnish Navy
Coastal Brigade
Naval Reconnaissance Battalion
Special Operations Detachment
France
Special Operations Command
French Army
Special Forces Command and Signal Company – (Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions des Forces Spéciales) (CCTFS)
1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment
4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment
French Navy
FORFUSCO
Commandos Marine
French Air and Space Force
Air Parachute Commando No. 10 (CPA 10)
Special Operations Division, Transport section (ET 03/61 Poitou)
Directorate-General for External Security
Action Division
Georgia
Defense Forces
GSOF
Germany
German Army
Rapid Forces Division
Special Forces Command (KSK)
Specialized Army Forces with Expanded Capabilities (EGB Forces)
German Air Force
Kampfretter
German Navy
Naval Special Forces Command (KSM)
Ghana
Ghana Armed Forces
Ghana Navy
Special Boat Squadron
Greece
Hellenic Army
13th Special Operations Command
1st Infantry Division
1st Raider/Paratrooper Brigade (LOK) (MAK)
32nd Marines Brigade
Hellenic Air Force
31st Search & Rescue Squadron (31MEED)
Hellenic Navy
Underwater Demolition Command (DYK) – is organized into sections called Underwater Demolition Teams (OYK)
Hungary
HDF 34th Bercsényi László Special Forces Battalion
21st Special Service Group / 21 Grup Gerak Khas (GGK)
Royal Malaysian Navy
Naval Special Warfare Forces / Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL)
Royal Malaysian Air Force
Pasukan Khas TUDM / RMAF Special Force (PASKAU)
Maldives
Maldives National Defence Force
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
Nepal
Shree Mahabir Battalion (Rangers Battalion, equivalent to and trained by the US Army Rangers (part of the Nepali Army Special Operation Force))
Netherlands
Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM)
Korps Commandotroepen (KCT)
Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF)
New Zealand
Special Operations Component Command
New Zealand Special Air Service
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
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
Special Service Group (SSG)
Pakistan Navy
Special Service Group Navy (SSGN)
Pakistan Air Force
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
1st Scout Ranger Regiment (SRR)
Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) (SFR-A)
Light Reaction Regiment (LRR)
Philippine Navy
Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM)
Philippine Marine Corps
Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG)
Philippine Coast Guard
Special Operations Force (SOF)
Poland
Wojska Specjalne
Jednostka Wojskowa Agat
Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza
Jednostka Wojskowa GROM
Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów
Jednostka Wojskowa Nil
Powietrzna Jednostka Operacji Specjalnych, commanded by Headquarters Special Troops Command, but part of Polish Air Force
Portugal
Portuguese Army
Commando Regiment
Paratroopers
Pathfinders Company
Special Operations Force
Portuguese Navy
Portuguese Marine Corps
Special Actions Detachment (DAE)
Sappers Divers Group
Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Police
Core of Tactical Operations of Protection (NOTP – Núcleo de Operações Táticas de Proteção)
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"
561st Emergency Rescue Center (Naval component, Sevastopol)
344th Army Aviation Combat Center
Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU)
Unit 29155 – based at the 161st Special Purpose Specialist Training Center
Unit 54777 – alternately called the 72nd Special Service Center
Unit 26165 – Fancy Bear, STRONTIUM
Unit 74455 – also known as the Sandworm Team or the Main Center for Technologies
Special Forces of the GRU
Russian Ground Forces
2nd Special Purpose Brigade in Promezhitsa, Pskov Oblast
3rd Special Purpose Brigade in Tolyatti
10th Special Purpose Brigade in Mol'kino, Krasnodar Territory
14th Special Purpose Brigade in Ussuriysk
16th Special Purpose Brigade in Tambov
22nd Special Purpose Brigade in Stepnoi, Rostov Oblast
24th Special Purpose Brigade in Irkutsk
346th Special Purpose Brigade (Prokhladny)
25th Special Purpose Regiment (Stavropol)
Russian Airborne Troops
45th Guards Special Purpose Brigade
Russian Navy
Naval Special Reconnaissance (OMRP) – Reconnaissance divers under operational subordination to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU)
Counteraction Underwater Diversionary Forces and Facilities (PDSS) There are PDSS units in all major Naval Bases.
National Guard of Russia
Dzerzhinsky Division (O.D.O.N.)
604th Special Purpose Center
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
MP Detachment for Special Operations "Cobras"
Singapore
Special Operations Task Force
Naval Diving Unit
Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation
Special Operations Force
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
Korea – ROK
Republic of Korea Army (ROKA)
ROK Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC)
The 707th Special Missions Group
ROK Army Special Forces (ROK-SF)
Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN)
Naval Special Warfare Flotilla
UDT/SEAL
Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit (SSU)
Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC)
ROK Marine Corps Reconnaissance Unit (ROKMC RECON)
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)
ROK Air Force Combat Control Team (CCT)
6th Search & Rescue Air Group
ROK Special Air force Rescue Team (SART)
28th Flight Group
Korea Defense Intelligence Command (KDIC)
Headquarters of Intelligence Detachment (HID)
Underwater Demolition Unit (UDU)
ROK CBR Defense Command
Korea CBRN Special Forces (KCSF)
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
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
Escuadrón de Zapadores Paracaidistas (EZAPAC, Paratrooper Sappers Squadron).