Contents
List of military special forces units
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
Algeria
Algerian Land Forces (CFT) Algerian Navy (AN) Algerian Republican Guard (GR)
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Australian Army Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (East) Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (West) Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Divers serve with 2nd Commando Regiment as part of Tactical Assault Group (East)
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Army Bangladesh Navy Bangladesh Air Force
Belarus
Special Operations Forces Command
Belgium
Botswana
Brazil
Brazilian Army Brazilian Air Force Brazilian Navy
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burundi
Cambodia
Canada
Special Operations Forces Command
Chile
China – PRC
Colombia
Congo – DRC
Croatia
Special Operations Command (Croatia)
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic Special Operations Forces
Denmark
Special Operations Command (SOKOM) Danish Home Guard
Ecuador
El Salvador
Special Operations Command (CFE)
Egypt
Sa'ka Forces (Thunderbolt Forces)
Estonia
Estonian Special Operations Force (ESTSOF)
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Special Operations Command French Army French Navy French Air and Space Force Directorate-General for External Security
Georgia
Defense Forces ==Germany == German Navy German Army German Air Force
Ghana
Greece
Hellenic Army Hellenic Air Force Hellenic Navy
Hungary
India
Armed Forces Special Operations Division
Indonesia
Special Operations Command Indonesian Army Indonesian Navy Indonesian Air Force
Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran Army Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Military Intelligence Directorate Israeli Army Israeli Navy Israeli Air and Space Force
Italy
Italian Army Italian Navy Italian Air Force
Japan
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Jordan
Joint Special Operations Command
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Lithuanian Special Operations Force Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces
Malaysia
Malaysian Army Royal Malaysian Navy Royal Malaysian Air Force
Maldives
Malta
Mexico
Mongolia
Montenegro
Namibia
Netherlands
Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM)
New Zealand
Special Operations Component Command
Nigeria
Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) Nigerian Navy
North Korea – DPRK
North Macedonia
Army of the Republic of Macedonia
Norway
Norwegian Special Operation Forces (NORSOF)
Oman
Pakistan
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Special Operations Command (Philippines)
Poland
Portugal
Portuguese Army Portuguese Navy Portuguese Air Force
Romania
Rwanda
Russia
Special Operations Forces Command Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) National Guard of Russia
Saudi Arabia
Royal Saudi Navy Saudi Arabian Army
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
South African National Defence Force
South Korea – ROK
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Swedish Armed Forces Swedish Army Swedish Air Force Swedish Navy
Switzerland
Syria
Special Forces Command
Taiwan – ROC
Republic of China Army Republic of China Military Police Republic of China Marine Corps Coast Guard Administration
Thailand
Royal Thai Army Royal Thai Navy Royal Thai Air Force
Tunisia
Tunisian Army Tunisian Air Force Tunisian Navy
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
Special Operations Forces – headquarters in Kyiv Ukrainian Navy units National Guard of Ukraine
United Kingdom
United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF)
United States
United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
Uruguay
Venezuela
Venezuelan Army Venezuelan Air Force
Vietnam
General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army
Zimbabwe
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