Top 10 Most Elite Special Forces in the World

GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) is a special operations unit of the French military, trained to carry out counter-terrorism missions and hostage rescues, both within France and internationally. The unit was formed in response to the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972, with the goal of preparing for potential future crises or terrorist attacks. Since its inception in 1973, GIGN has undergone continuous training to counter various security threats. Known for its rapid deployment and elite combat skills, the unit specializes in hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations. Today, GIGN is deployed in large-scale intervention, search, and protection missions.

All members must undergo rigorous training in marksmanship, sniping, parachuting, and close-quarters combat. GIGN is renowned for its world-class weapons training, which has led to numerous collaborations with other special forces and counter-terrorism units globally. Psychological skills and self-discipline are considered as crucial as physical fitness in their training. As with most special forces, the selection process is extremely tough, with only 7-8% of volunteers successfully completing the training. Members are also trained to disarm suspects without weapons. Since its establishment, GIGN has participated in over 1000 operations, rescuing more than 500 hostages, capturing over 1000 suspects, and neutralizing 15 terrorists.

SSG (Special Services Group) is an elite special forces unit of the Pakistani military, often compared to the U.S. Special Forces and the UK’s SAS. Established in 1956, the unit is also known as the ‘Black Storks,’ named after its iconic Maroon Beret. The SSG is renowned as one of the most formidable special forces in the world, admired for its resilience and bravery. As a Russian president once said, “With the Pakistan military and Russian weapons, you could conquer the world.” This highlights their professionalism and courage.

The SSG operatives are trained for various specialized missions, including amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, arms control, and special reconnaissance. Recently, the unit has played a key role in counter-terrorism operations along the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border and against extremist groups within Pakistan’s cities. The Pakistani military holds a prominent position in society, with Pakistan’s Defense Day celebrated on September 6th each year in honor of the army’s contributions to national defense. The Pakistani military is an all-volunteer force, with extensive combat experience, particularly in conflicts with India. Additionally, Pakistan actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations, deploying military advisors to African, South Asian, and Arab nations.

JW Grom (Jednostka Wojskowa Grom – Special Military Unit) is Poland’s elite counter-terrorism force, officially operational since July 13, 1990. It is one of the five special units within the Polish military. To join, candidates must undergo psychological tests, honesty assessments, and field evaluations. Named after ‘Grom,’ which means ‘thunder,’ this unit is trained to address a wide range of threats, including counter-terrorism and retaliation against enemy attacks. The unit’s members are specially trained to counter terrorism-related threats.

Currently, JW Grom has approximately 450 members, organized into teams of four. Their motto is “Serving the Nation.” The unit was actively deployed in Iraq in 2003. The Polish Armed Forces, with a regular military strength of 126,000 (ranked 42nd in the world), and a reserve force of 490,000, have a defense budget of $10.5 billion, which accounts for 2% of the GDP as of 2014. The Polish military is composed of four branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Forces, all under the control of the Ministry of Defense. The President of Poland serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Across the world, every nation organizes and trains its own special military forces. These elite units consist of the best soldiers, trained for missions that may seem impossible to achieve. GSG 9 is Germany's elite counter-terrorism unit, formed in 1973 after successfully rescuing 11 Israeli athletes kidnapped during the Munich Olympics. GSG 9 was the first unit to adopt the HK MP5, a weapon now widely used by special forces and counter-terrorism units globally.

This unit also takes part in protecting high-security locations, tracking targets, pursuing fugitives, and occasionally carrying out sniper operations. GSG 9 is actively involved in developing and testing new methods and tactics for various missions. From 1972 to 2003, GSG 9 successfully completed over 1,500 special operations. Initially composed of 180 members, its primary responsibilities include countering terrorist organizations, hostage rescue, preventing assassination attempts on officials and foreign diplomats, protecting sensitive government sites, and tackling serious crimes such as kidnapping and extortion. The unit is also responsible for developing, testing, and evaluating specialized tactics and techniques.

The elite counter-terrorism unit, Delta Force (1st SFOD-D), was officially established in 1997 following a series of public terrorist attacks on American soil. It is considered one of the most elite and secretive military units in the United States. Delta Force's operational model is closely modeled after the British SAS (Special Air Service) Regiment. The founder of SFOD-D, a former SAS operative, believed the U.S. needed a force as elite as the SAS. The primary mission of Delta Force involves counter-terrorism, direct action operations, and national security-related interventions.

Delta Force is known for its adaptability and capability to conduct a wide range of covert missions, including hostage rescue and responding to surprise attacks. The initial members of the unit were selected from volunteers and underwent a specialized selection process starting in early 1978, which involved dealing with increasingly challenging mountain terrain and various endurance and mental toughness tests. The first training cycle lasted from April to September 1978, and by Fall 1979, just before the Iran hostage crisis, Delta Force was certified as capable of carrying out its missions.

The acronym SEAL stands for Sea, Air, and Land, representing the diverse environments in which this elite special operations force operates. Comprising male personnel from the United States Navy, SEALs are among the most skilled and highly trained members of the U.S. Navy's Special Warfare Units. SEAL members often work with the CIA's Special Activities Division (SAD) and the Special Operations Group (SOG), recruiting operatives from their ranks. One of the most renowned joint operations between SEALs and the CIA was the MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War.

This collaboration continues today, notably in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. SEALs played a central role in the mission to locate and eliminate terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. SEALs remain part of the U.S. Navy's special operations forces, with training that is among the toughest in the world. They are the only U.S. military unit capable of executing underwater special operations, such as placing limpet mines on enemy vessels or conducting reconnaissance of enemy ports.

The SAS is one of the most elite special forces units in the United Kingdom, founded in 1941 during World War II. It has since served as a model for special forces worldwide. The SAS became a formal part of the British Army's Infantry in 1947, known as the 21st SAS Regiment. The unit gained international fame after a successful hostage rescue at the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980. Today, the SAS consists of one regular battalion and two reserve infantry battalions, with primary tasks of counterterrorism during peacetime and special operations in wartime.

Each SAS regiment is made up of four squadrons—A, B, D, and G—each containing 65 personnel. These squadrons are further divided into smaller teams of 15 men, excluding the squadron commander. Each small team has four specialists trained in areas such as radio communication, bomb disposal, medical skills, and linguistics, in addition to the basic skills required of all special forces soldiers. SAS operatives are trained in skills like diving, parachuting, sniping, hand-to-hand combat, and survival in extreme environments such as deserts or dense forests. The SAS conducts covert operations, counterterrorism, hostage rescues, and intelligence gathering.

The Marcos (Marine Commando Force) is an elite special forces unit of the Indian Navy, formed to carry out a range of operations including amphibious warfare, counterterrorism, special reconnaissance, irregular warfare, hostage rescue, personnel recovery, and asymmetric warfare. The soldiers of Marcos are trained, organized, and equipped for operations in maritime environments. They use a variety of weapons including the Indian FN FAL automatic rifle, M-16 rifles from the U.S., and Russian AK-47s. Sniper specialists are armed with the MSG and PSG-1 sniper rifles, along with modern pistols and machine guns. With a strong focus on underwater combat, Marcos forces are equipped with a variety of diving gear and specialized breathing equipment.

Transport vehicles include 2- and 4-seat tow boats, inflatable boats, and fast raiding craft. The unit also operates a small fleet based in Visakhapatnam port, equipped with several vessels for patrolling and amphibious landings. Additionally, Marcos uses six Sea King Mk.42C helicopters and a few Chetak light helicopters for mobility. To become a Marcos warrior, candidates undergo a grueling 11-month selection and training process, with only about 15% of volunteers passing. Afterward, a 9-month course on underwater combat and infiltration is required. Those wishing to join the QRS (Quick Response Squadron) must pass even more rigorous selection, learning counterterrorism, hostage rescue, shipboard assault, and skydiving skills.

GIS (Gruppo di Intervento Speciale) is an elite tactical counter-terrorism unit operating within the Carabinieri, Italy's military police. The Carabinieri are tasked with military duties from the Ministry of Defense, as well as law enforcement and public security from the Ministry of the Interior. Unlike the Polizia di Stato (State Police), the Carabinieri are part of the military, with some members regularly assigned to overseas military operations. Known as "La Benemerita" (The Meritorious), the Carabinieri are a trusted and prestigious law enforcement agency in Italy. The official use of this title began on June 24, 1864.

GIS was established by the Italian national police to combat the growing threat of terrorism. This elite unit is globally recognized for its exceptional marksmanship. Today, the GIS comprises over a hundred soldiers tasked with counter-terrorism, security operations, and training other forces. The unit is divided into sections, each covering a province. These sections are further split into companies, commanded by lieutenants who coordinate with local police and operate throughout the country, maintaining direct contact with the public. GIS has around 100 personnel and is responsible for counter-terrorism and security operations. It consists of three operational teams and a sniper/reconnaissance unit, each divided into smaller teams of four soldiers. At any given moment, one team is ready to depart within 30 minutes. GIS maintains strong ties with other elite units worldwide, including the SAS and GIGN. The members of these special forces are trained to be the best of the best, expected to complete even the most challenging missions.

EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is Austria's elite counter-terrorism unit. Based in Vienna, with teams deployed in Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck, EKO Cobra was formed in 1978 to counter the 1972 Munich Olympic attack on Israeli athletes. Known for its counter-terrorism operations, EKO Cobra has also participated in major events such as a hostage rescue at Graz-Karlau prison in 1996. It's recognized as one of the best-trained counter-terrorism forces in the world.

The unit is structured into two main divisions: command, administration, logistics, and training, and operations, which focuses on security, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue. EKO Cobra recruits only top-performing police officers with at least three years of service, aged 22 to 35, from Austria's Ministry of the Interior, as well as military special forces personnel. After selection, candidates undergo an intense 27-week training program that includes running with gear, swimming, parachuting, helicopter insertions, hand-to-hand combat, urban warfare, hostage rescue, first aid, and the use of specialized weapons.