Top 5 Special Forces Units in the World
Special forces units are the most selective, secretive and highly trained soldiers in the world. Their names have become legendary, and their kit and tactics have shaped everything from modern warfare to the loadouts you see on airsoft sites every weekend. Here are five of the most respected special forces units on the planet.
A note on this list: special forces operate in secrecy, so any ranking is subjective and based on public history and reputation. Many outstanding units around the world could easily make a list like this. We focus on history, selection and influence, not operational detail.
Special Air Service (United Kingdom)
The SAS is the unit that many others are modelled on. It was founded in 1941 in the North African desert by Lieutenant David Stirling, who believed small teams could cause far more damage behind enemy lines than large formations. Early raids against Axis airfields proved him right.
The modern regiment is best known to the public for Operation Nimrod in May 1980, when soldiers abseiled down the front of the Iranian Embassy in London on live television and ended a six-day siege. That moment turned the SAS into a household name.
Selection
SAS selection is one of the toughest military courses in the world. Candidates face weeks of punishing navigation marches in the Brecon Beacons, including the infamous “Fan Dance” over Pen y Fan, followed by jungle training and a demanding escape, evasion and resistance phase. Pass rates are reportedly very low.
US Navy SEALs (United States)
The SEALs were established in 1962, building on the frogmen of the Second World War’s Underwater Demolition Teams. As their name suggests, they are trained to operate from the sea, from the air and on land, and are among the most versatile special forces in the world.
Selection
Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) in Coronado, California, is legendary for Hell Week: around five and a half days of continuous training on very little sleep, much of it in cold surf. Candidates can quit at any time by ringing a brass bell, and many do. The Navy’s most elite counter-terrorism unit, often referred to as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six, carried out the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Delta Force (United States)
The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, better known as Delta Force, was created in 1977 by Colonel Charles Beckwith. Beckwith had served on exchange with the SAS in the 1960s and was determined that the US Army should have a similar unit for counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.
Delta’s early history includes the failed 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran, Operation Eagle Claw. The lessons learned from that failure led directly to the creation of dedicated US special operations aviation and joint command structures that remain in place today. Delta remains one of the most secretive units in the world and rarely acknowledges its operations.
GIGN (France)
The Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale was formed in 1974, one of several European units created after the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics showed that ordinary police forces were not equipped to deal with terrorist hostage-taking.
Its most famous operation came in December 1994, when GIGN stormed hijacked Air France Flight 8969 at Marseille airport, rescuing all of the remaining passengers and crew. The assault is still studied as a textbook example of aircraft hostage rescue. As part of the Gendarmerie, GIGN works across both domestic and overseas operations and is widely regarded as one of the finest counter-terrorism units in the world.
GROM (Poland)
Poland’s GROM (the word means “thunder”) was established in 1990 and honours the Cichociemni, the elite Polish paratroopers who were trained in Britain and dropped into occupied Poland during the Second World War. From the start it trained closely with British and American special forces.
GROM earned international respect during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when its operators helped secure offshore oil platforms and the port of Umm Qasr. It has since served extensively in Afghanistan, and is regarded as one of the best special forces units in Europe. It is also a favourite among airsoft players building distinctive impressions.
Honourable mentions
- Special Boat Service (UK): the Royal Navy’s maritime counterpart to the SAS.
- Special Air Service Regiment (Australia): renowned for long-range reconnaissance.
- KSK (Germany): Germany’s army special forces command, formed in 1996.
- JTF2 (Canada): Canada’s highly secretive counter-terrorism unit.
- Shayetet 13 (Israel): Israel’s elite naval commando unit.
Special forces and airsoft
Special forces have had a huge influence on airsoft. Many of the most popular loadouts at UK sites are inspired by them: MultiCam combat uniforms, plate carriers, high-cut helmets with night vision mounts, and short carbines with lights and optics. Building an “impression” is a big part of the hobby for many players.
If you want to put together a special forces inspired loadout, start with our airsoft clothing, plate carriers, helmets and accessories and night vision ranges. For the right pattern, see our guide to military camouflage patterns, and for the essentials read your first airsoft loadout.
Respect the real thing: wearing a style inspired by a unit is part of the fun, but never wear real unit insignia you have not earned in a way that could be mistaken for genuine service, and remember that real special forces soldiers serve and sometimes lose their lives in very real danger.
Build your impression
Plate carriers, helmets, MultiCam clothing and more to create a special forces inspired loadout.
Shop plate carriersShop helmetsFrequently asked questions
What is the best special forces unit in the world?
There is no definitive answer. The SAS is often named because so many other units, including Delta Force, were modelled on it, but units such as the SEALs, GIGN and GROM are equally respected.
How hard is SAS selection?
Extremely hard. It includes long navigation marches carrying heavy loads in the Brecon Beacons, jungle training and a resistance to interrogation phase. Only a small fraction of candidates pass.
Was Delta Force based on the SAS?
Yes. Its founder, Colonel Charles Beckwith, served with the SAS on exchange and modelled Delta Force on the British regiment.
What does GROM stand for?
GROM means “thunder” in Polish. It is Poland’s leading special forces unit, formed in 1990.
Can I build a special forces loadout for airsoft?
Yes. Special forces inspired impressions are hugely popular. Start with MultiCam clothing, a plate carrier and a high-cut helmet, then add accessories over time.
