If these badass special forces units have you in their sights, you're in trouble. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most efficiently dangerous special forces teams from around the world.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 The SAS man has got to be trained in every different climate so that if anything happens
00:05 there you can be posted there tomorrow. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our
00:10 picks for the most efficiently dangerous special forces teams from around the world. What you're
00:15 doing is you're taking elite soldiers out of special forces and rangers and you're training
00:20 them to ridiculously high levels. Number 20 Green Berets, United States of America. We don't strive
00:28 for the minimum, we strive for the maximum. Members of this special ops force from the
00:32 United States often specialize in a number of very specific skills. Chief among these is a
00:38 foreign language which all Green Berets must know and learn. This is because members of this force
00:44 are often required to collaborate and work with local military groups abroad while also communicating
00:49 with local humanitarian communities on the ground. Elsewhere Green Berets can also be counted on when
00:55 it comes to counter-terrorism efforts as well as what's known as unconventional warfare. We are
01:01 able to accomplish many tasks with few men. This can include but not be limited to training foreign
01:07 military and resistance groups that align with American interests in those countries. Number 19
01:14 Special Boat Service, SBS, United Kingdom. The Royal Navy possesses a long and rich history of
01:21 serving the United Kingdom with its SBS subdivision being introduced during World War II. Information
01:28 regarding their operations are kept under the highest security but are known to have pivoted
01:32 toward counter-terrorism operations around the tail end of the 1980s. The Special Boat Service
01:38 possesses a motto of "By Strength and Guile" and can conduct maritime offensive actions such as
01:43 airstrikes or coordinated demolitions assaults. Additionally SBS members are forced to undergo a
01:49 rigorous selection process so that only the best of Britain's best wind up making the cuts. Number
01:56 18 Spetsnaz, GRU, Russia. It's important to differentiate here the difference between Russia's
02:13 Spetsnaz GRU and the more general umbrella term of Spetsnaz forces that exist in other post-Soviet
02:20 states such as Ukraine. The Spetsnaz GRU occupy a specific area of Russia's military intelligence
02:27 and possess a history that dates back to sabotage operations during the Cold War. There's an air of
02:33 mystery today when it comes to the level of involvement of Spetsnaz groups in Russia,
02:37 partially due to members being reassigned over the years following Soviet collapse.
02:42 What is known is that the training here is high level and often involves personal combat at every
02:48 level. Together with extensive demolitions and counter-terrorism training, additional activity
02:53 from GRU groups has also been reported within the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Number 17
03:04 Jeyarkhor, Denmark. The Scandinavian country of Denmark often collaborates with allies abroad
03:11 when it comes to operations within their own special forces group, the Jeyarkhor. Members
03:16 of this exclusive outfit have been known to collaborate on training exercises with the
03:20 United States and Britain for example, while the Jeyarkhor's own history dates back largely to
03:26 Cold War reconnaissance. It's been asserted that only 10% of those who apply to the rigorous series
03:31 of training courses wind up becoming a full-fledged member of the Jeyarkhor. Those who do succeed,
03:37 however, can be assured that they've received elite training in hand-to-hand combat, marksmanship,
03:42 and even demolitions. Number 16 IKO Cobra, Austria. Members of the Federal Police Force
03:50 within Austria who are seeking to advance to the next level may apply to become a member
03:55 of that country's Einsatzkommando Cobra unit, also known simply as IKO Cobra. The selection
04:03 process includes a minimum six-month training period, wherein applicants will undergo training
04:08 in foreign language, rappelling, physical combat, and sniping. The IKO have also collaborated on
04:14 training exercises with allies abroad, and this preparedness has resulted in a number of
04:19 successful operations over the years. These include a specific instance where an IKO Cobra team was
04:25 able to stop an airline hijacking while it was still in the air, back on October 17, 1996.
04:33 Number 15 Kommando Spezialkräfte, KSK, Germany. The Munich Massacre that occurred during the 1972
04:41 Summer Olympics in West Germany served as a catalyst for many countries to increase specialization
04:47 within their armed forces. Germany's GSG 9 was created in the aftermath of this attack.
04:53 While the country's Kommando Spezialkräfte, or KSK, was created in 1996 to deal with extraction
05:00 and evacuation of German citizens abroad, today members of the KSK specialize in counterterrorism
05:06 measures abroad, as well as infiltration and unconventional warfare. However, the group's
05:11 secretive nature has led to allegations of internal far-right sympathy and toxicity within some of its
05:17 companies. This has resulted in some KSK companies being disbanded, while the group as a whole is
05:29 working to repair its image by including women amongst its current active ranks.
05:34 Number 14 Gruppo di Intervento Speciale, GIS, Italy. The roots of Italy's Gruppo di Intervento
05:54 Speciale come from its Carabinieri, a police force that works at both the local and federal levels.
06:01 This has resulted in a transformation from something like a police special squad to an
06:06 elite group of Italy's most esteemed tactical specialists. Memories of the years of lead,
06:12 a period of violent crime, kidnappings, and clashes between extremist groups from both the far right
06:18 and far left are still fresh within the minds of many Italian citizens.
06:22 Bomb attacks, kidnappings, and targeted killings. Railway stations, trains, public buildings,
06:28 political rallies, all targeted by bombs. Trade unionists, magistrates, journalists, policemen,
06:34 elected officials, all murder victims. As a result, the GIS specializes in hostage safety
06:40 and rescue, while also operating in the riskiest counterterrorism operations at home and abroad.
06:47 Number 13 Marine Commando Force, Marcos, India. It was through the assistance of both Britain's
06:54 SBS and the United States Navy SEALs that rigorous training of India's Marine Command Force was
07:00 achieved back in the mid-1980s. Today, that force, often known simply as Marcos, continues to work
07:07 together with the international community on joint operations, primarily of a maritime nature.
07:13 Details of the work are kept largely in shadow, while applicants to Marcos should expect at least
07:19 6 to 8 months of intense training. The failure rate for many hopefuls is between 80 to 85%,
07:25 but those who see it through to the end have experienced training in diving,
07:29 recon and combat, not to mention anti-piracy and terrorism operations.
07:35 Number 12 Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial, FG&E, Spain. The reputation of the Spanish Navy is
07:45 legend, with the Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial currently adding to that legacy as an internal,
07:51 specialized unit. The selection process for FG&E candidates is rigorous. Meanwhile,
07:57 the group's matters of military combat are also balanced out with search and rescue operations,
08:03 with members of Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial seeing deployment in areas such as Somalia,
08:09 Iraq, Haiti and Lebanon. Additionally, trained personnel within the FG&E are often trained in
08:15 diving, demolitions and bomb defusing, ensuring that their varied skills can come in handy in
08:20 both peacetime and war. Number 11 Snow Leopard Commando Unit,
08:26 the People's Republic of China. There is a lot that falls under the umbrella of interest for
08:38 the Snow Leopard Commando Unit within the People's Republic of China. The actual existence of the
08:43 group remained a secret for years, before it was officially revealed in 2006, and their actions
08:49 read like a veritable laundry list of policing and enforcement. Counter-terrorism operations,
08:55 riot control, bomb disposal, hostage extraction, even executing search warrants under dangerous
09:01 circumstances, the Snow Leopard Commando Unit has done it all. The group's training also
09:06 involves tests of both physical and psychological endurance, a high standard that's designed to
09:11 ensure resilient and formidable members across the board. Number 10
09:25 National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, GIGN, France. After the deadly terrorist attack at the
09:32 1972 Olympics in Munich, France assembled an elite SWAT team designed to specifically deal
09:38 with hostage situations, but whose expertise has since broadened in scope. With over 100
09:44 anti-terror missions, organized crime and hostage rescue operations every single year.
09:50 With approximately 380 operatives, each member undergoes a rigorous training period of 14 months
09:56 that consists of weapons training, airborne insertion, and survival skills in almost any
10:01 environment. The GIGN also has one of the best shooting schools in the world, producing some
10:06 of the most skilled long-range marksmen in the field today. Although their operations are largely
10:11 classified, the successful rescue of 166 hostages from a hijacked Air France flight in 1994
10:18 solidified GIGN's reputation for tactical prowess. Number 9. Grom Military Unit, Poland.
10:35 When Poland sends in their special forces, they bring the thunder, quite literally too,
10:41 since that's what "Grom" means in several Slavic languages. After a couple of unsuccessful
10:46 proposals, the Polish government finally agreed to form a counter-terrorism unit in 1990 following
10:52 the takeover of one of their embassies in Switzerland, as well as the shooting deaths
10:56 of two Polish diplomats in Beirut. Modeled after and trained by some of the most elite forces in
11:02 the world such as Delta Force and the SAS, this group of soldiers specializes in creating havoc
11:07 behind enemy lines along with severely disrupting terrorist activity. Apart from being expert
11:13 killers, three-quarters of Grom are trained medics because the best defense is a good offense.
11:18 Number 8. Sayeret Metkal, Israel. This top-secret branch of the Israeli Defense Force,
11:26 IDF, specializes in deep reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering techniques.
11:32 Its existence wasn't acknowledged for almost 30 years, and its personnel were selected purely
11:38 based on their skills and referrals. It is closely modeled after the British SAS,
11:43 going so far as to even borrow their motto, "Who dares, wins." After completing a rigorous and
11:49 exhausting selection process, recruits undergo approximately a year and a half's worth of
11:54 training, including counter-terrorism, parachuting, and multiple forms of combat,
11:59 such as Krav Maga, a brutal style of self-defense that was created by the IDF itself.
12:04 To serve in IDF Special Force units, you must pass several rigorous exams, which test both
12:10 intellectual and physical abilities. Since many missions require you to carry tons of equipment
12:16 and survive under harsh conditions, you must be prepared. Unlike Israel's naval commandos,
12:23 Sayeret 13, Sayeret Metkal, is primarily a strategic unit whose missions are meticulously
12:29 planned and are so secretive that they are not allowed to wear their insignia in public,
12:34 because plausible deniability is the name of the game.
12:37 Number 7. Special Services Group (SSG) - Pakistan Consisting of roughly 5,600 soldiers,
12:46 the SSG has been active since 1956 and has been the main special operations unit of Pakistan's
12:53 army. Training of its members is heavily focused on physical preparation, with only a small
12:59 percentage of hopeful recruits making it through the process. They have conducted exercises with
13:10 elite forces from the United States and Turkey, as well as China, refining techniques in mountain
13:16 warfare and are also regarded as having one of the toughest combat diving courses in the world.
13:22 Being in such close proximity to Afghanistan, this unit has been a key player in the war on terror
13:28 and is credited as being responsible for the death of the Global Operations Chief of Al-Qaeda.
13:32 Number 6. Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) - Australia Yet another group copied after the
13:43 training and selection process of the British SAS, Australian special forces breed some of the
13:49 deadliest warriors on the battlefield. The main focus of this regiment is counter-terrorism,
13:55 peacekeeping as well as quelling domestic situations. Recruits are hand-picked from
13:59 within the military then weeded out during an intense three-week course where prospective
14:04 trainees are subjected to a battery of physical and mental evaluations.
14:18 Smaller reconnaissance squads, skilled in evasion tactics, allow them to slip in and out of enemy
14:24 territory to gather intelligence and are also used to paint targets for surgical airstrikes.
14:30 These guys can snatch high-value personnel or blow up airfields faster than a dingo can eat a baby.
14:35 Number 5. Joint Task Force 2 (JTF-2) - Canada This exercise is a parachute assault from over
14:45 3,000 meters up. The kind of precision attack that's expected from these commandos who prefer
14:55 to call themselves operators. Oh Canada, who even knew you had a team of special forces? Probably
15:02 not many because apparently it's mandated by the government to never mention their existence.
15:07 I think it's important to showcase the work we put in, the capabilities we bring to the table.
15:12 I think there is this misconception, this veil of secrecy that's been draped over
15:17 our forces and our abilities, our deployments throughout the years.
15:21 But not only do they exist, they are also considered to be one of the most elite forces
15:25 operating in the world today. Active since 1993, there is little known about this highly
15:30 classified unit, but they have played instrumental roles in arenas worldwide, such as Libya, Haiti,
15:37 and Afghanistan. Their involvement in the rescue of three peacemakers in Iraq
15:41 was lauded by British and US officials. Apart from acting as bodyguards to military and government
15:47 executives traveling outside the country, they also helped secure facilities during the 2010
15:52 Winter Olympics. Delta Force (United States of America)
15:58 Officially known as the first special forces operation detachment, Delta,
16:05 it's almost impossible for a list like this not to include these bad boys.
16:10 "For those on the inside, it's just CAG, Combat Applications Group."
16:15 "Because no one will speak of Delta Force officially."
16:17 Established in 1977, this group of operatives excels at missions involving counter-terrorism,
16:23 hostage rescue, and reconnaissance. Like most other special forces,
16:28 members are chosen from within the military, and the percentage of those who actually pass
16:32 remains incredibly low. "What you're doing is you're taking
16:35 elite soldiers out of special forces and rangers, and you're training them to ridiculously high
16:40 levels." However, once successful, further vetting from the CIA can result in Delta operators
16:46 inducted into even more highly covert units. Although most of their operations are classified,
16:52 their involvement has come to be known during Operation Desert Storm, as well as Operation
16:56 Gothic Serpent, which was made famous in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down.
17:02 Number 3. Alpha Group - Russia If there's one thing to learn from history,
17:07 it's never to underestimate the Russian military. Like, ever. While little is known about what
17:13 exactly Alpha Group's primary objectives are, their scope has extended over the years from
17:18 strictly domestic missions to include those abroad. We also know that no matter where they operate,
17:24 it would appear collateral damage is not of the highest concern. Whether it be assassinating a
17:28 young boy while forcing a regime change in Afghanistan, or dozens of hostages being killed
17:34 during a botched rescue attempt on home soil, Alpha will get the job done, even if they have
17:39 to level an entire city block in the process. Number 2. Navy SEALS - United States of America
17:47 Unlike their Delta brothers, this team of soldiers is widely acknowledged by the military
17:52 and praised for their superior tactics in sea, air or land, hence SEAL. Trainees must undergo
17:59 the trials and tribulations of the infamous Hell Week, a six-day endurance course where hopeful
18:04 candidates undertake a series of grueling challenges, all the while operating on less
18:08 than four hours of sleep. In this grueling five-day stretch, each candidate runs more than
18:13 200 miles and sleeps only a total of four hours during the entire time. The rigorous schedule
18:19 involves at least 20 hours of physical training each day. SEAL groups are broken up into teams
18:24 of 1 to 5 and 7 to 10 respectively, with the specially designed Team 6 being the best of the
18:30 best, requiring even more training than regular members. These are the guys responsible for
18:36 killing Osama Bin Laden and rescuing Tom Hanks, we mean Captain Phillips, from Somali Pirates in
18:43 the Indian Ocean. Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get
18:54 notified about our latest videos. You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or
18:59 all of them. If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
19:06 Number 1. Special Air Service (SAS) - United Kingdom Considered the best in the world,
19:13 there's a reason so many other countries have used these guys as a template for their own branch of
19:18 special forces. For example, their endurance test is a notorious race against time, where troops
19:24 traverse 40 miles in full gear over a mountain in 20 hours, before having to run 4 miles in
19:30 30 minutes and then swim 2 miles in under 90 minutes. Although it's becoming harder to
19:46 distinguish between the SAS and SVS, which stands for Special Boat Service, the latter's diverse
19:52 nature and additional training makes them better equipped to handle a wider variety of situations.
19:57 The SAS man has got to be trained in every different climate, so that if anything happens
20:02 there, you can be posted there tomorrow. And despite being active since World War II,
20:06 their storming of an Iranian embassy in 1980 was what brought the regiment worldwide recognition.
20:12 Watched around the world, these pictures have become synonymous with the regiment,
20:17 until then, widely unknown. Do you know anyone who's served in any of these elite branches?
20:22 Which one impresses you the most? Let us know in the comments.
20:26 Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,
20:35 and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.