In the modern world, perhaps no organization arouses our curiosity and imagination quite like the military. Most countries around the globe possess at least one special force to undertake a series of specific missions, with a recruitment and training process that is exceptionally rigorous. While many of these organizations have publicly available information, there are also several whose existence and operations remain shrouded in mystery.
A common thread among members of these special military organizations is their extremely secretive lifestyle, with most missions they undertake being highly challenging, often deemed impossible for regular units. This raises the question: which organization is the strongest? It’s tough to say! Each organization is formed within a unique context and has responsibilities that differ, ranging from counter-terrorism to hostage rescue and other covert operations.
Below is a list of the top 10 special military organizations in the world. This number may not be definitive, and there may even be more “elite” forces not yet included in this list.
1. GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) – France
National Gendarmerie Intervention Group of France
GIGN stands for National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, stationed in Satory, near Paris, and is France’s premier counter-terrorism unit. Established in 1974 following the murder of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the hostage situation at the Saudi Arabian embassy in Paris, GIGN has evolved from a mere 15 members to one of the most successful counter-terrorism units globally. The primary mission of GIGN is to prevent and eliminate terrorist threats, rescue hostages, counter riots, and undertake various high-risk combat missions.
The Gendarmerie is a hybrid force between military and police. Although part of the Ministry of Defense, its role shares many similarities with law enforcement, granting GIGN powers not typically available to a regular military unit, such as the authority to arrest suspects within France. Additionally, GIGN can operate as a military unit during counter-terrorism operations while also fulfilling police roles in crime-fighting activities.
Members of GIGN
Initially limited in size, GIGN recognized the need for preparedness after the tragic hostage crisis at a school in Beslan, which resulted in nearly 400 fatalities. Consequently, in 2007, the unit was restructured to expand its size and now comprises over 400 personnel.
Reportedly, GIGN is equipped with modern weaponry, including HK-416 assault rifles, Vepr-12, Glock-17 handguns, MR-73 revolvers, SIG Pro SP 2022, FN-P90 submachine guns, MP5, and various tactical gear such as bulletproof vests, helmets, night-vision equipment, and other support vehicles.
ABC News has ranked GIGN as one of the top 10 elite special forces in the world, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has selected GIGN as a training unit for anti-terrorism operations on aircraft for member countries.
2. SSG (Special Services Group) – Pakistan
SSG (Special Services Group) is Pakistan’s special forces unit, established in 1956, modeled after the American special forces and the British SAS. Out of four elite officers who apply, only one exceptional candidate is selected to undergo a rigorous nine-month training course that includes practical lessons and theoretical knowledge on tactics, hand-to-hand combat, weapon use, parachuting, and physical conditioning in diverse environments such as deep forests, deserts, jungles, and swamps.
Special Services Group
Recently, SSG successfully rescued hostages during an attack on the Lahore Police Academy and the Pakistan Army headquarters.
3. Sayeret Matkal – Israel
Sayeret Matkal is Israel’s special forces unit, focusing on reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue operations outside the country. Founded in 1957 to fill gaps within the Israeli Defense Forces, its members are selected from candidates with outstanding physical and intellectual attributes. These candidates undergo 18 months of training that includes basic infantry training, parachuting, counter-terrorism training, and reconnaissance-related activities.
Sayeret Matkal Special Forces
Sayeret Matkal began its first missions in 1960, but it was not until the successful hostage rescue operation of Air France Flight 139 at Entebbe Airport, Uganda, in 1976 that the world became aware of its reputation. During this operation, members of Sayeret Matkal executed a successful assault, neutralizing the terrorists holding the aircraft and its passengers captive, resulting in six hijackers being killed.
4. EKO-Cobra – Austria
The special forces unit EKO-Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) was established primarily for counter-terrorism following the attack on Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics in 1972. This organization consists of 450 members selected from the finest officers of the Austrian federal police. Like other special forces, EKO-Cobra undergoes extensive theoretical and practical training, including marksmanship, language proficiency, unarmed combat, and tactical operations.
EKO-Cobra Special Forces
Currently, EKO-Cobra has operational bases in major Austrian cities such as Graz, Linz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Feldkirch.
5. Delta Force – USA
Delta Force, officially known as The First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, is responsible for hostage rescue, reconnaissance, assaults, counter-terrorism operations, and various direct combat activities. Delta Force was established in 1977 in response to growing concerns about highly capable terrorist forces.
Delta Force
Candidates wishing to join Delta Force must be men aged 21 and older who score highly on aptitude tests and hold ranks from sergeant to staff sergeant. After passing the initial selection round, potential candidates undergo a series of grueling physical and mental tests designed to expose weaknesses. On average, only one out of ten is fortunate enough to be selected for a rigorous six-month training course.
6. JTF2 (Joint Task Force 2) – Canada
JTF2 was established in 1993, and following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it has expanded its size to include hundreds of members, focusing on special missions and counter-terrorism operations.
Joint Task Force 2
JTF2 has participated in escorting high-profile individuals and securing major events, such as the 2010 Winter Olympics. The unit has also been involved in significant operations, including hostage rescues in Iraq and neutralizing Serbian snipers in Bosnia. In Afghanistan, JTF2 operated alongside U.S. special forces such as SEALs, and its existence was so covert that even the Canadian Minister of Defense was unaware of their involvement in the early stages of the conflict.
7. Alpha Group (Russia)
Established in 1974, the Alpha Group, officially known as the A Department of the Special Purpose Center (FSB) of the Federal Security Service of Russia, is renowned for its elite counter-terrorism operations.
Alpha Group
The Alpha Group gained fame during the conflict in Afghanistan in 1979 when its members secretly infiltrated the Presidential Palace in Kabul, eliminating many insurgents. In 1985, a team from Alpha was dispatched to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, to rescue four Soviet diplomats.
Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Alpha Group continued to exist and participated in numerous counter-terrorism operations, notably the Dubrovka Theatre hostage crisis in Moscow in 2002 and the Beslan school siege in 2004.
8. Shayetet 13 (Israel)
Shayetet 13
Shayetet 13 is Israel’s special naval force established in 1948, involved in various military operations including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering. One of its most notable operations was the pursuit and elimination of the masterminds behind the attack on Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics.
9. Navy SEALs (USA)
SEAL is short for the United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams, operating across sea, land, and air. Founded in 1962, it is currently regarded as the most elite special operations force in the world, famously known for successfully eliminating terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, the head of Al-Qaeda, on May 2, 2011.
Navy SEALs
To apply to join the SEALs, one must be a male U.S. citizen who has served or has “orders” in the United States Navy. In addition to health being a key factor for military eligibility, applicants must graduate high school with a minimum score of 220 on the ASVAB and be proficient in all aspects of the English language. The age range for applications is from 17 (with parental consent) to 30.
To become a SEAL member, candidates must swim 500 yards in under 12 minutes and 30 seconds (ideally under 10 minutes), perform 42 push-ups in 2 minutes (ideally over 79), complete 50 (ideally 79) sit-ups in 2 minutes, and run 2.4 kilometers in 11 minutes and 30 seconds (ideally under 10 minutes and 20 seconds). All must meet the “best” standards due to the limited number of trainees accepted in each selection cycle.
Currently, the SEALs have about 2,500 members spread across various fronts worldwide. For management purposes, the U.S. categorizes SEAL units from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9. The absence of a unit 6 is due to its classification as the most elite and secretive segment of the SEALs. SEAL Team 6 is so enigmatic that the New York Times once referred to it as the “Jedi Knights” of America, the crème de la crème, the ultimate “All-Star” force. They are consistently assigned “impossible” missions and are likened to real-life “X-Men” and “Superman”.
10. Special Air Service (SAS) – United Kingdom
SAS (Special Air Service) is the British special forces unit established in 1941, considered the standard for special operations worldwide. The primary mission of the SAS is to conduct special military operations and counter-terrorism both domestically and internationally. The SAS also trains special forces from other countries, teaching guerrilla warfare tactics and operations under unexpected conditions.
Special Air Service (SAS)
To become a member of the SAS, candidates must swim continuously for 2 miles within 1.5 hours and run 4 miles in 30 minutes; subsequently, they must enter the wilderness for survival training, honing navigation skills and doing whatever it takes to survive. Although these challenges serve to assess candidates’ abilities, the level of difficulty is extremely intense.
On average, each SAS selection cycle has about 125 candidates, but only about 10 successfully complete the training.
