Special forces units in the Israel Defense Forces encompass a broad definition of specialist units. Such units are usually a regiment or a battalion in strength.
Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations may include reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism, and are typically conducted by small groups of highly trained personnel, emphasizing sufficiency, stealth, speed, and tactical coordination, commonly known as special forces.
The Special Intervention Group is a tier one special forces unit created in Algeria in 1987, initially with 400 members.
The Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) is the only tier one police tactical unit of the Spanish Civil Guard that specialized in counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, high-risk tactical special operations, quick raid to capture or kill high-value targets, and VIP protection.
The VIP Protection Unit, otherwise known as G4 is a protective security unit branch of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) that specialized in anti-irregular military, counter sudden attacks, counterterrorism, crowd control, executive protection, hostage rescue, tactical emergency medical services, tactical special operations, and support provide security to important locations that are at risk of attack or terrorism.
The 707th Special Mission Group is the only tier one special forces unit of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC). This unit is a well-known special mission unit primarily involved in black operations, capturing or kill high-value targets, counterterrorism, direct action, executive protection, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, special operations that are extremely high-risk and dangerous, and special reconnaissance to collect high-risk tactical intelligence.
The Special Tasks Unit is the only tier one special forces unit falling under the Special Operations Command, branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS). It was established in September 1991. The unit is specially organized, trained and equipped for the performance of high-danger tasks. The soldiers in the unit continuously train to enhance their professional preparedness and are provided with specialized equipment in order to carry out their tasks efficiently. Their motto is "The brave man wins".
The Special Actions Detachment or DAE is the tier one special force maritime unit of the Portuguese Navy. It is part of the Portuguese Marine Corps. Raised in 1985, the DAE is one of the smallest special forces units within the Portuguese Armed Forces. It is responsible for conducting air-sea rescue, amphibious reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, black operation, bomb disposal, CBRN defense, coastal raiding, counterterrorism, direct action, executive protection, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, ISTAR, long-range penetration, JTAC, manhunt high-value target, maritime sabotage, mountain rescue, naval boarding, operation behind high risk enemy lines, special operations, special reconnaissance, tracking targets, underwater demolition, unconventional warfare, other missions in support of Portuguese and NATO armed forces. DAE's mission and training are similar to their American counterparts DEVGRU and the British SBS. DAE often trains with them alongside other SMU counter-terror units.
The Marine Commandos are one of two tier one special forces of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). They are part of the Lebanese Special Operations Command (LSOCOM). Established with assistance from the United States Navy SEALs and the British Royal Marines Commandos, they are tasked with conducting a variety of missions, particularly in a maritime environment, which include: amphibious reconnaissance, anti-piracy, black operation, irregular warfare, ISTAR, maritime counter-sabotage, maritime counterterrorism and hostage rescue, naval boarding, naval special warfare, special operations behind enemy lines, and support maritime security. The Marine Commandos were established in 1997, then got their administrative independence in July 2001.
The JMF Elite Unit, formerly known as the JMF Elite Forces until 2023, is an elite special forces unit under the administration of the Johor Military Force (JMF). The JMF serves as the private army of the state of Johor, located in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, just north of Singapore.
The 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard is the elite mechanized infantry Queen's Guard regiment under the 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). They are trained like special operations forces. The regiment was created in 1950. It is known as the Queen's Guard or Thahan Suea Rachini. It is sometimes referred to as the "Eastern Tigers". The regiment is based in Chonburi.
Goongloen GongmaBatoo Tshering, DYG, DRT, DW, DT, DK, is the current Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army (COO). He succeeded the outgoing chief, Goongloen GongmaLam Dorji on 1 November 2005.
Lam Dorji was the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) from 1964 to 2005. He was succeeded by Batoo Tshering on 1 November 2005.
The 604th Red Banner Special Purpose Centre "Vityaz" is a spetsnaz unit of the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya) that responding to especially dangerous and high-risk situations such as counter-revolutionary, counterterrorism, direct action, escort high-ranking government officials in dangerous situations or areas, high-risk law enforcement situations, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, operating in difficult-to-access and dangerous areas, providing security important government buildings and infrastructure in time of crisis, serving high-risk arrest and search warrants, special operations in dangerous areas, special reconnaissance for gathering tactical field intelligence, and supporting crowd control operations during confession plans or meeting. The 604th Special Purpose Center's missions are primarily domestic operations, very few are sent on military or paramilitary police missions outside the country.
The Special Operations Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Regiment also known as Task Force 90 is the tier 1 special forces of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). It is currently part of the 3rd Special Forces Regiment King's Guard (Airborne), Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command (RTASWC).The Task Force 90 has been sometimes referred to as the Thai Delta Force
The 116th Operational Maneuvers Regiment is a special forces regiment of the Algerian Land Forces.
The 104th Operational Maneuvers Regiment is a special forces regiment of the Algerian Land Forces, and is also a parachute regiment.
The Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit (ARP) (Chinese: 海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵搜大隊); not to be confused with the other commando frogmen unit within the ROC Armed Forces; being the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion of the Republic of China Army (ROCA), is a special operations forces of the Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC) that specialized in amphibious reconnaissance, clandestine operation, commando style raids, irregular warfare, long-range penetration, maritime counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, naval special warfare, special reconnaissance, and underwater demolition.
The LOTAR Unit,, is a mista'arvim unit that specializes in training with clandestine operation, collect tactical intelligence in dangerous areas, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, covert operation, irregular warfare, scouting, and sniper within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), also known as Unit 707 or The Counter-Terror School. LOTAR is a portmanteau of Hebrew: לוחמה בטרור, romanized: Lochama Be'Terror, lit. 'Combating terrorism'.
Royal Bhutan Army