India has several Special Forces (SF) units, with the branches of the Indian Armed Forces having their own separate special forces units. The Indian Army has the Para SF, the Indian Navy has the MARCOS, and the Indian Air Force has the Garud Commando Force. There are other special forces which are not controlled by the military, but operate under civilian organisations, such as the National Security Guard under Home Ministry and Special Group under RAW. Small groups from the military SF units are deputed in the Armed Forces Special Operations Division, a unified command and control structure.
The Maldives National Defence Force is the national military responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the constitution to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the people. In 2021, India extended a credit line of $50 million to the Maldives for defense-related initiatives and a pact was signed to build the Uthuru Thila Falhu harbor.
Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship, the boarding of vessels during combat or capture of prize ships, and providing manpower for raiding ashore in support of the naval objectives. In most countries, the marines are an integral part of that state's navy.
The Marine Commandos, abbreviated to MARCOS and officially called the Marine Commando Force (MCF), are the special forces of the Indian Navy. The MARCOS were originally named Indian Marine Special Force, which was later changed to Marine Commando Force to impart "an element of individuality" to it, according to the Indian Navy. The abbreviation 'MARCOS' was coined afterwards.
Para (Special Forces), also known as Para Commandos or Para (SF) Commandos, is a group of special forces battalions of the Parachute Regiment in the Indian Army. These units specialize in various roles including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, counter-insurgency and direct action.
Major General Mohamed Zahir is a former Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) of the Republic of Maldives.
Major General (Retired) Moosa Ali Jaleel M.Phil. MSc ndc psc is a retired 2 star officer of the Maldives National Defence Force who served as the 3rd Chief of Defence Force of Maldives National Defence Force from 18 November 2008 until 7 February 2012. MG (Rtd) Moosa Jaleel also held office as the Minister of Defence from January to October 2015 during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The Maldivian Coast Guard is the naval or maritime arm of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Because the Maldives does not have a navy, the MNDF Coast Guard functions as the armed maritime force of the nation with a charter to contribute to national defence and by and large to respond to issues related to the maritime security of the nation. Therefore, the Coast Guard is documented as the custodian of the Maldives Maritime Domain. Maritime security is a constituent ingredient of the national security in a maritime nation such as the Maldives and its significance is best understood when one perceives the island or the archipelagic nature of the country.
The red beret is a military beret worn by many military police, paramilitary, commando, and police forces and should not be confused with the maroon beret worn by airborne troops all around the world.
Major General Michael Simon Hindmarsh is an Australian military officer, who holds a senior position within the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, commanding its elite force known as the Presidential Guard. A retired senior officer of the Australian Army, he spent over 30 years with the Australian Defence Force, during which time he served as Special Operations Commander Australia from 2004 to 2008, and as Commander of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East Area of Operations from March 2008 to January 2009. He retired from the Australian Army in mid-2009, and joined the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces as a special advisor and later, a commander of the UAE Presidential Guard, which is a UAE Armed Forces formation that includes both conventional and special forces units.
Lieutenant General (retd) Abdulla Shamaal MA MSc ndu psc is the former Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). General Shamaal was appointed to the post of Chief of Defence Force on 11 December 2018 by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and served until 17 November 2023. Shamaal was trained in various military institutions such as the United States Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, the Pakistan Military Academy and the Defence Services Staff College in India. Shamaal was previously discharged from service in November 2013 but was reinstated in December 2018 following High Court verdict that his discharge was unlawful. He has also held various Senior Command, Staff and Instructional appointments during his career.
The Brigades for the Defense of the Revolution, commonly referred to as Defense Companies or Defense Brigades were an all-Alawite paramilitary force in Syria that were commanded by Rifaat al-Assad. Their task was to defend the Assad government, and Damascus, from internal and external attack. In 1984 the 55,000 strong Defense Companies was broken up and merged into the Syrian Arab Army as the Republican Guard, and the 14th Special Forces Division, comprising 5 Special Forces regiments. The rump force then became the 569th Armored Division, which years later became the 4th Armoured division
The Khmer Special Forces, also designated 'Khmer SF' for short or Forces Speciales Khmères (FSK) in French, the tier 1 special forces of the Khmer National Armed Forces during the 1970-75 Cambodian Civil War.
The Pakistan Army Special Service Group or SSG is the special forces unit of the Pakistan Army. They are also known by their nickname of "Maroon Berets" due to their headgear.
Major General (Retd) Ahmed Shiyam was serving as the Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force. He was appointed to this post on 9 February 2012.
The MNDF Marine Corps are a frontline ground combat force of the Maldives National Defence Force, formed in 2006. The Marine Corps were established at various strategic locations and vulnerable areas to enhance the force projection to provide their services throughout the country. It is a lethal and a mobile force, with a high physical strength and combat capability.
Colonel (Rtd.) Mohamed Nazim (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ނާޡިމް is the former Minister of Defence and National Security of the Republic of Maldives and a politician. He is a founding member of Maldives National Party and currently the serving as the President of the party. He first became the Defense Minister on 8 February 2012 under the presidency of Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik. He last served as the Administrative Officer of the Integrated Headquarters of Maldives National Defense Force. He retired from active service on 15 January 2011.
The Ministry of Defence is the Maldivian government agency responsible for protecting the independence and the integrity of the Maldivian citizenry.
The Special Group (SG) is the special forces unit of India's Research and Analysis Wing responsible for covert and paramilitary operations. It is also known as 4 Vikas, 22 SF and 22 SG.. Its responsibilities include conducting those operations with which the Government of India may not wish to be overtly associated.
Maldives
