Top Ten Special Operations Forces in the World

Countries throughout the world train special operation forces within their military, so coming up with a list of top special operations forces in the world is difficult at best.  All special ops forces train their military men to be the best of the best, to take the impossible task and make it possible.  In that respect, all Special Operations units are top.  While the list below may not be everyone’s top ten, some of those listed would certainly be a part of any top ten lists.

10.  Russian Spetsnaz – What sets the Russian Spetsnaz apart from other specially trained special ops units around the world is their daily

exposure to physical punishment.  The purpose for this portion of their training is to teach them to endure physical pain and to work the mind to “enjoy” it since it is impossible to ignore it.  They are permitted to leave the training anytime they desire.  Their missions generally involve reconnaissance and close quarter combat.   Many of the bodyguards chosen for the high-tanking political figures of Russia are chosen from the Spetsnaz.

9.  Pakistan Special Service Group – This Pakistan Special Service Group (SSG) is also known as “Black Storks” a name derived from their unique headgear the “Maroon Beret”.  The SSG has ten specific missions for which they are trained:

• Asymmetric Warfare
  
• Special Operations
• Counter-Proliferation
• Unconventional Warfare
• Foreign Internal Defense
• Special Reconnaissance
• Direct Action
• Hostage Rescue
• Counter-Terrorist
• Personnel Recovery

This elite group from Pakistan is somewhat similar to the US Army’s Green Berets and the British Army’s SAS.  They often conduct exercise missions with Special Forces from other countries such as China and the UK.

8.  Austria Eko Cobra – This special ops tactical unit is involved mainly in counter-terrorism.  The group retains a low

 profile, despite their high-speed involvement in the war on terror.  In Europe, they are known for their competitive edge over other countries at S.W.A.T. and other competitions throughout Europe.  Though their covert missions are carried without with little or no media, they are still considered by many as one of the best trained counter-terrorist units in the world.

7.  French Army Special Forces Brigade – This French Special Ops group has one of the most rigorous qualification training programs in the world.  This group is subdivided into three specially trained

 areas:

• 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marin which is based in Bayonne.
• 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes based in Martignas-sur-Jalle.
• 4e Régiment d’Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales, the unit based in Pau.

Poland Invites Lockheed,BAE, Alenia To Bid For Jet Trainers

A   TS-11 Iskra is seen at the Kraków Air Show in 2007

WARSAW — Poland’s Ministry of Defense has invited Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Alenia Aermacchi to bid in an upcoming Polish Air Force advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft competition.

“We are planning to sign the contract for the procurement of ... the AJT in the first quarter of next year,” Lt. Col. Jacek Sonta, the ministry’s spokesperson, told the Army’s official publication Polska Zbrojna.

Under the plan, the Polish ministry will place an order for eight jet trainers and related infrastructure and equipment with an option for an additional four aircraft. The new jet trainers are intended to replace Poland’s TS-11 Iskra aircraft built by Sikorsky’s local subsidiary PZL Mielec.

In 2011, the ministry canceled its first tender for the aircraft after BAE Systems withdrew its Hawk advanced jet trainer from the contest. Four bidders were left competing for the Polish contract: Alenia Aermacchi, Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin, Czech Republic’s Aero Vodochody, and Finland’s Patria.

The competition was re-launched by the ministry in 2012. The original procurement for 16 lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft was estimated to be worth about 1.45 billion zloty (US $475 million).