Discussions regularly take place in various American and European publications on the topic: which special units are better trained? The question most often asked is: “Who wins: the Russian Alpha or the American Navy SEALs?”
Serious topic
The educational American portal comicvine.com offered its readers a topic: “Navy Seals” versus Russian special forces: what do they think about it? The question was posed bluntly, who in their opinion would win if two thousand fighters from Alpha, Vympel and the elite GRU special forces met in battle with two thousand rangers from the Navy SEALs and Delta Force units.
Referring to the opinion of military experts, the comicvine.com portal warned its subscribers that the training of Russian special forces personnel is more rigorous than in American groups. At the same time, the SEALs and soldiers of the 1st Operational Detachment Delta have a technological advantage in weapons and special equipment.
2501 people took part in the discussion. Typical opinions are listed below.
@CadenceV2: Technological weapons cannot be the only factor influencing victory. Russian special forces are well trained and can use almost any foreign weapon. It is important that the Russians can fight alone, while the Americans rely on a team.
And if we are talking about confrontation between special units, then the battlefield will certainly be limited. Most likely - in the city, in buildings, in tunnels, where the reaction and personal physical data of the soldiers are important. And one more thing: when Alpha stormed Amin’s palace, 5 Soviet soldiers were killed (according to others - 20 people), while here in America, where the law provides for the safe training of military personnel, over the past two years 78 soldiers have died in training alone.
AmazingScrewOnHead: Russian special forces would win! Training is more important. Currently, the US Navy SEALs have nothing special that no one else has. All leading countries use the same military technologies.
@CadenceV2: America has the best military in the world. It's all about the latest weapons! Only the Chinese can beat us in some areas. Russia still lags behind. But I don’t want to participate in the “America versus Russia” topic. Don't forget that it was Russia that won WW2 (World War II - ed.), although the Germans had much better technology.
Russians fight better
The authoritative English-language military portal armchairgeneral.com provided the following post: “...In hand-to-hand combat, Russian special forces are the best military unit in the world. Its members spend more time training than any other special forces in the world, including the Navy Seals, Rangers, Green Berets, Delta, SAS and Israeli Commandos. In addition, Russian special forces are learning not only the methods of the perfect assassination, but also non-lethal martial arts such as boxing, judo and other techniques commonly used in MMA-FIGHT (in fighting without rules). The way they train is similar to professional training for MMA-FIGHT sparring.”
Americans are focused on complex missions
Navy SEALs are required to swim 500 meters in 8 minutes and do 100 squats in 2 minutes. At the same time, they shoot well. They are trained in special military intelligence techniques. In particular, camouflage techniques directly at the enemy’s location. Priority is given to knowledge that allows the use of observation robots and new tracking systems, not to mention the ability to move on a wide variety of vehicles, including enemy helicopters.
Navy SEALs are trained at a training center in Panama City Beach (Florida). “Soldiers are required to navigate underwater in dark labyrinths using the Sonar System,” explains Daniil Iakov, a leading specialist in advanced training courses for the Seals command squad, explaining the essence of the training. “In total, we are talking about performing 230 professional missions on land, in the air and under water, including in sunken submarines.”
Special forces as a destination
More and more analysts on the psychotechnics of combat units agree that ideal warriors are not made - they are born. Training, of course, is important as a factor in developing genetic talent. For example, Professor Martin Seligman from the University of Pennsylvania argues that without taking into account this approach to selecting candidates, instead of a mobile battle group, you can only get a good sports team of decathletes who run well, swim fast, shoot accurately, and so on. But he doubts that such athletes are capable of performing real combat missions that are assigned to special forces. In his opinion, only 0.5 to 2% of men (depending on the mentality of the people) can actually fight. The rest, at best, will help them, at worst, they will become cannon fodder. As for the Russians, Russia's rich military past gives it undoubted advantages.
The most significant operations of the Navy SEALs
In 1962, the first SEAL commander, Roy Boehm, participated in reconnaissance in Cuba in anticipation of a possible assault on the island. He managed to photograph Soviet nuclear missiles being unloaded at the pier. The operation was carried out under close guard by Fidel Castro's soldiers. The resulting images were of strategic importance for the United States.
48 SEALs were killed in the Second Indochina War, but they inflicted significant damage on the North Vietnamese army. Military expert Edwin Moïse called the SEALs the biggest scourge of the communists. It was the soldiers of the Det Bravo detachment from the special forces SEAL Team who managed to obtain intelligence information about the start of the Tet Offensive in early 1968, thereby allowing them to prepare for defense.
On May 2, 2011, at a residence in Abbottabad, which was 50 km from Islamabad, members of the 6th SEAL team killed terrorist No. 1 Bin Laden.
The most significant operations of Russian special forces
On December 27, 1979, soldiers of the GRU special forces and the so-called “Muslim battalion” with a total of 600 people, as part of an operation called “Storm-333”, took the Taj Beg estate, better known as Amin’s palace. They were opposed by two thousand guards of the Afghan leader.
On June 19 - 22, 2001, in the Chechen village of Ermolovskaya (Alkhan-Kala), Alpha fighters eliminated the gang of Emir Tarzan - Arbi Barayev.
On October 23 - 26, 2002, in Moscow, at the Dubrovka Theater Center, the “Alfovites” destroyed a terrorist organization led by Movsar Barayev. 750 hostages were rescued. According to the unofficial version, 120 people died due to improperly organized assistance.
On September 1–3, 2004, in Beslan, militants of Ruslan Khuchbarov took 1,300 children and adults hostage in school building No. 1. Alpha employees eliminated the terrorists in the most difficult conditions. This operation turned out to be the most dramatic and difficult for Russian special forces.
Small arms of American special forces
Pistols:
MK23 Mod 0.45 cal SOCOM
M11 Sig Sauer р228 (9mm)
M4A1 assault rifle (5.56mm) with accessory set SOPMOD
Sniper rifles:
MK11 Mod 0 Sniper Weapon System (7.62mm)
M82A1 large caliber sniper rifle
Submachine gun HK MP5 Submachine Gun (9mm)
Benelli M4 Super 90 combat shotgun, and so on.
Small arms of Russian special forces
PSS "Vul" pistol
Automatic grenade launcher complex OTs-14 "Groza"
Special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez”
Rifle sniper complex VSK-94
Sniper rifle ORSIS T-5000
Special automatic machine AS "Val"
Underwater special assault rifle APS
Automatic SR3 "Whirlwind"
NRS/NRS-2 reconnaissance shooting knife.
P.S. To be fair, the majority of respondents participating in a survey by the comicvine.com portal about which special forces are better are confident that the main task of Russian and American special forces is the fight against terror and the protection of civilians in critical situations. They considered posing the question of who would defeat whom to be provocative and dangerous.
Photo at the opening of the article: photo at the exhibition of the association of veterans of the anti-terror unit “Alpha”, Russia. Moscow, 2007 / Photo: Evgeny Volchkov/TASS
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) May 8, 2018
Formerly known as the Snow Wolf Commando Unit, the Chinese special forces "Snow Leopards" have long been classified. For five years, its fighters secretly practiced counter-terrorism operations, actions in the event of mass unrest, and learned to defuse explosive devices. This is how the Snow Leopards were trained to provide security for the Olympic Games held in Beijing in the summer of 2008.
Also, during the exercises, Chinese special forces, together with their Russian colleagues, practiced operations to maintain peace and stability.
The Snow Leopards pride themselves on their high speed and accuracy of fire, their strength and endurance, as well as their fighting spirit and willingness to sacrifice.
You can apply for a place in the detachment only after two years of service in the People's Armed Police of China (internal troops of the PRC - approx. "RG"). According to the publication, the Leopards are superior to many other special forces in terms of martial arts and close combat skills.
British "Special Boat Service"
SBS and Delta Force soldiers during an operation in Tora Bora, Afghanistan. Photo: US Government
“By force and cunning” is the motto of the Special Boat Service of the Royal Navy, one of the most secretive and elite special forces in the UK.
SBS is the British equivalent of the US Navy Special Forces. During the selection process for fighters in this special unit, 90 percent of the recruits are eliminated. The selection itself is a grueling endurance test that lasts four weeks. It ends with a 40-kilometer forced march, which takes less than 20 hours.
British special forces are taught to master weapons, live in the jungle, and survive on the battlefield.
Emerging after World War II, today the SBS is one of the most respected special forces in the world. British special forces took part in combat operations against the terrorist groups ISIS and Al-Qaeda banned in the Russian Federation, and also carried out rescue operations in Libya and Sierra Leone.
Polish GROM
THUNDER. Photo: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum / wikimedia.org
The name of the Polish military special forces unit is an abbreviation and stands for Operational Maneuver Response Group. The group was created in 1990 to protect Jews who emigrated from the USSR to Israel. It operated in areas where increased Hezbollah activity was observed. GROM's existence remained a secret until 1994, when Polish special forces were sent to Haiti to take part in an operation to "restorate democracy."
This special unit specializes in hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations. Its fighters are well armed, trained in diving and parachute jumping, explosives and operating various vehicles.
Pakistan Special Forces Group
Special purpose group. Photo: Hbtila/wikimedia.org
According to media reports, special forces training in Pakistan includes a 58-kilometer march, which takes 12 hours, as well as an eight-kilometer run with full equipment, which is given only 35 minutes.
Created to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism, the Special Forces Group is primarily a grueling physical training program that is accompanied by training at parachute school, as well as a 25-week commando course and hand-to-hand combat training. According to reports, only 5 percent of applicants make the cut.
The group is actively involved in counter-terrorism operations.
American "Delta"
Delta Force is an elite unit of the US Army, the majority of its recruits are drawn from the 75th Army Ranger Regiment and Green Beret units (Delta also recruits Navy and Air Force personnel). The unit, which has changed several names, specializes in capturing and eliminating high-value targets, destroying terrorist cells and performing a variety of secret missions.
Most Delta Force missions remain secret, although they are credited with capturing Saddam Hussein and killing Osama bin Laden.
A video leaked online shows Delta operatives being trained. During training, Delta fighters have to pretend to be hostages while their colleagues fire at targets located next to them. This serves as proof of the commandos' marksmanship, builds trust within the special forces and trains soldiers to avoid being taken hostage.
French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN)
GIGN. Photo: Domenjod/wikimedia.org
GIGN is one of the most capable counter-terrorism units in the world. His main goal is to gain access to the site of a terrorist attack as quickly as possible, and then capture or kill the attackers before they can cause more damage.
The GIGN fighter training program lasts fourteen months. Documentarians filming a group of recruits witnessed how the number of applicants for service in the Intervention Group dropped from 120 people to 18 in just two weeks. Special forces are taught to handle weapons, shoot accurately, parachute jump, including from great heights, scuba dive, conduct hand-to-hand combat, survive in difficult conditions and defuse explosive devices.
French special forces soldiers are not only lethal, but also disciplined.
Israeli "Sayeret Matkal"
Sayeret Matkal fighter. Photo: IDF
Sayeret Matkal, also known as Unit 269, is a special unit of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Wide reconnaissance capabilities and successful operations to eliminate terrorists and free hostages ensured a good reputation for the fighters of this special unit created in 1967.
Israeli special forces rely on secrecy, attacking in small camouflaged groups and withdrawing before the enemy has time to realize what has happened.
One of the most famous Sayeret Matkal operations was the release of passengers from an Air France plane in Entebbe in 1976. Planning the operation took a week, putting the plan into execution took just over an hour.
Undercover special forces drove up to the terminal building, after which they burst into it and destroyed all the terrorists. They managed to rescue 102 of the 106 hostages, losing one soldier.
Spanish Special Naval Forces
Spanish special forces and an American Navy SEAL. Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jeffrey Lehrberg
Special naval forces were created in 2009, when various special forces of the fleet entered into a single combat formation. They include combat divers, explosives experts and members of the Special Operations Squad, which has become the basis of special naval forces.
Spanish naval special forces specialize in combating terrorists and saboteurs, search and rescue operations and storming ships.
The Spaniards have experience rescuing hostages and fighting pirates. So, in 2002, they stormed a North Korean ship transporting missiles to Yemen, and in 2011 they rescued a French hostage from Somali pirates.
And this is just what became known - most of their missions remain secret.
Russian special forces
Soldiers of Directorate “A” of the TsSN FSB of Russia.. Photo: SpetsnazAlpha / wikimedia.org
The work of Russian special forces is shrouded in mystery. According to the authors, most Russian special forces can be compared in training to the American Rangers, but there are also elite special forces groups that are more appropriately compared to Delta Force.
The Russians have extensive experience in reconnaissance, eliminating enemy supply lines, destroying chains of command, and identifying enemy weak points. According to We Are The Mighty, one factor greatly distinguishes Russian special forces from American ones is freedom in choosing weapons.
American Navy SEALs
"Navy Seals". Photo: U.S. Navy/wikimedia.org
Anyone wishing to serve in the ranks of the Navy SEALs must swim 460 meters in ten and a half minutes, do 79 push-ups, 79 squats, 11 pull-ups and run 2.5 kilometers. And this is just to get into the special forces.
SEAL training consists of underwater explosives training, parachute school and a rigorous 26-week special training course. After this, the newly minted special forces will undergo another 18 months of various training.
Navy SEALs can conduct reconnaissance, participate in direct combat, and conduct counter-terrorism operations.
The successful implementation of any military campaign depends on the availability of information about the enemy’s forces, their weapons and numbers. Since ancient times, before the start of a large-scale offensive, detachments of spies were formed from volunteers and infiltrated into enemy territory to collect data or carry out sabotage. The development of weapons and the enrichment of military experience have improved the methods of conducting reconnaissance and sabotage work and served as an impetus for the creation of various paramilitary formations, each of which performs its own highly specialized task.
Specialized army unit
The fighting involves numerous casualties and destruction of houses and buildings. Victory in wars often comes at a very high price. Based on this and already having decent centuries-old combat experience, the army leadership realized the urgent need to create special professional groups to carry out special tasks. This is how a special unit appeared in the regular armies of different countries - army special forces.
What is it intended for and how does it work?
Army special forces from different countries, with differences in the specifics of training, weapons and camouflage, have one task assigned to them - the quick and silent elimination of the enemy.
For this purpose, the most vital organs of the enemy are affected, which eliminates any possibility of resistance and guarantees instant death.
Army special forces use camouflage techniques in their work, which have certain differences in units of different countries. It all depends on the environment, characteristic of a particular area, weather and seasonal conditions in which you have to operate. Based on this, army special forces are equipped with a special uniform adapted to the colors of the terrain and special equipment for firearms - silencers and flame arresters, allowing them to be freely used behind enemy lines, without fear of being identified by the sounds of gunfire or flashes of flame.
The detachments carry out reconnaissance work, regardless of environmental conditions and the situation in the enemy camp. The end result is considered to be the information obtained about the enemy’s weapons, his numbers, and the characteristics of the terrain on which further open combat operations will take place.
What information does the special forces obtain?
Reconnaissance carried out by detachments is considered effective if it is able to provide the army leadership with the necessary information:
- Information about the enemy.
This is information about the topographical location of those objects that are subject to capture, and an assessment of the degree of their security. The report must contain data on the quantity, quality and location of enemy fire weapons, on the possible proximity of reserve combat units, on the distance from them to captured objects, on the time and methods of approach of enemy reserves in the event of a direct combat clash.
- Location data.
The report contains information about the passability of the territory, the presence of natural obstacles (gorges, reservoirs), their nature and the possibility of overcoming them. This also includes data on populated areas, which must be taken into account in order to ensure a discreet approach to the capture objects of interest.
History of creation
In order to identify, neutralize and eliminate terrorist groups, carry out sabotage and counter-terrorist combat missions behind enemy lines, the Russian Federation uses special combat units and units of the special services, armed forces and police.
Russian special forces have their own history.
On July 29, 1974, Directorate “A” was formed in the USSR, which until 1991 belonged to the seventh directorate of the KGB. This unit is still active today. This is a special counter-terrorist unit “A” of the FSB, known to everyone as the “Alpha” special forces, recognized in the world as one of the most effective.
In 2011, the team of Detachment “A” under the FSB of Russia participated in the world championship of special forces, where they received the first two places and were recognized as the best international team.
Special forces: division “A”. Functions
Its main task is to carry out specific military security measures to search and identify terrorist organizations, neutralize and further destroy armed criminals. Alpha special forces are engaged in the release of hostages and negotiations with terrorists. The detachment is intended to seize aircraft and water vessels, ground transport and storm buildings with hostages held there. The services of Detachment “A” are often used during riots in prisons and colonies, since the unit is considered elite and is highly effective. This made it in demand when carrying out military operations in “hot spots” and in other situations that are complicated or out of control.
World analogues
Such a special unit is not the only one in the world. American special forces have shown high effectiveness in the fight against terrorism. Good material support for the groups made it possible to conduct numerous experiments, which allowed them to achieve high results. During an assault on fortified buildings, fighters from such detachments penetrate inside unexpectedly for terrorists - at points that, unlike door and window openings, are not controlled by them. This significantly reduced the mortality rate in American special forces.
Almost all developed countries have similar anti-terrorism units, which differ little from each other. They also perform the function of anti-terrorism in their state and their tactics are similar.
About combat training
Completing tasks requires enormous physical and psychological stress from each special forces soldier. This is due to the fact that the special forces detachment carries out its functional tasks primarily either behind enemy lines, or in terrain completely unsuitable for normal human life.
Staying in an extreme environment, in harsh conditions, without communication with the outside world requires each participant in the special forces to have physical and psychological health, fitness and moral readiness to withstand possible stress.
A lot of feature films, documentaries and TV series have been made about the airborne special forces, which colorfully show how effectively and efficiently the special squad works. But behind the side visible to the audience, there is another, which consists of daily and tedious briefings and training, high demands placed on the fighters by their leadership.
Special forces training is carried out under the supervision of experienced instructors. The purpose of the training is to transfer knowledge to the trainees and develop in them the practical skills necessary to perform combat missions. During the exercises, fighters are taught both standard and highly specialized skills.
What does special forces training include?
1. Standard skills:
- hand-to-hand combat;
- fire, psychological and general physical training.
2. Highly specialized knowledge and practical skills:
- silent movement behind enemy lines, which includes the ability to covertly overcome water and engineering barriers, swamps, and navigate the terrain at night;
- performing tasks for observation and collection of information in urban environments and populated areas;
- effective camouflage: the special forces uniform is selected for the soldiers depending on the conditions of the terrain in which the work is being carried out - it can be mountains, forests, desert, swampy terrain or a surface covered with snow;
- orientation on the ground both with the help of a topographic map and without it, the ability to notice and distinguish traces;
- the ability to carry out radio reconnaissance and use other means of technology for this purpose;
- survival skills in difficult conditions for the human body;
- psychological training and obtaining the knowledge necessary to provide emergency medical assistance.
Tasks and structure of the Russian Navy
The naval special forces of the Russian Federation are engaged in:
- mining ships, militarized naval bases and hydraulic structures of the enemy;
- search for and further physical destruction of enemy weapons intended for nuclear attack and points that carry out their operational control;
- detection of other enemy objects and accumulations of manpower in the coastal zone;
- providing landing operations in the coastal zone;
- directing and adjusting air and naval artillery strikes against identified enemy forces.
In peacetime, he is engaged in the fight against terrorism and exchanging experience with other special forces.
The staff of the naval special detachment includes 124 people - 56 of them are fighters, the rest are technical personnel. The fighters in the squad are divided into units and act autonomously. Each of these groups consists of 12 people. They are divided into groups of 6 people: an officer, a midshipman and four sailors.
The naval special forces of the Russian Federation are represented by three detachments, each of which performs its own task:
- The first detachment is intended to destroy enemy targets located on land. The detachment's tactics consist of a discreet underwater approach to the target enemy targets with further sabotage. The fighters act as divers and act on the spot as saboteurs of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
- The second detachment is engaged in reconnaissance work.
- The third detachment of naval special forces carries out underwater mining of ships, naval bases, manpower deployment sites and other important enemy targets. The detachment's fighters train especially intensively for the role of combat divers, since they operate primarily not on land, but under water - they conduct sabotage work and carry out attacks.
Internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
In the Russian Federation, these troops belong to and are subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Following the law “On Internal Troops”, the special forces of the Internal Troops perform the following tasks:
1. In peacetime:
- ensure public order;
- carry out protection of nationally important objects and cargo during transportation;
- release hostages;
- assist other units in the fight against crime.
2. In wartime and in an emergency situation, in accordance with a certain law “On Internal Troops,” the special forces of the Internal Troops receive additional responsibilities - providing assistance to border security forces in ensuring the territorial defense and security of the country, protecting the state’s borders.
Features of the work of special forces in urban conditions
To carry out combat missions in populated areas, Russian special forces use the following equipment:
- overcoming obstacles;
- covert inspection of the area;
- silent penetration into the building;
- fast and effective storming of buildings;
- clearing occupied buildings.
1. Overcoming obstacles in urban areas. The work is carried out after a thorough examination of the situation. Before overcoming an obstacle along the way, special forces soldiers inspect the territory for the possible presence of a hidden enemy. Before overcoming the wall, its opposite part is inspected.
2. Inspection of the urban area. Buildings are ideal for this task; observation is recommended from behind their corners. The main thing is to do this carefully, without revealing yourself with weapons or equipment.
3. When entering a building, window openings pose a particular danger; you must move under them at a fast pace and bend low. The fighter must be below the level of the window cut. It is recommended to step over window openings in semi-basements.
4. During the assault, the advance of the special forces is carried out along the walls, and also involves passing through them, using faults and cracks. Doorways are overcome by throwing under the cover of fire from a partner. The throw should be made quickly and immediately aimed under cover.
Russian special forces, like special forces of other countries, use smoke screens in addition to fire cover when crossing open terrain. In this case, dashes are made from one shelter to another if there is a small distance between them. Such advancement is carried out by a group with a mandatory interval between fighters of at least ten steps. This distance will prevent possible fire damage.
During an assault, American special forces use means that allow them to destroy walls in a captured building in places that are not controlled by armed criminals. The unexpected appearance of special forces soldiers in a hole formed in the wall has an overwhelming effect on terrorists - the effect of surprise is triggered. A moderate explosion, knocking out bricks and cinder blocks strictly along a certain contour, stuns an enemy unprepared for such an assault.
In Russian special forces, a building is stormed immediately after a grenade is thrown into a window opening. The downside to this type of capture tactic is that the enemy can quickly react and throw it back. In this case, there is a high risk of being hit by fragments of one’s own exploding shell.
5. Clearing the captured building. After the assault, the building is subject to thorough inspection. For this purpose, one fighter takes a firing position outside the doorway and covers the group. Premises that have passed the inspection are marked with a symbol. The special forces clear the area by moving along flights of stairs from top to bottom. This allows you to “push” the enemy to the lower floors, where it is easier to destroy him or push him out into the street and detain him. It is not advisable to clean from the bottom up. This will give the enemy a chance to gain a strong foothold on the upper floors or escape along the roofs of nearby buildings.
Equipment for special forces soldiers
According to the season, special forces uniforms are replaced by winter and summer uniforms. Depending on the purpose, special forces equipment is divided into three types:
- Field uniform. Used for combat missions, training and duty. It is also intended to be worn during times of war or emergency. The highest demands are placed on this type of clothing.
- Dress uniform. Designed for soldiers during their stay at ceremonial state events: performing a guard of honor, receiving awards. Also used during parades, holidays and weekends.
- Casual uniform. Applies in all other cases.
Material for workwear
The main requirements for the material from which unit uniforms are made are the ability to ensure safety, high levels of ergonomics and protection. To camouflage special forces, a special fabric with an appropriate pattern is produced. In each country, a pattern is selected for the fabric from which special equipment is sewn, for a certain characteristic type of terrain.
Russian special forces use the “surpat” color scheme, which takes into account the typical characteristics of the Russian territory.
In addition to clothing, the uniform of special forces includes weapons, means of providing protection, navigation, life support, and is accompanied by an individual first aid kit and special elements.
Edged weapons for special forces
In their activities, Russian special forces often encounter situations in which they cannot do without the use of a knife. When descending from the wall of a house or from a helicopter, you can get tangled in ropes and parachute lines; during the seizure of a vehicle, sometimes there is a need to cut jammed seat belts. In such situations, a knife is simply necessary. It is a mistake to assume that all law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation are required to use edged weapons - airborne forces, riot police or marines. Only special forces units have the right to carry and use combat knives during special operations. Mostly these are blades not exceeding 200 mm in length and 60 mm in width.
An army special forces knife in skillful hands makes it easy to inflict terrible wounds on the enemy. In the production of combat knives for special forces, very durable and high-quality steel is used.
Naval special forces often use a knife in their activities, which is also called “Reconnaissance Battalion”. To make such a knife, stainless steel is used. Blade width - 60 mm, length - 300 mm. The knife is equipped with a protective guard, which makes it easier to strike the enemy.
The second most popular type of bladed weapon among the fighters of this special unit is the “Katran” blade. It is versatile because it can be used both as a tool and as a weapon. As a tool, this knife, thanks to the transverse groove at its base, is successfully used for bending and breaking wire. The blade is equipped with a double sharpening - regular and sawtooth - on the side of the butt. Plastic is used to make the handle and sheath. The knife is secured in the sheath by snapping the guard. “Katran” is equipped with an additional retainer in the form of a rubber ring, which prevents the blade from slipping out of the sheath, which is undesirable for a fighter during a special operation.
Today the “Gyurza” knife has been officially accepted for supply to the FSB special forces. Its blade has a one-and-a-half blade on the butt side, which improves the quality of a military weapon and makes it possible to use it to perform related “peaceful” tasks - it is very convenient for them to cut ropes, cables, and use them as a saw.
The history of the use of special forces in reconnaissance and sabotage activities behind enemy lines, in the fight against terrorists and especially dangerous criminals, has proven the urgent need for the use of combat knives. Rich experience in performing special specific tasks is taken into account when selecting bladed weapons for modern army units.
The history of modern special forces in our country began relatively recently - in fact, the starting point can be considered the moment of the emergence of the Russian Federation itself. Numerous detachments assigned to the KGB and GRU were scattered into new units, and several new elite groups were formed, which immediately had to deal with the legacy of the collapsed empire. Despite the mortal danger that awaits each of the special forces fighters, many people dream of getting here, but only a few are able to pass the most severe selection.
Alpha Squad
The name “Alpha” was invented by journalists eager for catchy words, who slightly embellished the bureaucratically dry Directorate “A”. The fighters of this detachment are working on conducting counter-terrorism operations - we can say that this is the first level of protecting the country from the threat of world terrorism. The Alpha unit is rightfully considered the elite of Russian special forces and is highly rated internationally.
Squad "Vympel"
This is one of the oldest special forces in our country. The Vympel group was formed under the KGB of the USSR: with the collapse of the country, the sign was changed (now it is the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia), but the structure remained the same. Vympel fighters are considered external agents - they are used for targeted operations outside of Russia.
OSN "Vulcan"
It is enough to look at the place of permanent deployment of this special unit to roughly imagine the level of training of the fighters. OSN "Vulcan" is based in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic of the Southern Federal District - these guys took part in the first Chechen war and in subsequent counter-terrorism operations. Not only fire training is valued here: in order to get into Vulcan, the applicant will have to undergo serious engineering, technical, topographical and medical testing.
Squad "Ratnik"
Ratnik contract soldiers are tested for the right to wear a maroon beret as a monthly practice. The fight against organized criminal groups and terrorist gangs rests on their shoulders. It is the “warriors” who are trusted to ensure the security of senior officials of the Russian Federation.
PDSS
The abbreviation stands for “Underwater sabotage forces and means.” Roughly speaking, PDSS is an analogue of the American Navy SEALs, with great adjustments for the harsh Russian realities. A candidate for combat swimmers undergoes a rigorous, months-long selection process, during which physical and psychological stress reaches the limit. PDSS units are on duty at all Russian naval bases and carry out targeted missions outside the country.
In the world of military forces, nothing captures the imagination more than special forces. In addition to the conventional armed forces, most countries have an elite group of troops that meet a higher standard of requirements and training. Some of these groups have received wide publicity, others are not so well known and are shrouded in myth. A commando can silently emerge from the water to quietly neutralize guards, storm a plane to rescue hostages in a hijacked shopping mall, sabotage enemy bridges and roads, and carry out other of the most secret missions in the military world. Which countries have the best special forces in the world? This is a difficult and almost unanswerable question, since any national special forces are created for serious missions, from counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, to reconnaissance and even attack. However, past operations and reputation can be taken into account to assess which forces are in the lead.
Special forces GIGN, France
First on the list is the French Gendarmerie Intervention Group (abbreviated GIGN) from France. GIGN, like most European special forces units, traces its origins to the hostage crisis at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. In France, a year earlier, there had been a prison riot during which hostages were taken and killed. The result of these upheavals led to the creation of a force that today includes approximately 400 fighters. Specializing in hostage rescue and counter-terrorism, GIGN has repeatedly demonstrated itself in action. Past operations have included the rescue of 30 schoolchildren hostages in Djibouti, the capture of war criminals in Bosnia, the fight against Somali pirates and, of course, the dramatic attack and hostage rescue on Air France Flight 8969 in Marseille in 1994.
SSG Group, Pakistan
In 1956, the Pakistan Army created its own special forces, known as the Special Services Group (SSG). The force was modeled on the British SAS and American Special Forces, and its strength remains classified. Selection for the Special Forces is very strict, and only 1 in 4 recruits, after nine months of training, flight school, hand-to-hand combat courses and grueling physical exercises, make it into the ranks of the SSG. The SSG is trained to perform missions in all sorts of environments, including mountains, desert, jungle and even underwater combat. During the early Cold War, SSG forces trained and operated alongside American special forces. Some fighters trained in Afghanistan, fighting with the mujahideen against the Soviets in the 1980s. India claims that SSG forces have frequently attacked its soldiers in the border areas between the two countries. Later, the SSG focused on local counter-terrorism operations, taking part in many successful operations.
Sayeret Matkal, Israel
This Israeli special forces branch focuses on intelligence, anti-terrorism and hostage rescue outside of Israel. Sayeret Matkal was created in 1957 to fill a void in Israel's special forces and is composed of candidates selected for high physical and intellectual characteristics. Candidates undergo eighteen months of training, including basic infantry school, parachute school, counter-terrorism training, and reconnaissance. The force has taken part in many large-scale operations since the 1960s. The most famous of them is Operation Entebbe/Lightning Strike, which made Sayeret Matkal famous throughout the world. The operation began after several Palestinian terrorists took hostages on board an airliner. Many hostages were released, but more than 100 people (mostly Israeli and Jewish hostages) were detained in the airport terminal building. A group of approximately 100 Israeli commandos, including Sayeret Matkal special forces, attacked the position, killing the terrorists and freeing all the hostages.
EKO-Cobra, Austrian special forces
In 1972, as a result of the attack on Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics, Austria created the Cobra-Einsatzkommando for anti-terrorist operations. The unit was created from 450 men who served in the Austrian Federal Police. EKO-Cobra training is similar to other squads and includes several months of specialized courses in marksmanship, languages, hand-to-hand combat and tactical combat training. All candidates undergo psychological and physical testing. During training, Special Forces soldiers learn explosives, scuba diving and sniping. While EKO-Cobra has not had the same outstanding operations as Sayeret Matkal, they successfully freed hostages in Graz Prison in 1996, and are the only counter-terrorism team to prevent a mid-flight hijacking. In this case, in 1996, four Cobra fighters were on a flight when a hijacker called for the plane to divert. Needless to say, the hijacker chose the worst flight for such a step, and was immediately neutralized by special forces.
Delta Force, USA
The full name of this group is the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment "Delta". In addition to counter-terrorism operations, Delta can also take part in hostage rescue, attack, reconnaissance and less covert direct influence operations. The group was formed in 1977 as a result of a growing number of terrorist operations. It was created mainly from soldiers who served in the American special forces, Green Berets, or Rangers. Potential candidates must be male, 21 years of age or older, have high test scores, and be well prepared physically and mentally. A series of grueling physical and mental tests eliminate the weakest ones immediately. Based on the test results, less than 1 out of 10 applicants are admitted to intensive 6-month training courses. Delta Force operations are shrouded in secrecy, but you can be sure that they are at the forefront of any US operation.
Special Forces JTF2, Canada
Created in 1993 and expanded to several hundred troops following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Canada's JTF2 is an elite counter-terrorism and special operations force. Composed of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, JTF2 carries out a wide range of operations. They have repeatedly escorted VIPs and provided security at events such as the 2010 Winter Olympics. More secretly, they worked in many of the world's hot spots, rescuing hostages in Iraq, or tracking down Serbian snipers in Bosnia. Their presence in Afghanistan is largely classified, but it is known that some forces were still involved in individual operations. Their activities were so secret that even the Canadian Prime Minister was unaware that JTF2 was deployed to Afghanistan during the early years.
Spetsnaz Alpha, Russia
An elite Russian special forces unit, Alpha Group was founded in the mid-1970s and became famous during the invasion of Afghanistan, during which Alpha fighters stormed the Presidential Palace in Kabul, killing everyone in the building. In 1985, a team was sent to Beirut to try to rescue four Soviet diplomats. According to rumors, when the diplomats were killed, alpha fighters tracked down the relatives of the invaders and returned them to their families, almost piece by piece, to send a message to potential terrorists. Domestically, Alpha was involved in most major anti-terrorist operations, such as the siege of the Nord-Ost theater in 2002 and the Beslan school siege in 2004. Both events demonstrated the rather brutal nature of Russian special forces, as hundreds of hostages died during the operation.
Shayetet 13, Israel
Another Israeli special forces group, Shayetet 13 is affiliated with the Israeli Navy. Created in 1948, the force has taken part in all major Israeli military operations, from hostage rescue and counter-terrorism to intelligence gathering and surveillance. The training course takes 20 months and subjects candidates to the most intense psychological and physical tests before specialized training begins. Special forces soldiers learn all types of combat, parachuting, scuba diving and much more. Shayetet 13 is also responsible for seizing weapons heading to the Gaza Strip. Their most famous operation took place after the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, when special forces tracked down and eliminated those responsible for the attack on Israeli athletes.
Navy Seals, USA
The Navy SEALs are an American special forces group created in 1962. This group has achieved literally mythical status over the years of its existence. Thanks in part to Operation Neptune's Spear, a mission in which commandos went to Abbottabad in May 2011 and killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda. This is an elite level of physical and mental strength where only the best of the best are selected. Training takes a year, and most applicants cannot even pass the physical qualification test, which includes swimming, push-ups, squats and running. But if you pass these very strict standards, then go to general training. After completing the training, you move on to become a Navy SEAL, and only after that the door to specialized training opens to you. All this ensures that special forces soldiers are physically and mentally strong and capable of carrying out the most difficult operations anywhere in the world.
SAS Special Forces, UK
What kind of special forces team could be superior to the legendary Navy SEALs? This is the SAS special forces - the British Special Service, created in 1941 to work behind German and Italian troops and support the Resistance movement against the occupying forces. The physical requirements for candidates are very strict and require great endurance. The test culminates in a 40-mile march with full gear, which must be completed in 20 hours. Candidates must be able to swim two miles in one and a half hours and run four miles in 30 minutes. After that, they are thrown into the jungle to learn survival and gain navigation skills, after which they undergo survival practice. The final test is a 36-hour interrogation session in an attempt to break the candidate's will. And only after this the candidate will be admitted to further training. SAS Special Forces members undertake security courses with MI5 and MI6, training in intelligence and counter-espionage operations. British special forces are like a mixture of the Navy SEALs and James Bond rolled into one.
