An American journalist examined what the best special units are outside the US • From the Philippines to Australia, from the UK to New Zealand • And what about Israel? The answers inside
Illustration picture // Photo: IDF Spokesman
The debate over what is the best special unit in the world is well known, and there is probably no one right answer.
Delta Force or the American Sea Lions, the Russian Saptnaz or perhaps even the Israeli General Staff Reconnaissance Squadron.
Stavros Atlamzoglou, a veteran military journalist, published a review on the "business insider" website of the best special units in the world outside the United States.
He said the review is based on combat experience and strategic benefit.
It should be noted that, as in any list, some may disagree with the journalist's position and this is only his opinion.
At the top of the list is, as expected, the British SAS and its sister SBS.
It is without a doubt one of the best units in the world, established in 1940 and specializes in the war on terror, the rescue of hostages, special patrols and classified activities.
The unit's fighters have operated in Oman, Yemen, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, among others.
Elite warriors are skilled in diving and underwater operations and a series of particularly difficult navigation exercises.
In addition, they are talented in fighting in the jungle and in an urban environment, alongside survival and escape workshops.
In second place is the Australian SASR unit in the eyes of the journalist.
It is the best unit in the subcontinent, operating in Vietnam, Borneo, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and various countries in Africa, among others.
She specializes in the war on terror and special patrols.
Its formation includes 21 days of particularly difficult physical and psychological exams.
Among other things, candidates are assigned tasks that are designed to be unattainable, in order to test their ability to deal with failure in the world at the end of human endurance - carrying heavy loads, almost without food and without sleep.
And from Australia to New Zealand.
The NZSAS is a unit that specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue missions.
They are considered experts in various surveillance techniques and in the war on terror.
The admission test for the unit includes ten limited and few days of food and sleep, during which the candidates are pushed to the limit of their abilities.
The Hubert Commando is the naval commando unit of France, and is considered the equivalent of the British SBS.
The unit specializes in hostage rescue and the war on terror with an emphasis on underwater combat, including special underwater operations.
The unit has previously operated in Algeria, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
Last year, two members of the unit fell during a daring hostage rescue operation in Burkina Faso.
A jump to Asia leads to the fifth unit - the Philippine LRR, which is considered quiet but extremely deadly.
The unit is the youngest on the list, and was established in 2000, after a series of terrorist attacks and kidnappings that shook the country.
The unit specializes in terrorism and hostage rescue.
Among other things, they were published thanks to a heroic act in which members of the unit dressed as guests at the wedding, including some who impersonated women, and eliminated a particularly important target.
And what about Israel, you ask?
Well, she did not make it into the Big Five, but at the bottom of the article the journalist adds the General Staff patrol under the heading "Distinguished Mention", alongside the South African Special Forces Brigade "Recces". The legendary operation in Entebbe. "