Country of origin: Israel

Unit motto: "Who dares wins"

They may have the same motto as the SAS but these super soldiers are no cheap copy of the British elite. Specialising in counter-terrorism, deep reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, they are Israel's elite.

Entering the public eye in July 1976, they raided a hijacked French Airbus and rescued over 100 passengers from two Palestine and two German terrorists with minimal loss of life.