Special operations forces (SOF) operate in the most challenging environments, and require weapons that will provide a tactical advantage while functioning under extreme conditions.
Special operations forces mostly use the same categories of weapons as conventional forces. However, their special mission requirements require the adjustment and customisation of weapons adopted for the SOF arsenal. Reasons include the need to operate in austere conditions, without direct or indirect support or resupply, for prolonged periods. SOF, must deploy with everything they might need on the mission; conversely, their need for mobility limits how much can be carried. SOF equipment must be as lightweight and compact as possible, and simultaneously be capable of the highest performance in each weapon category. The mission spectrum, ranging from deep reconnaissance to hostage rescue, to direct action strikes, all require a broad array of weapons. Sometimes SOF pioneer the introduction of new weapons which are subsequently adopted by conventional branches of the armed forces.
Small arms
When considering small arms, SOF look for attributes such as compact size, easy field maintenance, robustness, high performance and reliability. The ability to function after immersion in salt water is especially critical for SOF operating at sea. While special mission forces around the globe utilise a wide variety of firearms, a few manufacturers have found special favour. This includes Heckler & Koch (HK), which supplies small arms to many SOF commands.
Assault rifles
The HK416 was developed specifically to meet the close-quarters combat (CQC) requirements of the US Army’s Delta Force, with which it entered service in 2005. Subsequently, the assault rifle was adopted by other US special operations units, replacing the widely used M4A1 carbine, and SOF in 20 other nations have also adopted the HK416. Several attributes make the weapon particularly appealing. While based on the Colt M4, it incorporates the short-stroke gas piston system originally developed to cycle rounds on Heckler & Koch’s G36 assault rifle. That system reduces fouling in the chamber, and has proven considerably more reliable than the M4’s closed rotating bolt system.
Various customisation options can adapt the weapon to specific mission requirements. These include a modification kit to optimise the weapon for wet environments, including covert approach through water, with drainage holes in the bolt carrier and buffer system facilitating the drying of the weapon after submersion. Additionally, several variants have been developed to maximise flexibility and further improve performance and robustness. The HK416 A5 is available in four different barrel lengths, from the full-sized 508 mm suitable for long-range firefights, to the sub-compact 279 mm barrel optimised for CQC.
In October 2017, the German Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK; ENG: Special Forces Command) chose the HK416 A7 variant as its new assault rifle; the weapon was also selected for the German Naval SOF Command. The German commandos noted numerous improvements over the G36 assault rifle. The 37 cm barrel makes the weapon somewhat shorter than the standard G36 and slightly longer than the compact G36K; the new weapon is equally suited for CQC and for engagements out to 300 m, and displays a high level of accuracy even after prolonged firefights. The fire selector sets at 45° for semi-automatic fire and at 90° for full auto mode, facilitating quick selection under fire. KSK firearms instructors especially praise the location of the backup sight, which is not at the 12 o’clock position but to the side of the barrel at a 45° angle. This solution prevents the backup sight being blocked by a damaged or obstructed main optical sight; it is immediately available without needing to remove the damaged primary sight first.
Submachine guns
Close-quarters combat scenarios such as house-clearing or hostage rescue are optimally conducted with submachine guns (SMG), rather than compact assault rifles. In addition to being even more wieldy, SMGs are usually chambered for pistol calibre ammunition (9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) rather than 5.56 × 45 mm NATO rounds. While these munitions have high stopping power, they are less likely to penetrate walls or otherwise risk injuring bystanders or hostages. Some SMGs have specialised small-calibre ammunition which permits greater magazine capacity without sacrificing performance.
Here again, HK’s SMGs are among the most frequently used by SOF. After decades of use, the MP5 and MP7 remain in service with many units across the globe. The 9 × 19 mm MP5 was introduced in 1966. It combined compact form, ease of handling, high stopping power and configuration for a sound suppressor, making it ideal for covert operations and anti-terrorism missions. Numerous variants followed, optimising the weapon for niche applications. These variants range from the 79 cm long MP5SD5 to the ultra-compact MP5K (with a total length of 32.5 cm) suitable for concealed carry under coats or jackets. The MP5SD series features an integrated sound suppressor which is significantly more effective than removable suppressors, maximising operational stealth.
The MP7 was introduced in the late-1990s. The 1.9 kg weapon is between 41 and 68 cm long and can be carried in a leg holster. The compact weapon has very little recoil even when fired in fully automatic mode. The 4.6 × 30 mm calibre ammunition has the approximate stopping power (but not the range) of 5.56 × 45 mm rounds, and is capable of penetrating CRISAT (NATO standard) body armour at 200 m. It is in use with US Navy SEALS, Delta Force, and numerous police special mission units globally.
Handguns
While the military normally considers handguns as backup weapons, those carried by SOF must also meet the highest reliability and performance standards. For certain close-range covert missions where stealth is at a premium, pistols can even be the weapon of choice given their potential for concealed carry in public and (when suppressed) lower acoustic signature. The Glock 19 has emerged as one of the more popular pistols for SOF globally, with most US SOF units adopting the weapon within the past 10 years. It fires the proven 9 × 19 mm round and accommodates various double-stack magazines with a 15 to 33 round capacity. With a total length of 17.4 cm and an unloaded weight of 600 g, the smaller brother of the ’standard-sized’ Glock 17 is well suited for concealed carry. The polymer construction withstands saltwater better than metal-framed competitors; it also functions and cycles well under water. Possible attachments include a variety of optics including red dot and green dot sights, an under-barrel light, and a sound suppressor.
In addition to (often modified) variants of standard handguns, SOF sometimes require highly specialised – even ’exotic’ – weapon solutions. The electrically-fired P11 underwater pistol is a case in point. Developed by HK in the 1970s for the German Kampfschwimmer naval commandos, it is still in use there as well as with the SEALs and various other NATO special operations units. The 20 cm long weapon has five barrels, each of which is loaded with one projectile. Pulling the trigger closes a circuit, activating an electric pulse which initiates firing of a projectile; two 12 volt batteries in the handle provide the electrical energy for initiation of the propellant. Underwater, the weapon fires the DM101 sub-calibre 100 mm length dart, achieving a 15 m effective range. Above water, the weapon fires DM91 7.62 × 36 mm pistol ammunition with an effective range of around 30 m. The barrel is sealed by the projectile sabot during firing. Underwater this prevents formation of bubbles which would give away the shooter’s position, and acts as a de facto sound suppressor above and below water. The five barrels are mounted as a single detachable barrel ‘cluster’ which can be quickly exchanged after firing.
Sniper rifles
Sniper rifles remain integral to the special operations mission. Given their unique operational requirements, SOF units will frequently favour different rifles than those used by scouts and sharpshooters of regular military branches.
In 2009, the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) tendered the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) programme with the aim of replacing all bolt-action sniper rifles used within the US SOF community with a single model. SOCOM ultimately selected the Remington Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR) in 2013, but was forced to re-compete the contract. The new award went to the Barrett Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) in 2019. In service with SOCOM since 2021, the MRAD is designated the MK22 Advanced Sniper Rifle. “Modular” reflects the fact that the rifle comes with three interchangeable barrels enabling the weapon to fire either 7.62 × 51 mm NATO, .300 Norma Magnum (7.62 × 63 mm) and .338 Norma Magnum (8.6 × 63 mm) rounds fed from a 10-round box magazine. A lever located behind the pistol grip facilitates removal of the barrel, bolt and magazine for easy switching of calibres in the field. The mission defines which barrel and calibre are chosen, with .300 favoured for long-range anti-personnel and .338 for anti-materiel/armour plating effects. The lower cost 7.62 mm munition is chosen for shorter-range engagements and for target practice. Depending on the installed barrel, the MRAD weighs between 6.3 and 6.9 kg (without the optional Barrett AML 338 suppressor) and measures 108 to 125.5 cm. The effective range is given as 1,500 m for the Magnum rounds and 1,000 m for the 7.62 × 51. A choice of Nightforce Precision Variable Power Scopes rated at 5-25 × 56 mm or 7-35 × 56 mm is available.
At the extreme end of the sniper rifle line-up are anti-materiel rifles firing large-calibre bullets at high velocity, capable of defeating lightly-armoured targets and high-value military equipment. Their long range and destructive power enable SOF to destroy such targets as stationary aircraft, missile launchers, radar and communications nodes or fuel stores behind enemy lines, producing asymmetric effects with a minimal amount of ordnance.
Ukrainian commandos have been using the Snipex T-Rex and Snipex Alligator to good effect against Russian forces. Both rifles were developed by the firm XADO-Holding Inc headquartered in Kyiv and are chambered for 14.5 × 114 mm rounds. Both have a muzzle velocity of 980 m/s and an effective range of 2,000 m, and can penetrate 10 mm of steel plate at 1,500 m. The T-Rex, introduced in 2017, is a single-shot manually operated bolt action weapon. The rifle weighs 25 kg and is 1.8 m long. The Alligator, introduced in 2020, is a bolt-action manually operated firearm with a 5-round box magazine; an optional suppressor can be attached in the field. The weapon weighs 25 kg and has an overall length of 2 m including the 1.2 m-long barrel. A topside handle permits balanced carriage in the field. The barrel and muzzle device can be detached, permitting the entire weapon to be transported in an approximately 120 cm length rectangular case.
Crew-served weapons
Heavier weapons provide mobile forces with high firepower for fast-paced assaults or to cover a withdrawal. As in other categories, SOF’s emphasis on mobility and autonomy dictate acquiring weapons which are lighter but equally (or more) effective than those used by standard formations. In this vein, the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) operates the Mk47 Striker automatic grenade weapon rather than the twice as heavy Mk19 used by conventional formations. The belt-fed Mk47 was developed by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, and was produced by General Dynamics from 2006 until the rights to the weapon were acquired by the Colt CZ Group in January 2024. The Mk47 can fire standard high velocity 40 mm grenades, as well as the programmable Mk285 smart munition produced by Nammo.
The Mk285 can be set for airburst detonation over a precise location, targeting foes fighting from behind cover. The Mk47’s Raytheon Lightweight Video Sight fire control system (FCS) incorporates a laser rangefinder which measures the precise distance to the enemy’s position; the integrated ballistic computer can programme the chambered Mk285 grenade to detonate over the target precisely upon travelling the measured distance. In addition to combatants in defilade, the grenade can also destroy soft targets such as unarmoured vehicles, radar and communications nodes, or fuel storage sites with high accuracy. The maximum effective range is 1,700 m, which is 200 m more than the Mk19. In addition to US Army and Navy SOF, the weapon is also utilised by Australian and Israeli SOF operators.
Frequently lacking access to artillery or air support, SOF need their own indirect fire capability. As always, weight is a major consideration. In 2019, Rheinmetall introduced the RSG60 configurable mortar suitable for regular infantry and for special operations units. The standard configuration weighs 15.8 kg and has a 3,200 m range. It can be stripped down to the ‘Commando configuration’ within 30 seconds by removing the base plate, reducing the weight to only 6.8 kg, and reducing the base footprint from 480 mm to 210 mm. Removing the baseplate precludes the use of more powerful charges, limiting effective range to 2,000 m.
Occasionally, SOF need to apply heavier firepower. However, heavy mortars are frequently mounted on armoured vehicles which cannot accommodate SOF requirements for a low footprint and speedy movement. Elbit Systems’ Sling 120 mm mortar is designed to fill this void. The weapon has a significantly reduced recoil compared to many mortars in the same class, allowing it to be fielded on small 4×4 vehicles. The mortar is lowered to the ground for firing, but remains attached to the vehicle for quick re-stowing. The Sling is ready to fire within 60 seconds and has a 7 km range; it achieves a fire cadence of up to 16 rounds for the first minute, or a sustained rate of four rounds per minute. It can be operated by two to four soldiers. The system was tested by US Army Special Forces in 2022.
New horizons
SOF are looking ahead for new technologies that could act as force multipliers. Loitering munitions promise to provide ground-based SOF personnel with a vehicle-launched or rucksack-portable ‘miniature air force’ deployable from the field. According to SOCOM personnel, loitering capability – ranging from reconnaissance to electronic warfare (EW) to kinetic strikes – is being prioritised for the ‘counter violent extremist operations’ portfolio. Systems being investigated include crew-served or vehicle-mounted weapons, single-operator tube-launched capabilities, and VTOL systems. Capabilities being sought include good range and automated target recognition.
The ongoing War in Ukraine, above all else, has demonstrated the power and versatility of such weapons, which SOF around the globe will be acquiring in the near future. Loitering munitions will significantly expand the striking power and range of small, mobile formations, which will enable them to hold enemy forces and high-value targets at risk of attack from multiple unexpected directions, even far behind enemy lines.
Sidney E. Dean