Kommando Spezialkräfte

KSK Coat of arms svg — Coat of Arms of the KSK

The Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) Is a special operations unit of the German Army based on units like the SAS and the Delta Force, the KSK participated in operations in the Balkans and the Middle East.

Origin[]

TdH 2006 KSK Scharfschuetzen — Soldiers of KSK

Created between 1994 and 1995, Approximately 20 soldiers were trained in the fall of 1996 and the unit was fully operational in April 1997. According to reports, the impact of seeing 11 German citizens were saved by foreign forces (Belgian paratroopers and French) in Rwanda in 1994 because there was no German unit capable of performing such an operation was the main factor for creating the KSK. To complete his effective were taken command of a Company of each of the third Airborne Brigade, along with the reinforcement of two companies Long Range Reconnaissance (the 3blard was disbanded). The unit plans to be fully operational when achieve 1000 fully trained operators.

Equipment[]

Weaponry[]

Name	Type	Origin	Notes
HK P8	Semi-automatic pistol	Germany
HK USP Tactical	semi-automatic pistol	Germany

HK MP5	submachine gun	Germany	In various versions including the HK MP5K and the MP5SD.
HK MP7	Personal defense weapon	Germany
HK UMP	submachine gun	Germany
HK G3	assault rifles	Germany
HK G36	assault rifles	Germany	In different versions including the G36C. May be fitted with the AG36 grenade launcher.
HK 416	assault rifles	Germany	May be fitted with the AG36 grenade launcher.
Accuracy International AWM G22	Sniper rifle	United Kingdom
Accuracy International AWM G24	Sniper rifle	United Kingdom
HK PSG-1	Sniper rifle	Germany
HK MG4	Squad automatic weapon	Germany
HK-21	General purpose machine gun	Germany
Rheinmetall MG-3	General purpose machine gun	Germany
Remington 870	Shotgun	United States
FIM-92 Stinger	Air-defense system	United States
Panzerfaust 3	Rocket-propelled grenade	Germany
MILAN	Anti-tank guided missile	Germany France
HK GMG	automatic grenade launcher	Germany

Vehicles[]

Mercedes-Benz G-Class utility vehicles
AGF (Light infantry vehicle)
Yamaha ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) KODIAC 4x4
Enduro Type KTM 640 LC 4 (Motorcycle)
Hägglunds Bandvagn 206
Snowmobile LYNX GLX 5900 FC/E Army
Klepper canoes

Special equipment[]

Round parachute and HALO/HAHO equipment

Gallery[]

Tasks[]

The KSK is responsible for operations behind enemy lines, long-range reconnaissance, strategic attack, counter-terrorist operations, hostage rescue or evacuation of German citizens in areas at risk abroad in cooperation with allied nations and especially with the NATO. The unit is also prepared to carry out C-SAR. The KSK is shaped according to the SAS. Despite its ability to rescue the hostages KSK is a military unit, with military missions, and not another GSG-9. The KSK may be moved to where the GSG-9 could not (at least officially), however it has happened (the recovery of a plane Lufthansa at the Airport Mogadishu, Somalia in October 1977, for example). Yet the KSK has a hostage rescue team ready to assist the German police whenever necessary. The KSK is also used to project or protect the interests of international Germany. Their missions are very similar to those performed by foreign units as the related SAS, Delta Force or U.S. Special Forces.

Operations[]

KSK missions are still covered under much secrecy, but believe tha

KSK Humvee closeup — KSK driving a Humvee on Afghanistan

t has already been used in:

Bosnia - The KSK was using along with other special units (SAS, SEALs, etc.) on the hunt for war criminals Serbs.
Kosovo - Since its inception in 1996 the KLA - Army of Liberation Kosovo, Had been receiving support from the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), the German intelligence service, together with the CIA. The operations were aimed at weakening Slobodan Milosevic, And force him to give autonomy to the province of the majority Albanian. When the conflict between Yugoslavia and the NATO was imminent, commands of the KSK has trained the KLA guerrillas in northern Albania. By the open conflict in 1999, the KSK was used in many covert operations both in Kosovo, As the very Yugoslavia.
Afghanistan - Probably the KSK participated in the 2001 military operation to liberate eight missionaries from a German aid agency threatened with death and detained by the Taliban on charges of "spreading Christianity" in Afghanistan. This operation was successfully performed before the beginning of American attacks that country. With the invasion of Afghanistan the KSK was moved secretly to the Afghanistan to participate in the hunting operations Al-Qaeda and what remained of the Taliban.