The United States Marine Corps is a well known and respected combat force, but the United States is not the only country to employ troops of this type. A number of foreign nations also maintain amphibious units designed for combat in littoral environments. These units, like the U.S. Marines, often serve as the punching arm of their respective nations’ navies and are intended to engage in combat far from their home shores. In many cases, they are more selective and train more rigorously than their purely land based counterparts. They stand apart from conventional ground forces and are often among the most elite units in operation. Here is a list of ten of these hardcore foreign naval infantry units.
1. People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps
(Photo: Lance Cpl J.J. Harper)
These troops are responsible for conducting amphibious landing and assault operations, an increasing area of interest for the Chinese. According to The Diplomat, there are currently four PLAMC brigades, each comprised of one armored regiment and two marine battalions. The same source also states that although it currently only stands at 20,000, the People’s Liberation Army of China plans to increase its size to 100,000 as well as station troops from these units abroad [1]. The PLA Marine Corps makes up .86 percent of of China’s military, which stands at 2.33 million as of March 2016 [2].
2. The Corps of Royal Marines
(Photographer: POA(Phot) Sean Clee)
Famous for the longest basic infantry training in the world, the Royal Marines have been around since 1664. They played a major role in numerous operations since then, including the D-Day invasions and the Falklands conflict. The Royal Marines stand at about 3,500 and are all highly trained. [3] Indeed, the basic training for officers lasts 15 months, while that for enlisted marines lasts 32 weeks.[4] They wear a green beret that is distinct from the headgear of other British units to mark their elite status.
3. The Russian Naval Infantry
(Photo: Embassy of Russia Twitter Account)
Russian Marines are highly proficient service members with a versatile skill set. They are capable of not only amphibious movements, but also airborne operations. Moreover, the Russian terrain has prepared them well for an arctic environment, while their strong focus on airborne tactics heightens their ability to maneuver as well.[5] Overall, these “Black Berets” that make up an elite section of the naval forces provide the Russian military with an agile and hard hitting force wherever and whenever they are needed. Additionally, they are unmatched in their public demonstration skills.
4. Troupes de Marine
(Photo: Armée de Terre)
This French naval infantry unit boasts a diverse range of capabilities. It is technically a part of the Army, but nonetheless provides the French with not only the ability to conduct amphibious landings and assaults, but also armored, artillery, and airborne operations. They first formed officially in 1970, and since then have maintained their competence as a naval infantry unit.
5. Corpo De Fuzileiros
(Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Felicito Rustique)
The Portuguese have a rich naval tradition, and it is appropriate that they have a robust Marine Corps to go along with it. The origins of the Portuguese marines, or Corpo De Fuzileiros date back to 1585, and since then they have provided the Portuguese Navy with a skilled amphibious fighting force. The Corpo’s capabilities include amphibious landings, and the protection of Portuguese naval bases, as well as other, more specialized operations.[6] They are considered a special forces unit, and work closely with their allied nations to enhance their war fighting capabilities.[7]
6. Coastal Jaegers
(Photo: Finnish Defense Forces)
The Coastal Jaegers make up an elite unit of the Finnish military. Compared to regular Finnish infantry units, they develop “a broader range of skills in the use of firearms and first aid” [8]. Like the Corps of Royal Marines, Jaegers wear a green beret, which they earn after a 12 month long training period in the Scandinavian cold. This prepares them for the diverse set of operations in which they might be involved. The Jaegers are a part of the Nyland brigade, the only organization in the Finnish Navy that conducts its training in Swedish, rather than Finnish. [9]
7. 84th Givati Brigade
(Photo: IDF)
When it comes to military uniforms, it is hard to top a purple beret. The 84th Givati Brigade not only takes the award for most fashionable headgear, but it also provides the Israeli military with a valuable amphibious assault capability. This unit was the first to use the MTAR-21 Tavor Assault Rifle, and now primarily engages in operations in the Gaza Strip region. The trademark beret color was chosen by the daughter of the Brigade’s first commander.[10]
8. Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade
(Photo: USNI News)
One of the youngest naval infantry forces today, the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade serves to defend Japanese shores from invasion. Given Japan’s post WWII resolution to no longer wage war, the very existence of the ARDB is controversial. This is because the main purpose of any amphibious force has traditionally been power projection. Regardless, the ARDB stands at 2,100, and greatly augments Japan’s defense capability. The unit was developed with close cooperation from the United States, and thus bears close resemblance to a U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit.[11]
9. Mexican Fuerza de Infanteria de Marina
(Photo: Sgt. Devan Gowans)
This force of 2,200 works primarily with the defense of Mexican naval bases, but amphibious warfare remains an important secondary capability. The marines partake in a wide variety of other operations as well, including raids on drug cartels when needed. They cooperate closely with the surface navy for artillery support and receive air support from Mexico’s naval aviators.[12] The marines also get extensive training in close quarters and urban combat tactics, which are particular areas of interest given the domestic threats they face.[13]
10. San Marco Marine Brigade
(Photo: Milistero Della Difesa)
This unit of the Italian navy boasts a versatile skill set. Commanded by an admiral, the three regiments of the San Marco Brigade are responsible for amphibious landings, antipiracy operations, and protection of naval bases, respectively. The Brigade also includes a command support battalion, an amphibious special forces element, and a brigade headquarters. It is considered an elite unit of the Italian military, and is equipped to handle enemy armor, board hostile vessels, and engage in disaster relief operations as well.[14]
Citations:
- https://thediplomat.com/2017/03/china-is-building-a-100000-strong-marine-corps/
- http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-us-military-comparison-2016-8#overview-of-chinas-military-forces-18
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/apr/16/military.markoliver
- https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/role-finder
- http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12141186@egNews
- https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2013/04/portuguese-marines/
- https://discovermilitary.com/special-forces/portuguese-marine-corps/
- http://www.finlandnato.org/public/default.aspx?contentid=311898&nodeid=39170&contentlan=2&culture=en-US
- http://merivoimat.fi/en/nyland-brigade
- https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/givati-brigade/
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-defence-marines/japan-activates-first-marines-since-ww2-to-bolster-defenses-against-china-idUSKCN1HE069
- https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/marines-americas
- http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a602521.pdf
- http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/specialforces/sanmarco/Pagine/sanmarcotoday.aspx
