List of reconnaissance units

The following is a list of notable military reconnaissance units from around the world.

Australian Army

Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Navy

Clearance Diving Branch

Brazil

Brazilian Army

Amazon Military Command (CMA)
- 3rd Special Forces Company
- 4th Army Aviation Battalion
- 12th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
Eastern Military Command (CML)
- 2nd Guard Cavalry Regiment
- 4th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
- 11th Mountain Infantry Battalion
- Paratroopers Brigade
  - Pathfinders Company
Northern Military Command (CMN)
- 22nd Jungle Cavalry Squadron
- 23rd Jungle Cavalry Squadron
- 24th Light Infantry Battalion
Northeastern Military Command (CMNE)
- 10th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
- 16th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment
- 19th Hunters Battalion
- 28th Hunters Battalion
- 23rd Hunters Battalion
- 25th Hunters Battalion
Planalto Military Command (CMP)
- 1st Guard Cavalry Regiment
- 3rd Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
- Special Operations Command (C Op Esp)
  - 1st Commando Actions Battalion (1º BAC)
    - Snipers and Reconnaissance Detachment (1st BAC-DRC)
  - 1st Special Forces Battalion (1º B F Esp)
Southern Military Command (CMS)
- 3rd Guard Cavalry Regiment
- 5th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
- 6th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
- 8th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
- 16th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron
Southeastern Military Command (CMSE)
- 1st Army Aviation Battalion
- 2nd Army Aviation Battalion
- 1st Light Cavalry Squadron
- 13th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment
Western Military Command (CMO)
- 3rd Army Aviation Battalion
- 10th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment
- 11th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment
- 17th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment
- 20th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Brazilian Navy

Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN)
- 1st Riverine Operations Battalion
  - Special Operation Platoon (Pelopesp)
- COMANF
  - 1st Special Operations Company
- Marines Infantry Reconnaissace and Surveillance Platoons (Pelotões de Reconhecimento e Vigilância da Infantaria de fuzileiros navais)
GRUMEC

Brazilian Air Force

1º/6º GAv
1º/10º GAv
1º/12º GAv
1º/14º GAv
2º/6º GAv
2º/7º GAv
3º/10º GAv
7º/8º GAv
Para-SAR

Cambodia

911th Special Forces Regiment

Canada

Pathfinders
(1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment) Infantry Recce Platoon
(2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment) Infantry Recce Platoon
(3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment) Airborne Infantry Recce Platoon
(3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment) Pathfinder / Sniper Platoon
(Canadian Special Operations Regiment) CSOR
(Canadian Rangers) Long Range Arctic Patrol
The Royal Canadian Dragoons (Armoured Reconnaissance)
(12^e Régiment blindé du Canada) Recce Squadron
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Recce Squadron
(3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment) (Peloton Fantassin de Reconnaissance)
1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Recce Platoon
2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Infantry Recce Platoon
3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Recce Platoon
Kings Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) Armoured Recce - Primary reserve Unit
Queen's York Rangers (RCAC) Armoured Recce - Primary Reserve Unit
South Alberta Light Horse (SALH) Armoured Recce - Primary Reserve Unit

Denmark

Guard Hussar Regiment
- 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 1st Light Reconnaissance Squadron
  - 2nd Light Reconnaissance Squadron
  - 3rd Light Reconnaissance Squadron (inactive until 2023)
Danish Home Guard
- Home Guard Command
  - Special Support and Reconnaissance

Finland

Finnish Army
- Armoured Brigade
  - Armoured Jäger Company
- Guard Jaeger Regiment
  - Recon Company
- Jaeger Brigade
  - Jaeger Recon Platoon
- Kainuu Brigade
  - Kainuu Jaeger Recon Platoon
- Karelia Brigade
  - Mechanized Jaeger Recon Platoon
- Pori Brigade
  - Ostrobothnia Jäger Battalion
- Sissi
- Utti Jaeger Regiment
  - Paratrooper Company
Finnish Navy
- Nyland Brigade (NylBr)
  - Finnish Coastal Jaegers
Finnish Air Force (FiAF)
- No. 11 Squadron
- No. 31 Squadron

France

French Army
- 1st Armored Division (1re DB)
  - 9th Marine Infantry Brigade (9e BIMa)
  - 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (27e BIM)
    - 4th Regiment of Mounted Chasseurs
- 2nd Armoured Brigade (2e BB)
  - 12th Cuirassier Regiment (12e RC)
    - Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron (Escadron d'éclairage et d'investigation de la 2e Brigade blindée (EEI))
- 3rd Armored Division (3e DB)
  - 2nd Dragoon Regiment (2e RD)
  - 6th Light Armoured Brigade (6e BLB)
    - 1st Spahi Regiment
    - 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI)
      - Reconnaissance and Support Company (CEA)
    - 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (21e RIMa)
      - Reconnaissance and Support Company (CEA)
  - 11th Parachute Brigade (11e BP)
    - 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (1er RHP)
      - 3rd Squadron (3e Escadron)
    - 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er R.C.P)
      - Reconnaissance and Support Company (CEA)
    - 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP)
      - Elite Snipers Platoon (STE)
    - 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment 3e RPIMa
      - Reconnaissance and Support Company (CEA)
    - 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa)
      - Reconnaissance and Support Company (CEA)
- French Army Special Forces Command (COM FST)
  - 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1er RPIMa)
    - 1e Compagnie
    - 4e Compagnie
  - 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment (13e RDP)
    - Long Range Communications Squadron
- French Army Light Aviation (ALAT)
  - 4th Airmobile Brigade (4e BAM)
    - 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment (1er RHC)
      - Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter Squadrons
    - 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment (3e RHC)
      - Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter Squadrons
- French Foreign Legion (FFL)
  - 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI)
    - Command and Support Company (CCS)
French Navy
- Commandos Marine
  - Commando de Montfort
  - Commando de Penfentenyo
French Air and Space Force
- 33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack Wing
- Air and Space Force Special Forces Brigade (BFSA)
  - Air Parachute Commando No. 10 (CPA 10)
  - Air Parachute Commando No. 30 (CPA 30)
    - Tactical Air Control Party (GCAT)
- Air Forces Command (CFA)
  - Fighter Brigade
National Gendarmerie
- Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA)
- Maritime Gendarmerie

Georgia

Georgian Land Forces
- Reconnaissance Battalion
Georgian Special Operations Forces (GSOF)

Germany

German Army (Heer)
- 1st Panzer Division
  - 9th Panzerlehr Brigade
    - 3rd Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion
  - 21st Panzer Brigade
    - 7th Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 41st Panzergrenadier Brigade
    - 6th Reconnaissance Battalion
- 10th Panzer Division
  - 12th Panzer Brigade
    - 8th Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 37th Panzergrenadier Brigade
    - 13h Reconnaissance Battalion
- Heeresaufklärungstruppe
- Rapid Forces Division
  - 23rd Mountain Brigade
    - 230th Mountain Reconnaissance Battalion
  - Deep Reconnaissance Company 200 (FSLK200)
  - EGB Forces
  - Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK)
    - Parachutes/Air Handling Platoon
    - Special Reconnaissance Company
  - Long Range Reconnaissance Company
German Navy (Deutsche Marine)
- Aufklärungskompanie
- Kampfschwimmer (KSM)
German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
- Kampfretter
- Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 (formerly designated as Aufklärungsgeschwader 51)

Greece

Hellenic Army
- 1st Armored Cavalry Battalion
- 1st Army Aviation Brigade "Kilkis-Lachanas"
- 1st Raider–Paratrooper Brigade "El Alamein"
- 32nd Marines Brigade
  - 32nd Medium Tank Squadron
Hellenic Navy
- MYK
Hellenic Air Force
- 31st Search and Rescue Operations Squadron (31st SAROS)

Ireland

Army Ranger Wing (ARW)
Cavalry Corps (CAV)
Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS)

Italy

Carabinieri
- 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania"
- 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment
- Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia"
- Carabinieri Mobile Units Division
- Carabinieri Specialist Units Division
  - Carabinieri Airmobile Groupment
- Gruppo di intervento speciale (GIS)
Italian Army (EI)
Italian Navy (MM)
- COMSUBIN
- Italian Naval Aviation (AN)
  - 4th Helicopter Group
- San Marco Marine Brigade
  - 1st San Marco Regiment
    - Paratroopers Swimmers Company
    - Special Operations Company
Italian Air Force (AM)
- 9th Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance - Electronic Warfare (ISTAR-EW) Air Brigade
- 17th Raiders Wing
- 154th All-weather Fighter-Bomber/All-weather Reconnaissance Fighter Squadron

India

Paramilitary forces

Indonesia

3rd Group Sandi Yudha, Army Special Forces Command (Kopassus)
2nd Special Operations Detachment, Navy Special Forces (Kopaska)
Amphibious Reconnassiance Battalion (Taifib), Indonesian Marine Corps
Cavalry Reconnaissance Company (Kikavtai), Cavalry Corps, Indonesian Army
Combat Reconnaissance Platoon, Kostrad, Indonesian Army
Pathfinder Platoon (Pleton Pandu Udara), Airborne Brigade, Indonesian Army
Paskhas, Indonesian Air Force

Israel

Ground Forces
- Infantry Corps (Battalions)
  - Brigade Reconnaissance Battalions & Companies
    - 93rd Reconnaissance Battalion – Kfir Brigade
    - 631st Reconnaissance Battalion – Golani Brigade
    - 846th Reconnaissance Battalion – Givati Brigade
    - 934th Reconnaissance Battalion – Nahal Brigade
    - 5135th Reconnaissance Battalion – Paratroopers Brigade
    - Reserve Brigades Reconnaissance Battalions
  - Oz Brigade (Commandos)
    - Maglan Unit
    - Egoz Unit
    - Duvdevan Unit
  - Multidimensional Unit
- Armoured Corps (Companies)
  - Palsar 7 – the 7th Armored Brigade reconnaissance unit.
  - Palsar 401 – the 401st Brigade reconnaissance unit.
  - Palsar 188 – the 188th Armored Brigade reconnaissance unit. (Reserve)
  - Reserve Brigades Reconnaissance Companies
- Combat Engineer Corps
  - Battalion Recon/Scout Platoons
  - Unit Yahalom (Generally referred to as a commando unit)
    - Sayeret Yael
- Combat Intelligence Collection Corps
  - Infantry Forces "YAHMAM"
- Artillery Corps
  - Unit Sky Rider
Sayeret Matkal
Air Force
- 7th Wing
  - Shaldag
Navy
- Shayetet 13
Military Intelligence Directorate
- Special Operations Command
  - Sayeret Matkal
- Collective Units
  - Unit 8200
    - Field SIGINT Collection Unit

Japan

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)
- Ground Component Command (GCC)
  - Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB)
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - Central Army
    - 3rd Division
      - 3rd Reconnaissance Combat Battalion
    - 10th Division
      - 10th Reconnaissance Combat Battalion
    - 13th Brigade
      - 13th Reconnaissance Combat Battalion
    - 14th Brigade
      - 14th Reconnaissance Company
    - Central Army Aviation Group
      - Central Army Helicopter Battalion
  - Eastern Army
    - 1st Division
      - 1st Reconnaissance Combat Battalion
    - 12th Brigade
      - 12th Reconnaissance Company
    - Eastern Army Aviation Group
      - Eastern Army Helicopter Battalion
  - Northern Army
    - 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade
      - 101st Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Battery
    - 2nd Division
      - 2nd Reconnaissance Company
    - 5th Brigade
      - 5th Reconnaissance Company
    - 7th Division
      - 7th Reconnaissance Company
    - 11th Brigade
      - 11th Reconnaissance Company
    - Northern Army Aviation Group
      - Northern Army Helicopter Battalion
  - North Eastern Army
    - 6th Division
      - 6th Reconnaissance Company
    - 9th Division
      - 9th Reconnaissance Combat Battalion
    - North Eastern Army Aviation Group
      - North Eastern Army Helicopter Battalion
  - Western Army
    - 4th Division
      - 4th Reconnaissance Combat Battalion
    - 8th Division
      - 8th Reconnaissance Company
    - 15th Brigade
      - 15th Reconnaissance Company
    - Western Army Aviation Group
      - Western Army Helicopter Battalion
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
- Fleet Air Force
  - Fleet Air Wing 31
    - Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81
- Special Boarding Unit (SBU)

Laos

426th Special Forces Company

Myanmar

Myanmar Army
- Armoured Reconnaissance Battalions
- Light Infantry Reconnaissance Company
- Pathfinders Company
- Special Forces Brigades
Myanmar Navy
- Myanmar Navy SEALs

Netherlands

11 BVE, 42 BVE, 43 BVE (brigade reconnaissance squadrons)
104 JVE (Ground-Based Long-Range Recce Squadrons), Joint ISTAR Command (JISTARC)
Pathfinders (Airmobile)
Korps Commandotroepen
C-Squadron, Maritime Special Operations Forces, includes Mountain Leader Reconnaissance Platoon and Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon
15 RSTA Squadron, 25 RSTA Squadron of the Marine Combat Groups, RNLMC.
Reconnaissance Platoons of RNLA Infantry Battalions.

New Zealand

Waikato Mounted Rifles
NZSAS
Reconnaissance Platoon, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

North Korea

Korean People's Army (KPA)
- I Corps
  - Reconnaissance Battalion
- XI Corps
  - 17th Reconnaissance Brigade
- Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (KPASOF)
Korean People's Navy (KPANF)
- Naval Commandos

Philippines

32nd Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Squadron
71st Maritime Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron (71st MUARS)
Armor "Pambato" Division
Aviation "Hiraya" Regiment
Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC)
Marine Scout Snipers (MSS)
Force Reconnaissance Group (FRG)
Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM)
Scout Rangers

Portugal

3rd Cavalry Regiment (RC3)
- 1st Reconnaissance Platoon (1PelRec)
- 2nd Reconnaissance Platoon (2PelRec)
5th Artillery Regiment (RA5)
- Information, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance Surveillance Systems Company
6th Cavalry Regiment (RC6)
- Recognition Group (GRec)
Air-Land Pathfinders Company (Precs)
Commando Regiment
Core of Tactical Operations of Protection (NOTP)
CTOE
DAE
GOE
Mechanized Brigade Command
- Reconnaissance Squadron (ERec)
Navy's Helicopter Squadron

Russia

Federal Security Service "FSB"
- Alpha Group Directorate "A" of the FSB Special Purpose Center (TsSN FSB), is an elite, stand-alone sub-unit of Russia's special forces.
- Vympel Group Directorate "B" Vympel Group is an elite Russian spetsnaz unit under the command of the FSB. (TsSN FSB)
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
- Spetsnaz GRU: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 14th, 16th, 24th, 25th Spetsnaz Brigade (obrSpN)
- 45th Detached Reconnaissance Regiment Specnaz VDV (orpSpN)
- Russian commando frogmen: 42nd, 420th, 431th, 561th Naval Reconnaissance Spetsnaz Point (omrpSpN)
- Voennaa Razvedka (Razvedchiki Scouts) "Military intelligence" personnel/units within larger formations in ground troops, airborne troops and marines. Intelligence battalion in the division, reconnaissance company in the brigade, a reconnaissance platoon in the regiment. The level of training is the same as Spetsnaz GRU but not controlled by the GRU. Mascot: bat.^[1]

Serbia

72nd Brigade for Special Operations
126th Air Surveillance, Early Warning and Guidance Brigade (VOJIN)
353rd Reconnaissance Squadron
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (Niš)

South Africa

South Korea

Republic of Korea Army (ROKA)
- Army Aviation Command (AAC)
  - 1st Combat Aviation Brigade
    - 111th Aviation Battalion
    - 502nd Aviation Battalion
- Army Capital Defense Command (ACDC)
  - 35th Special Mission Battalion
  - 52nd Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 56th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
- Army Mobilization Force Command (AMFC)
  - 60th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 66th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 72nd Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 73rd Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 75th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
- Ground Operations Command (GOC)
  - 36th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 55th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - Capital Corps
    - 700th Commando Regiment
  - I Corps
    - 1st Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 2nd Armored Brigade
      - Armored Reconnaissance Company
    - 9th Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 25th Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 30th Armored Brigade
      - Armored Reconnaissance Company
    - 701st Commando Regiment
  - II Corps
    - 7th Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 15th Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 702nd Commando Regiment
  - III Corps
    - 1st Mountain Brigade
      - Reconnaissance Company
    - 12th Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 20th Armored Brigade
      - Armored Reconnaissance Company
    - 21st Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 22nd Infantry Division
      - Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 102nd Armored Brigade
      - Armored Reconnaissance Company
    - 703rd Commando Regiment
  - VII Maneuver Corps
    - 1st Air Assault Battalion
      - 1st Air Assault Reconnaissance Platoon
    - 2nd Air Assault Battalion
      - 2nd Air Assault Reconnaissance Platoon
    - 8th Maneuver Division
      - Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
    - 11th Maneuver Division
      - Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
    - Capital Mechanized Infantry Division
      - Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
- Army 2nd Operations Command
  - 31st Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 32nd Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 35th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 37th Infantry Division
    - Reconnaissance Battalion
Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN)
- Naval Air Command
- Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC)
  - 1st Marine Division
    - 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 2nd Marine Division
    - 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
  - 6th Marine Brigade
    - 6th Reconnaissance Company
  - Special Reconnaissance Battalion (SRB)
- Republic of Korea Navy Special Warfare Flotilla (WARFLOT)
  - Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG)
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)
- Air Mobility & Reconnaissance Command (AMRC)
  - 39th Reconnaissance Wing
- Combat Control Team (CCT)
- Special Air Force Rescue Team (SAFRT)

Sweden

Life Regiment Hussars, 32nd Intelligence Battalion (ISTAR)
Norrland Dragoon Regiment (I 19), Army Ranger Battalion
1st Marine Regiment (Amf 1), 202nd Coastal Ranger Company
Swedish Air Force, Swedish Air Force Rangers
Swedish Home Guard, Home Guard reconnaissance companies

Thailand

Royal Thai Army (RTA)
- 3rd Reconnaissance Cavalry Company (3rd RCC)
- 4th Reconnaissance Cavalry Company (4th RCC)
- 5th Reconnaissance Cavalry Company (5th RCC)
- 6th Reconnaissance Cavalry Company (6th RCC)
- 30th Cavalry Squadron, 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard
  - Reconnaissance Patrol Company (RPC)
- Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols Company (LRRP)
Royal Thai Navy (RTN)
- Royal Thai Navy SEALs
- RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion (RECON)
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
- 402 Elint Reconnaissance Squadron (402 ERS)
- Special Operations Regiment (SOR)

Turkey

General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSKGB)
- ÖKK
Turkish Land Forces (TKK)
- Armored Brigade
- Army Aviation Regiment
- Commando Brigades
- Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command (KTBKK)
  - 49th Special Force Regiment (49th SFR)
- Hakkari Mountain and Commando Brigade
Turkish Naval Forces (TDK)
- SAS
- SAT
Turkish Air Force (THK)
- Personel Kurtarma

United Kingdom

British Army

Royal Navy

Brigade Reconnaissance Force, Royal Marines
Reconnaissance Troop (40 Commando, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marine Corps, His Majesty's Naval Service)
Reconnaissance Troop (42 Commando, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marine Corps, His Majesty's Naval Service)
Reconnaissance Troop (45 Commando, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marine Corps, His Majesty's Naval Service)
Mountain Leader Training Cadre
Special Boat Service

Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Navy

Brazilian Army

Brazilian Navy

Brazilian Air Force

Indian Army

Indian Navy

Indian Air Force

Paramilitary forces

British Army

Royal Navy

Royal Air Force

United States Army

United States Marine Corps

United States Air Force

United States Navy

Vietnam People's Army

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