Neither USA nor China: this is the country with the best SWAT in 2025

When people think of the world’s most elite special forces, major powers like the United States, Russia, and China typically come to mind. However, some lesser-known countries have developed highly effective tactical units that rival or even surpass these global heavyweights.

That was the case at this year’s SWAT Challenge, an annual international competition held in the United Arab Emirates since 2019. This high-stakes event brings together elite law enforcement and military teams from across the world to test their rapid-response capabilities in demanding tactical scenarios. The 2025 edition took place from February 3 to February 7, drawing an impressive 73 teams from different nations.

Hosting the event was the Dubai Police, renowned globally for their cutting-edge law enforcement strategies and specialized tactical expertise. Not only did they serve as hosts, but they also emerged as the undisputed champions, securing first place with an impressive 325 points, dominating the tactical challenge and assault course categories.

Dubai’s Special Forces: A rising global power

Dubai’s police force includes a variety of elite tactical units, each evaluated based on their effectiveness in handling high-risk security operations. The success of these teams has placed Dubai among the world’s top nations for special forces in 2025.

Here’s how the top 10 elite units ranked in this year’s competition:

Beyond being a high-intensity competition, events like the SWAT Challenge provide valuable insight into the state of global security forces. They highlight not only tactical skills but also the stark differences in resources, technology, and funding that shape performance on the field.

Wealthier teams often benefit from advanced equipment, cutting-edge weaponry, and extensive training, giving them a clear advantage. Meanwhile, units with fewer resources must overcome not just the competition’s physical challenges, but also systemic disadvantages.

This growing technological and financial gap raises critical questions about global security preparedness. Reducing these disparities—particularly in terms of equipment, training, and access to modern technology—would help ensure a more level playing field in international tactical competitions and, more importantly, real-world security operations.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.