The exact number of personnel in the British Special Air Service (SAS) is a closely guarded state secret, and the UK Ministry of Defence rarely comments on special forces matters. Publicly available estimates suggest a total active strength of around 400 to 600 operators across its regular and reserve units.
22 SAS normally has a strength of 400 to 600. The regiment has four operational squadrons: A, B, D and G. Each squadron consists of approximately 65 members commanded by a major, divided into four troops (each troop being commanded by a captain) and a small headquarters section. Troops usually consist of 16 members.
Organisation. The strength of the SASR is over 700 personnel. Based at Campbell Barracks, it is a battalion-sized element and is known to be made up of a regimental headquarters, three sabre squadrons, an operational support squadron, a specialist support squadron, and a signals squadron.
Pay & benefits
On successful completion of Selection, the starting daily rate for an SAS Trooper is £134.89, plus all the usual Army Reserve service incentives, which includes an annual tax-free bounty, paid leave and pension.
Paddy Mayne's reputation in the SAS: how his legend was born
Paddy Mayne went on to lead a series of successful desert raids in Africa, helping to build the SAS's reputation as an ever-present threat to the enemy's tail, while becoming an inspiration to the tough ex-commandos serving under him.
Neither SAS nor SBS is definitively "more elite"; they are equally elite but specialized, with the SAS focusing on land/air and the SBS on maritime/amphibious roles, both part of the UK's UK Special Forces (UKSF) and sharing the same rigorous Joint Special Forces Selection process, with SBS adding extra maritime training like swimmer-canoeist skills. Think of them as the Army's and Navy's top-tier counterparts within the same elite special forces framework.
The first on the list would the be US Navy Seals. Although one would argue that the British SAS ranks higher than the SEALS, but it is widely accepted that the US Navy SEALS are the best when it comes to SF. Born in 1962, the Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land Teams) are America's elite maritime special operations force.
There are about 500 active SAS soldiers. Special Air Service insignia. The SAS is a secret organisation. Its members often do not tell anyone except close family that they are in it.
Command / HQ Element
An Australian SAS soldier (Special Forces Operator) earns a competitive salary, with new recruits receiving paid training and, upon completion, earning a base salary starting around $103,000+ per year, plus significant benefits like housing assistance, excellent superannuation (16.4%), and free healthcare, with earnings increasing with rank, experience, and allowances.
Women in combat roles
Women became able to apply for special forces roles on 1 January 2014 following validation of physical employment standards. Women have been directly recruited into all frontline combat positions since 1 January 2016.
The United States is consistently ranked as having the #1 most powerful military in the world for 2025 by organizations like Global Firepower and Business Insider. This ranking stems from its massive defense budget, advanced technology, global power projection, and dominance in air, sea, and cyber warfare, though China has the largest number of active personnel.
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), Australian special forces unit that exists within Australia's Special Operations Command. The unit was formed in July 1957 as the 1st Special Air Service Company, Royal Australian Infantry, and it was modeled on the British Special Air Service.
Lieutenant-Colonel 'Paddy' Mayne is a legendary figure in the history of the Special Forces. A celebrated sportsman with a turbulent character, he played a vital role in the early successes of the Special Air Service (SAS), becoming one of its most important commanders.
Battalion. A battalion is a regimental sub-unit of infantry amounting to between 500 and 1,000 soldiers. It normally consists of a headquarters and three or more companies.
SAS training is far harder. SEALs are absolutely some of the best Special Operations troops in the world. That said, the real comparison is SAS / SBS and Delta / DEVGRU — SEAL Team 6. SEAL enlisted and officers can go to BUDs after their initial training.
SAS soldiers' pay ranges from less than £25,000 a year to around £80,000, depending on their skills and rank. This compares with a basic £13,000 for privates in other regiments.
SAS Salary FAQs
The highest-paying role, Senior Business Manager, typically earns between ₹45.6 Lakhs to ₹63.3 Lakhs per year. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹37 Lakhs per year, and the top 1% earn over ₹72 Lakhs per year.
'WOMEN CAN NOW SERVE IN ALL ROLES IN THE ARMED FORCES INCLUDING THE SAS'
In 1959, at the age of eighteen, Wiseman became the youngest person ever to pass selection for the SAS, joining from the Parachute Regiment, which he had joined a year earlier.
Officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, Delta Force is America's most elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit. Their missions are top secret—and always successful.
10 of the Best Special Forces in the World
Bisht rejoined the Special Forces in 2018 and retired in 2019 before venturing into Bollywood later that year. Lucky Bisht has been described as an influential figure, whose remarks were followed by Prime Minister of Nepal K. P. Sharma Oli convening an emergency cabinet meeting on 16 December 2024.