Special Duties Unit

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The Special Duties Unit (SDU), nicknamed the Flying Tigers, is the Hong Kong Police Force’s main police tactical unit. It is tasked with counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, underwater search and recovery, and handling serious gun-crime incidents. The SDU is the primary tactical unit of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and works alongside the Airport Security Unit and the Counter Terrorism Response Unit.

Where it sits in the force
- Part of the HKPF, under the Counter Terrorism and Major Incidents Bureau, within the A Department Operations Wing.
- Headquarters are in Fanling, at Wu Tip Shan Road.
- Motto: “Strength, Discipline, Unity.”
- Common name: Flying Tigers.

History and origins
- The SDU began in 1974, taking over from the Marksman Unit, which had formed after hijackings in the early 1970s.
- In 1978–1982, British SAS/SBS advisers helped upgrade training, equipment, and tactics, including a water assault capability.
- The unit has grown to include a support group, an administration group, and an action group (with assault and sniper teams).
- A 11-day, high-intensity Hell Week selection process is required to join, with about a 25% pass rate. After selection, recruits complete roughly nine months of training.
- Women officers are eligible to apply, but as of now there have been no female SDU officers.
- Between 1974 and 2014, about 383 officers served in the SDU.

What the SDU does
- Counter-terrorism operations
- Hostage rescue
- Underwater search and recovery
- Tackling firearms-related serious crime
- Regular exchanges and cooperation with counter-terrorist teams worldwide, as noted by officials

How the SDU is organized
- Structure: support group, administration group, and the action group (core unit), with separate assault and sniper teams.
- The unit uses a mix of capabilities to operate in land, water, and urban environments.

Equipment and vehicles
- Ground transport: Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000 armored personnel vehicle; Jankel Guardian Tactical Intervention Vehicle on a Ford F-450; Mercedes-Benz Vario van; MAN LE14.224 truck.
- Watercraft: FB Design RIB (55 feet / ~17 meters) for high-speed interceptor work and Zodiac inflatables for maritime operations.
- Aviation support: Eurocopter (now Airbus) Super Puma and EC155 helicopters, provided by the Government Flying Service.
- Uniforms and gear: officers wear Crye Precision G3 camouflage uniforms appropriate to the environment; sometimes plain clothes for rapid-response missions.
- Armor and protection: OPS-Core FAST ballistic helmets with night-vision attachments; respirators (MSA Advantage 1000 CBA-RCA); rebreathers for underwater work.
- Insignia: SDU officers typically do not display the word “Police” on their uniforms.

Notes on weapons and other equipment
- The SDU primarily uses firearms sourced from the United States and Europe; its latest gear emphasizes modern, versatile systems suitable for dynamic counter-terrorism and hostage scenarios. (A complete list of weapons and specific models is not included here.)

In summary, the SDU is Hong Kong’s elite police unit for high-risk operations, with a long history of evolving training and equipment, a rigorous selection process, and a capability to operate across land, sea, and air environments.