Naval Special Forces Command, also called the Kampfschwimmer (KSM; English: Combat Swimmers, lit.

The Kampfschwimmer were set up when West Germany joined NATO in 1955 making it the oldest German SOF.

The Kampfschwimmer were set up particularly because Germany joined NATO and there was felt to be risk of war with the Soviet Union.

It consisted of men without a Nazi past, who had served in World War II in the small combat forces and the naval employment commands.

The Kampfschwimmer should carry out their tasks both in the water and ashore, like German commando frogmen did in World War II.

During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, KSM reportedly deployed to Cyprus alongside the Army's KSK and the Federal Police's GSG 9 for possible evacuations or hostage rescues.

The commandos had to train ordinary crewmembers as auxiliaries in tasks such as keeping watch and taking control of the engine room and bridge of the boarded vessels.

In 2001 the Waffentauchergruppe ("Armed Diver Group") became the Bataillon Spezialisierter Kräfte ("Specialised Forces Battalion").

The training includes but is not limited to swimming, diving, navigation, close combat, weapons handling, and parachuting.

In the special conclusion exercise their ability and hardness are equally demanded, before they join the circle of the commando frogmen.