This book presents an illustrated guide not just to the guns of the world's special forces, but also an introduction to their development. Considerable thought has been given in the last few years as to how existing weapons can be adapted to the hightly specialised situations required of them today. Particular attention has been given to sniping equipment and a wide range of technology is now in use, not only with military special forces, but also with police and SWAT units where the demands of service are rarely as vigorous as armed combat. John Walter reveals the development of highly sophisticated sight and observation tools, employing lasers and range-finders which allow an operative to pinpoint a target up to 500 metres away even at night. He also charts the parallel advances of body armour and grenades; just as the use of kevlar and composites has improved personal safety, so the advent of smoke, stun and controlled fragmentation grenades has improved the ability of the individual soldier to take the offensive in counter-terrorist operations.