Literature Review on Private Military Companies - Essay Example

Modern-day private military companies have been in existence for a relatively short period. Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the unification of Germany in 1990, the sizes of national armies started to decrease. As a result, security and military functions, previously considered fundamental state functions have been increasingly contracted out to private companies (Barstow, 2004). This fundamental change concerning the monopoly on the use of force has been a common phenomenon in Western countries and is being implemented in the context of anarchical globalization of the world’s economy. Accordingly, the private sector has taken advantage of the globalization of the world economy and the decreasing sizes of national armies to find a very profitable niche. In recent years, the sector has benefitted immensely from global insecurity and fears that followed terrorist attacks of the early 2000s in the US (Bianco & Anderson, 2003).

The existence of private military companies and their experienced military and security personnel that can be hired at any time has made it possible for governments and intergovernmental organizations to circumvent certain political and legal constraints on the use of force. Generally, PMCs render services in zones of low-intensity armed conflicts and post-conflict situations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. These companies also provide security services to multinational corporations and extractive industries operating in unstable situations. As a result of the apparent privatization of warfare, the world has witnessed increased demand for private security for the protection of properties (Avant, 2000).

The scope of services offered within the private military companies industry is expansive. Generally, the services offered vary from one company to another depending on the levels and degrees of their specialization. Nevertheless, the most common services offered by PMCs include:

Combat Support: In many instances, PMCs have been involved in providing forces for combat operations and associated services for combat support. For instance, during the US military involvements in Afghanistan and Iraq, contracted personnel operated drones and the newest precision weapons. This personnel was also helpful in transmitting vital information during these conflicts (Bauer, 2004).

Consulting: This service involves a wide range of things from advice on restructuring and reforming of armed forces to assisting defense ministries to establish policies and procedures for defense planning. PMCs can also be consulted for advice on procurement of weapons and recruitment of personnel to national armies. For instance, United States-based PMC, MPRI has played a decisive role in conducting military-civilian assistance in Nigeria, Cambodia, and Equatorial Guinea. It is currently involved in developing strategic policies for the Columbian government in its counternarcotics programs. Before joining NATO, the Hungarian government hired several PMCs to help restructure its military and police services (Berlau, 2004).

Training of Military Personnel: Training is one of the PMC activities that are often linked directly to combat missions. Several PMCs such as Executive Outcome and MPRI have been involved in realigning military officers in several countries. Currently, United States’ Vinnell is providing military training to the Saudi National Guard as well as the newly formed Iraq army. The United States Air Force and Navy have hired ATAC to fly adversary aircraft during their military training exercises. Britain’s Royal Navy has contracted Flagship Training Limited to provide facility management services and specialist instructions during shore-based training (Barstow, 2004).

Logistics Support: the majority of PMCs are involved in logistic support. For instance, Australian security forces operating in East Timor (as part of the UN peacekeeping mission) relied heavily on logistic support sourced from PMCs. Currently; PMCs provide much of the logistics required for various US military deployments (Beyani & Lilly, 2006).

Arms and facility maintenance: arms manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and many other specialized companies provide weapons and systems maintenance services to national armies. During the US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, PMCs personnel maintained and operated sophisticated weapons systems like the F-117 stealth fighter, the B-2 stealth bombers, Apache helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The United States and Great Britain rely on PMCs to maintain 30%of their weapons systems.

Intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance, and monitoring: these services are performed by several PMCs specialized in satellite and aerial reconnaissance, photo interpretation, and information and psychological warfare. For instance, the United States Diligence LLC provides competitive intelligence analysis and commercial information to US military operations in the Middle East.