Private security companies in armed conflicts

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Conflicts project

Homqvist, Caroline, Private Security Companies: The Case for Regulation, SIPRI Policy Paper 9 (SIPRI: Stockholm, January 2005)

The outsourcing of military services – developments range from support services (e.g. logistics, communications, technical support) and consultancy services (e.g. operational support, training, intelligence) to the provision of frontline combat capacities - has proliferated in the last decade. This change has raised a host of questions regarding the commodification of security as a public good and the role of the nation-state in its traditional role as provider of security for its citizens. In 2004-2005, SIPRI Armed Conflicts and Conflict Management project has undertaken a study of the global rise of the private military and security industry, with particular attention to the issues of legitimacy and accountability. The project was led by Caroline Holmqvist.

Possible responses to the increased use of private companies to carry out military and security services have been explored. Particular attention was paid to the regulatory measures that may be taken on the national, regional and international levels, also in collaboration with external bodies. The study was published as SIPRI Policy Paper no. 9 and can be downloaded from this page.

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