1st Edition

War as Business Technological Change and Military Service Contracting

By Armin Krishnan Copyright 2008

    The privatization of defence assets and the outsourcing of military services from the armed forces to the private sector is an increasing trend. This book approaches the issue of military privatization by linking it to the transformation of the defence industries since the early 1990s, and shows the extent to which many military functions and activities, ranging from military research to military consulting/training to operational support services, have already been outsourced in the US and in Europe. This detailed study provides new and updated information on the ongoing privatization of the defence sector and offers an original theoretical explanation as to why the most modern armed forces throughout the world have come increasingly to rely on private companies for nearly everything they do. Contributing to a better understanding of military privatization and its close connection to technological change, the book explains the complexity of the whole phenomenon and discusses its implications for national and international security.

    Introduction; Chapter 1 Technology and Privatization; Chapter 2 A New Military Industry; Chapter 3 Research and IT-Related Services; Chapter 4 Modelling, Simulation, and Wargaming; Chapter 5 Operational Support Services; Chapter 6 Implications; Chapter 7 Military Globalization; Chapter 8 Conclusion;

    Biography

    Armin Krishnan is at the University of Texas at El Paso, USA

    ’...provides a timely and perceptive guide to the rapidly growing global market in defence services and the outsourcing of defence research and military support activities...of interest not only to those interested in contemporary defence analysis but also to historians of the organizational context of war and warfare.’ Keith Hayward, Royal Aeronautical Society, UK ’...a pioneering and important study of the new business of war. Not only does it tackle fundamental issues that lie behind terms such as the privatization and outsourcing of defence but, through a wealth of new sources and material, this fascinating study uncovers the remarkable extent of the private business of war and the technological change that has driven it...required reading not only for students and scholars of war, but most of all for policy-makers in the field.’ John Keiger, University of Salford, UK 'While much attention is currently directed towards armed contractors, War as Business shines a light on a relatively unexplored area of defense privatization involving technology, research, and service contracting , and in so doing effectively reveals an evolving public-private relationship that is just as unique, complex, and controversial. This book expands our knowledge as to who provides for national defense and at what costs, both financial and normative.' Christopher Spearin, Canadian Forces College, Canada 'The book is very well researched and well laid out. The complexity of the phenomenon of privatization and its implications for national and international security have been discussed in a logical manner...the book is very interesting and informative. An excellent guide for those contemplating increased use of contractors for outsourcing of military services.' USI Journal '...contributes to security studies by offering an analysis of the privatization of services linked to security and defence. The work contributes equally to the fields of political economy and st