ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the impact of contractors on the provision of military logistics and security services to UK expeditionary operations. It discusses key issues that policymakers must confront before launching such operations if they are to have any chance of succeeding. The chapter explains the growth, role and consequences of outsourcing logistics and security for expeditionary operations. It concerns contractors who deliver technical and service support, and armed security services. The chapter examines the development of British private security companies (PSCs) during the Cold War. It aims to continue outsourcing these functions, which is the result of political, economic, technological and operational factors. The drive for very technically sophisticated weapons systems has left the military more-or-less totally dependent on system support service contractors to maintain them. The system support service contractors maintain weapons and information technology (IT)-based systems.
