GHQ Models Forums

Im working diligently on my panzergrenadiers and Im thinking of my next project, definatley modern maybe North Korea? Then I had an idea, an awful grinchy idea..... wait wrong story. Its all bean done. So whats left? So Im doing some research into PMC's (private military corporations) to try and get a handle on the concept. My first thoughts were multi-national vehicle possibilities and oh the scenarios that could be imagined around a nice band of mercs! I need to do my research on PMCs but I imagine a sort of "Urban Security Force" equipped with lots of french, dutch, german and british armoured cars and IFVs as well as the many hummer variations and new mraps. Modern US infantry with blue jeans and tee's painted under thier webgear. Landrovers and toyotas in civilian colors w/ indentifying placards or chevrons slapped on. A convoy and vip transport company for urban security details (platoons loaded in cougars, hummers and toyotas provide security for a vip making a PR trip through Bahgdad) Make use of all those engineer and combat construction vehicles by making a scenario where your PMC is hired for security at a new construction site (win by retaining X number of engineer vehicles) The PMC's helicopter transport platoon may have to shuttle journalist to an area of recent insurgent activity and is shot down in the process, your PMC's reactionary force must then work with US and or coalition in a joint rescue effort.
The ideas just keep swarming in to my head. Like I said I need to research PMC's which should prove difficult (PMC's are very tight lipped about thier means and method) and I might find it wont work but Im hooked on this idea for now. PLEASE let me know your thoughts and ideas on this and again..... has anyone tried this before?

PMCs generally field the equipment for the mission. You can generally see a PMC's loadout fall into one of two categories: covert, and overt. Overt PMCs will operate in armored, military vehicles with tactical firepower and some support. You rarely see this nowadays in places like Iraq and the 'stan, but you could find your Blackwater types decked out from about 04-07 and maybe 08. Even still, they were dealing with small insurgent forces, and never any heavy armor, so they preferred light and fast humvees, early MRAPs, and yes, even technicals.

Your covert security is basically geared toward remaining low key. Guarding VIPs during trips to hostile countries. This is your suit and tie PMC. Their vehicle of choice is the armored SUV, and you'll see a lot more handguns and PDWs than long rifles.)

That's what I've gleamed from past and present deployments of PMCs. I did not include info on PMCs in advising/observing roles, since I don't think you'd be interested in gaming that sort of scenario. Rarely will you see a PMC fielding anything heavier than a .50 cal or a minigun. If they need to, they're really in over their heads and need to call in the real military.

That being said, if you are aiming for a speculative scenario (more for fun than historical context) you are welcome to outfit the PMC with whatever you think they'd need for the mission.

Just a random fun thought, try seeing yourself in the position of the PMC's CEO. Make it YOUR company, and YOUR troops. Outfit them with the weapons and equipment you want to see. Give them your own uniform color scheme and logo on the vehicles (or randomized if that is your preference). Oh and don't forget the black helicopters. MD-500s anyone?

It's my understanding that most Western governments have laws or policies that frown on selling armed military vehicles to private individuals or corporations. The former Eastern block, on the other hand seems to have embraced that aspect of capitalism with both arms. A few years ago MiG-19's or T-55's were going for $15,000. Delivery was probably extra.
If you are planning a "Dogs of War" type scenario, some wheeled APC's or armored cars would be a great force multiplier for the contractors.
Groundlber

What about Executive Outcomes down in S. Africa. More along the lines of private army he's talking about than Blackwater. (edit: At least I think so based on rudimentary internet search and would welcome any corrections)

Paul

There's always the fictional "MNU".

If you are going for an element of realism:

An ex-colleague of mine is running one of the larger PSC operations out in Afghan currently. It is all about the top line of your P&L. Keep costs down and you make profit.

Only DoD (et al) contractors seem to have access to any ordnance to speak of or higher end kit, everyone else has to scratch around with Pakistani made barettas and glocks and AKs (Russian or east European if you are lucky, Chinese or Pakistani if you aren't). The ammunition too is generally poor. Regardless of what a company can get its hands on, it is still all about keeping costs down.

Further, the Afghan govt won't issue enough weapons permits or visas and strangles foreign competition to prevent them from effectively competing with contractors that are owned and run by karzai's relatives.

Vehicle wise, it tends to be armoured sedans or SUVs for ground transport with unarmoured covert cars to scout ahead and clear the route.

Flying is kept to a minimum as its expensive but when essential, it is generally done with sub contracted Mi8s.

Currently PSC operations tend to be under financed, under staffed, and those staff they do have are under equipped and under trained.

.... obviously if you are running some sort of fictional Afriqistan type situation, as we do, all bets are off, the sky is the limit and you can do what you like.