Top 9 Private Military Companies in the world

Eric Sof

AEGIS security

The Top 9 Private Military Companies list is based on the strength, numbers, contracts, and information about the various guns for hire ready to step in and ‘fill the gap’ for private interests.

The number of armed conflicts worldwide is increasing each year. Each conflict is different, but they all have a common thing, that all warlords or army commanders, in addition to the regular army, want to strengthen their ranks with soldiers who know how to fight, and that is also well paid.

The new phenomenon that appeared with the wars in the late 20th and early 21st century are private military companies and private contractors. They are precisely those rings that stand between a political or military leader and his destiny. The private contractor organizations have more than 625,000 employees.

Wagner Group

Wagner Group, a notorious Russian private military company, is formed by former Spetsnaz operators. After their engagement in the Ukrainian conflict, they gained publicity where they supported pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. Since then, they have operated in dozen countries, including Syria, Libya, Venezuela, Mozambique, and CAD.

Wagner private military contractors in Syria
Wagner private military contractors in Syria (Photo: XY)

There are reports about Wagner’s elite sniper groups operating in Syria, hunting down ISIS militants. In 2014, the Wagner Group was estimated up to 100 operators, while in 2017, they had around 6,000 operators. They had become a significant fighting force for hire, with close ties to the Russian government.

Academy

Academy, formerly known as Blackwater, owns and operates one of the world’s most advanced private and military training units. Academi likely reduced its members after several illegal shootings and other controversies that have angered the Iraqi government and threatened the important contracts.

Academy tactical training
Academy, a successor of notorious Blackwater (Photo: Academy)

Out of Middle East, Academy was engaged to guard the streets of New Orleans after the Katrina hurricane and to protect the missile defense system in Japan.

Define Internacional

Define Internacional employs thousands of fighters from developing countries. In some cases, these agents are paid only $ 1,000 per month, which caused international anger – especially for jobs related to some governments.

defion internacional
Private military contractors belonging to the Defion International company (Photo: XY)

The company is based in Lima, Peru. It is a Private Military Company that recruits and trains personnel, logistics personnel, administrative personnel, and professional services personnel to provide worldwide services. Define International has offices in Dubai, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Iraq.

Their main contracts have been with Triple Canopy, Inc. and the U.S. Department of State involving the war in Iraq. They employ static guard forces, logistical and administrative professionals, and English professors for their American contracts.

Aegis Defense Services

Aegis Defense Services has about 5,000 troops working with the UN, the US, and the oil companies. This private “military contractor “is probably best known for recordings that appeared in 2005 and showed its members shooting at Iraqi civilians.

Aegis is stationed in Scotland and is a leading security and risk management company with project experience in over 60 countries. We have a worldwide client base, including governments, international agencies, and the international corporate sector. We are a major security provider to the United States government and intelligence and security advisor to the maritime insurer Lloyd’s of London’s Joint War Committee (JWC).

AEGIS security
Aegis Defense Services convoy rolling out through desert (Photo: XY)

They offer comprehensive advice on every aspect of security, from corporate operations, commercial risk, and foreign investment to counter-terrorism, close protection, and government support. Aegis runs a global network of offices, contacts, and associates. Furthermore, our clients benefit from the extensive capabilities of our personnel, built up through careers in the military, diplomatic and intelligence services, and the police, journalism, the UN, finance, and commerce.

Triple Canopy

Another of eight mercenary companies that will replace the official US forces in Iraq is Triple Canopy, which has an army of about 1,800 soldiers – mainly from Uganda and Peru – and contracts worth up to $ 1.5 billion. This company also has contracts in other parts of the world: Haiti, where they guard the US embassy, and Israel, where agents provide personal protective services to the US State Department.

Triple Canopy Inc. in Iraq
Members of Triple Canopy Inc. brandishing their guns (Photo: XY)

Triple Canopy is a provider of mission support and integrated security services worldwide. Triple Canopy is a Constellis company. Constellis is a leading provider of complex risk management and operational support services worldwide. Constellis combines the legacy capabilities and experience of ACADEMI, Triple Canopy, Olive Group, Edinburgh International, Strategic Social, and all of its affiliates.

DynCorp

DynCorp, headquartered in Virginia, is one of eight private military companies that the State Department chose to remain in Iraq when US forces withdrew. Members of DynCorp fought against Colombian rebels and drug dealers in Peru. It is a large group with more than 10,000 employees, with about $ 3.4 billion annual revenue. DynCorp is also active throughout Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Top 9 Private Military Companies - Dyncorp
Dyncorp operators at an undisclosed location (Photo: XY)

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, they were one of the most employed organizations right after the infamous Blackwater.

Erinys

In third place is Erinys, a company responsible for protecting the majority of Iraq’s vital oil assets, and recently won two contracts in the Republic of Congo to keep and maintain order in the largest iron ore mines and oil and gas projects.

Erinys PMC members in Iraq
A company responsible for protecting the majority of Iraq’s vital oil assets recently won two contracts in the Republic of Congo. (Photo: XY)

Erinys is often designated as a risk management company delivering innovative security services that combine an appropriate mix of both technology and manned solutions. They are specialized in the provision of mobile and static security, risk consulting, safety & security training, risk mitigation, and remote site support in harsh, hostile, remote environments where operating risks represent a material threat to the achievement of their client’s objectives.

Unity Resources Group

The second place, with more than 1,200 employees worldwide, is located organization Unity Resources, which is Australian owned, and increased its presence in Iraq when an Australian army retreated. This private military company is best known for guarding the Australian embassy in Belgrade. Out of Iraq, this company helped and guarded polling stations during parliamentary elections in Lebanon and provided the evacuation of private oil companies during the crisis in Bahrain. The company operates throughout Africa, Central, and South America, Asia, and Europe.

Unity Resources Group Logo
Unity Resources Group logo

Their experience in security jobs marks them as reliable partners for every serious player on the market. 20 years in business is not a small thing.

G4S Security

G4S security organization is the second-largest private employer in the world, just behind the famous Wal-Mart. Some operations of this company are oriented to banks, prisons, and airport security, but G4S also plays an important role in crisis zones worldwide.

G4S security logo
G4S Security company logo

G4S workers at one time were responsible for providing almost one-third of all non-military convoys in Iraq. In various combinations, this group is present in more than 125 countries worldwide, including some of the most dangerous parts of Africa and Latin America, where it deals with security.

G4S main headquarters are settled in London, and their motto is suggesting that they are the contractors who go where governments and armies can’t.

6 thoughts on “Top 9 Private Military Companies in the world”

  1. If a PMC is serving in Afghanistan and has decided to retire because he doesn’t want to participate in a mission that might take his life; is it common for the soldier to ask a family member or a friend to request his retirement through contacting an army General via email?

    Is payment required in order to replace him with another soldier? If yes, does he have access to his bank account to draw the amount for payment?

    Asking for a friend.

  2. I want to set up a private extraction team.please coordinate with , silent professionals.
    I think they are young and are having a hard time.

    Check my investment portfolio to see if I can afford your services.

    Pete Wlodylo Jr.

    My main investment is Idexx.

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