Multinational Mercenaries: The Dangers of Private Sector Operational Involvements

When a drone from an adversary attacks an office in Amberley, how many of our industry partners will show up at work on Monday without substantial contract renegotiation? In today’s globalised world, the line between national defence and private enterprise has blurred, particularly in the Air, Space and Cyber domains of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Multinational companies have made themselves indispensable to modern militaries, providing advanced technologies, weapons systems, and now operational and staffing support. While these corporations have undeniably revolutionised air power for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other militaries worldwide, reliance on private contractors poses significant risks for Australia—a reality that mirrors history, as described in the teachings of Niccolò Machiavelli, the 16th-century political theorist.