The Military Industry Privatization as the Contemporaneous Tendency in International Relations

In the scientific article, the issue of the military industry privatization is discussed. The authors analyze the genesis of private military companies (PMCs) and popular approaches to their understanding. Classification of PMCs is proposed (combat support PMCs; logistics, provision and training PMCs; security services PMCs). Each kind of PMC obtains its immanent functions (spheres of activity). Having the analysis of prominent PMC classifications, the authors propose their comprehensive classification, considering three distinct criteria: PMC's kind of activity (private military consulting companies, private military security companies, private military combat companies, and universal private military companies were distinguished); PMC's sort of clients (PMCs under national, and regional and intercontinental command); territories in which PMCs operate (local, subregional, regional and global PMCs were differentiated). A comparative study was conducted, particularly on PMCs and mercenaries. Historical roots of mercenary phenomena were tracked, as well as the feasible regulation of mercenaries by International agreements, such as the UN Convention on Mercenaries and The Geneva Conventions. Key differences between mercenaries and PMCs in the modern era were demonstrated: diverging establishment periods, employers, motivation, legal regulation, formality levels, activity peculiarities, etc.