Several countries across the world, including the US, Russia, and Germany, have private armies that usually owe allegiance to a private person, group, or organisation. Also known as private military companies (PMCs) or private security companies (PSCs), these are non-state armed forces that are paid to do military operations usually in a foreign conflict zone. Fundamentally profit-maximizing outfits, private armies "represent the commodification of armed conflict," notes an article in National Defence University Press.
One such private military group, Russia's Wagner Group, was in the news recently over its involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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India does not have such private armies, and in a recent interview, former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief R.K.S. Bhadauria ruled out the possibility of the country having one such force in the future.
In an interview to Bharat Tak, Bhadauria said India does not need a private army and added that the country already has highly professional and trained armed forces that are capable of protecting the national security interest.
"The Indian armed forces have consistently proven their capability, dedication, and professionalism, and there is no need to consider a private army for our defence needs," he was quoted as saying.
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According to IDRW, defence expert Ranesh Rajan said India does not entertain the concept of a private army that operates outside the purview of the official military command. He said such a private army is not only unnecessary "but also potentially dangerous as it could lead to fragmentation and loss of control over military operations."