G4S Afghan Contract Raises Profile Of Britain’s Security Industry Date: Thursday, March 25, 2010 Source: Times Online

G4S has won a £70 million contract to protect diplomats in Afghanistan as the Government tries to boost the profile of British security firms. Under the three-year deal, G4S will provide 1,000 security guards to protect the British Embassy in Kabul and other places used by UK diplomats. The G4S personnel, about half of whom are local, will provide mobile security for diplomats as they move around the country. The former Group 4 Security is also understood to have won a smaller £5 million-a-year contract for security at eight Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings in Britain, including on Whitehall. Both contracts are expected to be confirmed this week. G4S declined to comment before an official announcement. The company’s ArmorGroup subsidiary, which it bought for £47 million two years ago, has protected Foreign Office staff in Afghanistan since 2003. It also protects the US Embassy in Kabul after winning a $189 million contract three years ago. The Foreign Office contract comes as Britain looks to champion its expertise in the security industries, which includes everything from airport scanners to private security companies. Smiths Security, for example, is the world leader in scanners to detect firearms and explosives. BAE Systems, Europe’s largest defence company, sees security as a growth market and provides intelligence and analytical services to governments and companies. UK Trade & Investment will host a conference today to develop a strategy for promoting British security companies abroad. It said: “The UK security industry is in a strong position to become an international leader in the provision of security services, products and solutions around the world. We need to take it global to take advantage of our reputation as highly skilled and experienced practitioners and providers.” UKTI is to develop a marketing strategy for the industry to promote it overseas. It said: “The objective is for the UK security industry to speak with a single voice across the world, positioning the UK as destination of choice for security solutions.” The Government is also close to agreeing a regulatory framework for private security companies in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. It is hoped that if British companies are seen to have the highest standards, it will help them to win contracts abroad. The Foreign Office spent £48 million on security companies last year, of which £21 million was spent in Iraq and £18.5 million in Afghanistan. To see the article please click on the link below. Times Online Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal