Background

In 2003 the British Government announced that it would be supporting the reconstruction and redevelopment of Afghanistan

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office awarded ArmorGroup the contract to provide Close Protection and site security teams for British Government personnel and those working for organisations such as DFID, HM Customs and Revenue and the British Council.

The brief was to create a secure environment for these personnel to facilitate the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

ArmorGroup actions

ArmorGroup’s ongoing FCO operation is currently supported by over 200 international, 250 Gurkha and 250 Afghan employees:

• The British Embassy and British Council offices in Kabul and other properties are secured by ArmorGroup Gurkhas and Afghan locals.
• Armorgroup’s Close Protection teams protect UK Government personnel as they travel throughout the country, including the volatile Helmand Province. These teams currently carry out over 900 missions a month across the country.

To support this expanding Afghanistan operation ArmorGroup has invested over $4 million in the construction of a comprehensive infrastructure across the country, including accomodation in Lashkar Gah and Kandahar as well as its purpose-built facility at Anjuman Base on the outskirts of Kabul. This highly secure base offers clients a secure and comfortable environment from which to base themselves when in Kabul and other benefits including:

- coordinated and protected fast track service through Kabul International airport;

- 24/7 operations centre;

- accommodation for up to 300 clients/visitors;

- extensive training facilities, including defensive/off road driver training area; and

- medical clinic for ‘drop-in’ and trauma health care

ArmorGroup also conducts training for international peace and security organisations, such as the United Nations, at Anjuman Base. Using classrooms, the off-road driving course and the skid pan ArmorGroup instructors can train these organisations’ drivers to improve their situational awareness and driving ability.

ArmorGroup has also conducted Hostile Environment Awareness Training for the Afghan Police and UK Government agencies, all designed to increase the awareness of threat and enhance the safety of local nationals operating in Afghanistan.

Results

The ArmorGroup teams have successfully countered a number of incidents over the period the contract has been running:

• a suicide vehicle bomb which detonated next to a convoy of ArmorGroup armored vehicles. The client escaped unhurt, due mainly to the B6 armour on the ArmorGroup vehicles, and was safely escorted back to the British Embassy.
• a Close Protection team was travelling with the British Ambassador aboard a C-130 aircraft, which caught fire while landing at Lashkah Gar. The ArmorGroup team reacted instantly the plane stopped and with his CP team evacuated the Ambassador from the aircraft to safety without injury; within two minutes from the initial outbreak of the fire the aircraft reduced to a charred wreck. The British Ambassador paid a personal visit to Anjuman Base especially to thank the team for their professional and rapid response.

In November 2006 the FCO re-awarded ArmorGroup the $30 million contract for the provision of security services to the UK Government in Afghanistan. This contract, which the Group announced on 29 November 2006, was worth around $30 million per annum, but has now been increased to $38.5 million per annum due to additional requirements.