When an international force is present in a conflict country, the logistics and contracting practices required to sustain its presence significantly impact the local economy. Some operations rely on local purchasing as much as possible. Others are sustained by imported goods. Either case will significantly alter the marketplaces for goods, services and labour. If carried out effectively, local contracting holds the potential to be a vehicle for resuscitating the local economy.  However, the impact of international military contracting also runs the risk of increasing corruption.

Corruption—as well as negligence—results in contracts being awarded to known insurgents, which, in addition to jeopardizing the overall success of the campaign also alienate and antagonizes the population. Contracts that benefit highly corrupt individuals have a similar effect. The key to minimizing both instance of risk is information—particularly regarding networks around each contractor- and awareness among senior campaign commanders of the impact that contracting could have on the campaign.

Realistically, the difficulty of operational environments, particularly during early deployment stages, often makes completely clean, non-corrupt contracting unlikely. However, systematic knowledge-building about the contractor landscape among the entire chain of command will lead to a more effective operation support mechanism. Similarly, implementing clean procurement at the earliest opportunity helps to build transparent processes.

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