Varangian Group Military Company

Varangisk Grupp
Varangian Group Military Company Varangisk Grupp Militärkompani
Varangisk Grupp
File:VGMK.png
Type	Private Military Company
Traded as	VGMK
Founded	1945
Founder	Corporal Erik Andersson
Headquarters	Gustavshamn, Guinean Union
Area served	Africa and Asia

Varangian Group Military Company (Swedish: Varangisk Grupp Militärkompani) is a Swedish-owned private military company headquartered in Gustavshamn, Guinean Union. It offers a multitude of services to its clients, from security operations and rescue missions from war-torn areas around the world. The VGMK markets itself as a better alternative to regular military and other private military companies as they offer military services and expertise without the hindrance of state bureaucracy.

VGMK

History

Early History

The Varangian Group was founded in 1945, by Erik Andersson, a former army corporal. After the decolonization efforts of the Swedish Republic, the independence of the Guinean Union meant a lack of need for a troop garrison in the area. Though the Swedish troops stationed in Guinea were transferred back to Sweden proper, some of these troops decided to resign. A deciding factor that motivated these soldiers to resign can be their lackluster pay compared to other occupations at the time. Andersson used his connections in the government and abroad, he gathered military surplus discarded by the Swedish military and funds to establish a military company. Around 200 men without a job in the military were offered a deal by Andersson. A 5 year contract in the company in exchange for a salary twice as large than in any white-collar business at the time. The 200 or so personnel at the time would form the basis of what would be the VGMK.

A picture taken of Andersson smoking a cigarette, Guinean Union.

Guinean Union

The VGMK was faced with numerous challenges upon its inception. Problems such as their source of income and recruitment pools. To solve at least on their problems, the company would look to the recently decolonized nations of Africa and Asia for opportunities, as Anderson stated that 'The continents of Africa and Asia are untapped mines for opportunity. Europe and America, on the other hand, have their own problems already; so I don't much care for them.' The nation of the Guinean Union would approach the company with contracts, with VGMK personnel training Guinean troops in exchange for a ludicrous amount of money. The company would send 100 men to the country, training their troops and bringing their expertise to help their military operate various military installations left behind by Sweden. The VGMK then used their money to buy modern weapons, and a plot of land in Gustavshamn that would later serve as headquarters for the military company. The Guinean Union used this military training to involve itself in numerous conflicts which would eventually propel the country into a regional power of West Africa.

Involvement in the Zambezian Wars

The Zambezian Wars would prove Andersson's statements correct as numerous private companies stranded in the war-torn region would prove to be the perfect opportunity for the company. The VGMK would accept lucrative contracts from various corporations in the form of escort missions and protecting valuable cargo from militia forces in the region. The company would soon accept contracts from the Portuguese colonial government; as the militia forces around the region impeded evacuation efforts of Portuguese officials from Zambezia.