Defense companies employ former military officials or politicians as lobbyists and board members for a simple but powerful reason: it grants them unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and credibility that is otherwise impossible to obtain.

This practice, known as the "revolving door," is a key part of the defense industry's influence strategy in Britain and Europe. It's not just about hiring individuals; it's about acquiring an institution's memory, relationships, and strategic insights for private commercial gain.

Access and Relationships

The primary benefit of hiring former military officials and politicians is the exclusive access they bring.

• Network of Contacts: A former general or minister has spent decades building a network of relationships with current and future leaders in the armed forces, defense ministries, and other government departments. This network is invaluable. It allows a company to bypass formal, often slower, channels and gain direct access to the key decision-makers who will be shaping policy and allocating budgets.

• Privileged Meetings: These individuals can secure meetings with high-ranking officials that would be difficult for a standard corporate lobbyist to arrange. This gives defense companies a direct line to influence policy, from the design of a new weapons system to the budget allocation for a particular program. This practice is so common that some defense companies have their own advisory boards, often staffed by former senior officials, to facilitate this access.

Insider Knowledge and Strategic Insight

Beyond access, former officials provide a deep understanding of how government and military institutions operate.

• Understanding the System: A former military official understands the inner workings of defense procurement, from the long and complex bid process to the internal politics of a government department. They know what questions to ask, what arguments will resonate, and what red tape to navigate. This is a form of "bureaucratic capital," which is an individual's accumulated knowledge of a government's structure, rules, and informal norms.

• Preempting Policy Changes: Former politicians and officials can provide their new employers with insight into emerging policy changes, strategic priorities, and potential budget cuts before this information becomes public. This allows companies to tailor their products, lobbying efforts, and business strategies to align with the government's future direction, giving them a significant competitive advantage.

Credibility and Legitimacy

Hiring former government officials also grants defense companies a veneer of credibility and legitimacy.

• "Experts" and "Advisors": When a defense company hires a retired four-star general or a former defense minister, it can present them as an "expert" or "advisor," not just a lobbyist. This framing makes their lobbying more effective, as their arguments are often perceived as being based on strategic necessity rather than commercial interest. This lends a powerful, non-commercial voice to what is ultimately a commercial argument.

• "Seal of Approval": The presence of these individuals on a company's board can be seen as a "seal of approval," signaling to government officials and potential buyers that the company is a trusted and knowledgeable partner. It also creates a sense of shared purpose, where the company and the government are seen as a team working towards a common goal of national security. .