Private military airforce.

[TheContrarian]

I wish that didn't matter.  At least with enemies, you know where their allegiances lie.  With sellswords...

...you also know exactly where their allegiances lie.

So long as you have a greater cashflow than the opposition...

[RavynousHunter]

I wish that didn't matter.  At least with enemies, you know where their allegiances lie.  With sellswords...

...you also know exactly where their allegiances lie.

So long as you have a greater cashflow than the opposition...

Which constantly fluctuates according to numerous variables both within and without your control.

But, please, do go on about how we can trust mercenaries.

[TheContrarian]

I wish that didn't matter.  At least with enemies, you know where their allegiances lie.  With sellswords...

...you also know exactly where their allegiances lie.

So long as you have a greater cashflow than the opposition...

Which constantly fluctuates according to numerous variables both within and without your control.

But, please, do go on about how we can trust mercenaries.

*for a given value of trust, your mileage may vary.

I'd say unless you've paid for a bunch of Genoese crossbowmen you should be ok.

[ironbite]

I wish that didn't matter.  At least with enemies, you know where their allegiances lie.  With sellswords...

...you also know exactly where their allegiances lie.

So long as you have a greater cashflow than the opposition...

Which constantly fluctuates according to numerous variables both within and without your control.

But, please, do go on about how we can trust mercenaries.

Kerowyn and the Skybolts would like a word with you.

Ironbite-oh wait real life mercs.

[Damen]

Ya know, we keep going after ISIS and the like, why the hell is this guy still alive?  Shouldn't building a fucking air force, in secret, with no knowledge of his host government be some serious kind of international crime?

At the risk of saying the obvious, I imagine being white, male, and rich helps.

This is the relevant part. Money buys a lot of blind eyes and deaf ears.

[Askold]

Seeing as Blackwater attacked US allies and robbed their weapons depot to sell the arms to the enemies of USA (I seem to recall it was officially called "lateral means of acquiring funds" or something like that) being the richest customer or highest bidder does not seem to guarantee loyalty from mercs.