Most defense and space contractors don’t realize they may already carry Law of War obligations.
Because most people hear “Law of War” (or LOAC / IHL) and think that’s only the responsibility of governments and militaries.
That means it’s easy for companies to miss the relevance to their actions, products, and services.
💡 But here’s the reality: defense and space contractors also must comply when supporting overseas and space missions (even if the contractor is sitting in the U.S.).
Why?
Because international law binds the U.S. government. And through U.S. law, DoD policy and regulations, and contracts, those same obligations extend directly to the companies supporting it.
So, contractors must ensure their actions, products, and services comply with the Law of War.
That means protecting civilians, the wounded and sick, and prisoners of war. It also means ensuring the means and methods of warfare tied to their products and services comply with international law.
The risks of overlooking this are real:
🚨 Harm to protected groups
🚨 Mission disruption from halted operations
🚨 Crippling legal liability
🚨 Reputational damage ending opportunities
But here’s what triggers those risks before an incident ever occurs:
1️⃣ Not realizing your company’s Law of War obligations are clearly documented.
2️⃣ Failing to build compliance programs into your operations (as required).
In today’s volatile world, the likelihood of conflict (terrestrial or even in orbit) is only increasing. Whether you’re supplying weapons, launching dual-use satellites, providing AI, cyber, or logistics support, or supporting intelligence operations, no contractor wants to become the test case for noncompliance.
Staying proactive is survival.
🚀 Conflict Orbit is a private law firm dedicated exclusively to Law of War compliance.
Richard Waring
Conflict Orbit
South Carolina Office:
40 Calhoun St., Suite 250F
Charleston, SC 29401
D.C. Office:
1050 Connecticut Ave., Suite 500 #5029
Washington, D.C. 20036
Disclaimer: Conflict Orbit is a private entity unaffiliated with the U.S. Government. The views expressed herein are solely those of Richard Waring in his private capacity and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense. This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing or responding to this post does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor should this be interpreted as a guarantee of results. All information presented is based on publicly available sources.
Licensed to practice law in South Carolina and in the District of Columbia (D.C.).