ArmorGroup is to provide former Ghurkas and Afghan guards to protect the US embassy in Kabul as part of a $189m (£95.5m) contract that will help the armed security group cut its reliance on Iraq.

The five-year Afghan deal, which starts in May, is Westminster-based Armor's biggest contract yet. As well as providing armed guards to protect embassy staff and assets it will also supply services such as catering and laundry. The deal includes the provision of dogs to detect explosives.