One of the most important areas of the foreign policy of any state is military-technical cooperation with its partners in the international arena. It is also worth knowing that although huge financial interests are involved in this area, the profit from such cooperation is not the most important factor. For example, Russia's military-technical cooperation is considered so important for the country's political leadership that it is controlled by a special law and is carried out through a special organization, which is a monopolist in its field.
Brief Background
Military-technical cooperation in the form in which it exists today in Russia began to take shape in the early fifties of the twentieth century. Immediately after World War II, when a noticeable tension arose between the USSR and Western countries, it became clear that competition in the military sphere was an integral part of the state’s foreign policy.
Already in 1953, it was decided to create the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. The new state organization combined the functions of the Main Engineering Directorate and partially the Ministry of Foreign and Internal Trade. Since all commercial activity at that time was under the direct control of the state, the military-technical cooperation service was automatically monopolized. Thus, not only all profits fell into the hands of the state, but the very idea of international cooperation in the military sphere became a part of foreign policy.
Since there were two large political camps on the world military-political arena at that time, the confrontation was extremely tough, using all available means. Of course, in such a situation, only those countries that were part of the Soviet sphere of influence became partners in military-technical cooperation. Such countries included the states that were part of the Warsaw Pact Organization, as well as the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, which officially declared their intentions to follow the path of socialist development.
Military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation
The current state of affairs in the Russian MTC with foreign partners is the result of the development of the Soviet scheme. The total monopolization of foreign trade in military and dual technologies was a continuation of a long Soviet tradition, according to which all technologies of national importance could become part of Russia's military-technical cooperation only under the vigilant control of the state.
However, in the modern doctrine of capitalist Russia, attention is also paid to the extraction of commercial profit. The very concept of "arms trade" appeared only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, while until then the terms "providing military assistance" and "military-technical cooperation" were used.
Such terminology was justified largely due to the fact that not all political allies of the USSR could pay for expensive equipment and technologies, and received it virtually for free in exchange for political support for the Soviet doctrine. In the modern world, partnership is built on a more equal basis, but still does not exclude certain benefits and preferences in accordance with allied obligations.
Components of military-technical cooperation
Given the importance of the sphere, it is not surprising that any state has a well-developed legislative framework regulating the circulation of military equipment and other aspects of cooperation in the military sphere. In Russia, there is a special Federal Law (FZ) "On military-technical cooperation", which is part of a broader legislation regulating international trade.
It is worth noting that a feature of Russian legislation in this area is its universal coherence, which is manifested in a single policy of all interested services and departments that monitor trade and licensing of technologies that can be used in the production of military products. In the field of military-technical cooperation, the state pays great attention to observing the non-proliferation of any technology, which can lead to the creation of weapons of mass destruction, whether nuclear or chemical, as well as biological.
In order to prevent dangerous materials and technologies from falling into the hands of international terrorists, comprehensive lists have been created that list all materials, raw materials, resources, equipment and technologies, as well as information that can help create weapons. Any materials mentioned in a special presidential decree cannot be exported bypassing special services. In Russia, the supply of arms is monopolized and carried out by a single corporation - Rosoboronexport.
Rosoboronexport is the only official intermediary that supplies the international market with dual-use equipment, machinery and technologies, as well as weapons and other special technical means. In fact, this corporation continues the tradition of a state intermediary, which was laid down in the USSR in 1953. No transaction for the sale or maintenance of military or dual-use equipment can be made bypassing this corporation, which continues the work of the military-technical cooperation service. Rosoboronexport is an enterprise in the state corporation Rostec.
Despite the fact that Russia operates today in a global market, the supply of arms is considered a matter of extreme political importance, and therefore can not be bypassed state control.
However, in addition to the state corporation, there is also a special department that exercises control over the import and export of military products. The functions of the supervisory authority are assigned to the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, which is the executive authority in the state system of the Russian Federation. At the moment, the service is headed by Dmitry Evgenievich Shugaev, and its powers include the issuance of licenses and supervision of the export of technologies for both dual and direct military purposes.
Military Cooperation Law
As already mentioned, the Russian legislative base on military-technical cooperation is well developed and agreed upon. First of all, it is worth saying that according to the Constitution, the definition of the vector of foreign trade activity of Russia is the competence of the president.
Also, special federal law No. 114 governs all aspects of international cooperation in the field of arms trade, dual technologies and materials. Such cooperation refers to the import and export, development and transfer of licenses, as well as information. The law on military-technical cooperation is also supplemented by the federal law "On international treaties of the Russian Federation."
Particularly in international military cooperation is the interaction in the field of military education. This area is regulated by a special law "On the organization of training of national military personnel and foreign specialists." It is worth noting that, according to numerous international agreements, the Russian Federation trains foreign military specialists in its military academies and institutes.
In addition to the law on military-technical cooperation and presidential decrees, the sphere is under the control of special government decrees. The government offers the president contracts for concluding with foreign states.
International control
However, no matter how broad powers in the sphere of international military interaction the authorities in Russia have, they are also limited by the international community. First of all, it is worth remembering that according to the Russian constitution, international treaties take precedence over the domestic laws of the country.
In this sense, Russia is part of the global community, which seeks the most transparent circulation of weapons and dual technologies, which should contribute to international stability and security. The catastrophic experience of the twentieth century forced the state to work more closely on security issues.
For example, under strict international control is the circulation of chemicals and materials that can be used in the production of chemical weapons of mass destruction. So, in 1997, with the direct participation of the UN, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was created.
Nuclear weapons, as well as all materials and technologies used in its production, are also under the constant supervision of the international community. The non-proliferation regime is formally adopted by all members of the world community.
How are international military-technical treaties arranged?
International cooperation in the field of military technology is an extremely delicate sphere, as it includes a variety of state interests, both political and economic. Given that the international situation can change at any time, all the details of such cooperation should be carefully studied and worked out, and any unforeseen circumstances taken into account.
As a rule, the agreement indicates the full amount of mutual obligations that are accepted in accordance with economic, historical and political conditions. For example, restrictions are imposed on the transfer of relevant information to third parties or the independent production of military equipment without paying licenses is prohibited. An integral part of such agreements is the indication of sanctions for violation of the terms of the agreement.
Short-term technical cooperation
As already mentioned, military-technical cooperation is an integral part of the foreign policy of any state, and therefore cannot contradict its security interests. Due to such a restriction, each country very carefully selects a partner for cooperation, determining in each case the amount of assistance and the depth of cooperation in order to maintain a complex balance between the interests of its own security and the desire to make a profit, both financially and politically.
Most of the agreements on military-technical cooperation of Russia are temporary and include both arms supplies and contracts for subsequent technical maintenance of equipment. In addition, any equipment needs qualified personnel, which, as a rule, is prepared under the same arrangements.
Collaboration with African countries
A striking example of such tactical cooperation in the military sphere is the agreement signed between Russia and Tanzania in October 2018. According to this agreement, it is valid for five years and is automatically renewed if none of the parties declares its termination. It is assumed that Russia will supply arms and technology to an African country, as well as train foreign specialists in its own educational institutions in Russia. In addition, consultants will be deployed to Tanzania to train staff on site. As part of such an agreement, design and research will also be carried out.
In addition to the benefits for both parties, sanctions are also provided for delaying the delivery of equipment or re-exporting equipment to third countries. Such military-technical cooperation will help Russia not only make money and increase its share in the global arms market, but also expand its sphere of military-political influence on the African continent.
Global Market and Technology
If in the XX century military cooperation was reduced, as a rule, to the supply of a limited amount of military equipment, ammunition and spare parts for servicing the supplied equipment, then the global market of technologies, knowledge and information requires a fundamentally different approach to international cooperation in the military sphere.
Today, buyers of weapons and dual-use technologies are becoming increasingly demanding on the level of equipment and services and are counting on a wider range of support and support during the operation of equipment. In addition, not wanting to become dependent on a foreign supplier, many states insist on the licensed production of some units, components or a complete set of equipment.
In this regard, the creation of joint ventures with foreign partners has become an important part of Russia's strategy today. At such enterprises, they develop equipment, technologies, train specialists, carry out technical control and produce the final product. Important strategic partners involved in this kind of cooperation are India and China for Russia.
Cooperation with Asian countries
Since the forties of the twentieth century, military-technical cooperation between China and Russia has been constant, although not problem-free, in nature. Even during the years of the civil war in China, the USSR took the side of the communist army, which allowed Mao Zedong to establish his power over the entire territory of the country, with the exception of the island of Taiwan.
Subsequently, the Soviet Union helped China acquire its own nuclear weapons and begin to develop a missile program, which today is based, among other things, on the space program of the Republic of China. In matters of military-technical cooperation, China is always striving to maximize its benefits. For example, buying several fighter jets from Russia, he expects subsequent licensed production and assistance in developing a new generation of equipment.
In addition, China has never shunned gray schemes for obtaining technology, without even avoiding outright industrial espionage. The practice of buying a small amount of equipment for subsequent study and disassembly with the intention of reproducing the technologies used was widespread.
India, in turn, is a more consistent and open partner, announcing in advance its intention not only to buy the final product, but also to master the technology, train personnel and learn how to service the purchased equipment. In addition, a high level of trust between the two countries allows for cooperation at an incredibly high level. For example, after free transfer of its own aircraft carrier to India, Russia received a contract to equip its infrastructure, as well as technical modernization of the warship.
All agreements on military-technical cooperation include both sanctions and possible changes, which are introduced by mutual agreement. For example, treaties with India are changed from time to time in favor of expanding and deepening cooperation. In the case of this Asian country, the military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation is calculated not only on political dividends, but also on commercial profit.