DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENSE-TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN UKRAINE AND FOREIGN PARTNERS AMID GLOBAL SECURITY TRANSFORMATIONS
Abstract
The article analyses the current state and development prospects of Ukraine’s military-technical cooperation with foreign partners. The research underscores the strategic importance of international partnerships in strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities and integrating its defence-industrial complex into global production networks. The study reveals that after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has significantly intensified its defence cooperation with NATO and EU countries, which is manifested in the creation of joint ventures, the establishment of licensed production, and technology transfer in various sectors, particularly in unmanned systems and electronic warfare. Several key challenges hindering Ukraine's deeper integration into existing collective security systems were identified. The study emphasizes that Ukraine possesses unique combat experience and demonstrates significant potential for specialization in certain technological niches, factors not always fully considered in existing cooperation models. The article proposes a series of interconnected mechanisms designed to attract modern technologies to the defence sector, encompassing the enhancement of international military-technical cooperation, stimulation of innovation, improvements in weapons procurement processes, training of highly qualified personnel, and creation of specialized institutions for coordinating technological development. It also highlights the strategic importance of developing dual-use technologies. Key are areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Practical recommendations for improving Ukraine's international defence cooperation are formulated, focusing on strengthening political dialogue with partner countries, expanding the legal framework, optimizing export control procedures, increasing participation in international organizations and programs, creating a favourable investment climate, developing public-private partnerships, and ensuring robust information support for cooperative endeavours.
References
Васильєва Н., Джигора О., Дергалюк М. Економічні аспекти військово-технічного співробітництва: оцінка ефективності та перспектив розвитку. Економіка та суспільство. 2024. № 69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-69-142.
Джус О. Міжнародне військове партнерство як засіб забезпечення воєнної безпеки України. European Political and Law Discourse. 2018. Vol.5, Is. 2. C. 54-61.
Кудирко Л., Ватах Ю. Стратегічне партнерство України та Туреччини у військово-торговельній сфері. Економічний простір. 2024. № 191, С. 185-192. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2224-6282/191-30.
Лухтан А. І. Міжнародне військове співробітництво України: історико-теоретичний аспект. Військово-науковий вісник. 2017. № 27. С. 125-134.
Романюк Н. Військово-технічне співробітництво України та Канади. Міжнародні відносини, суспільні комунікації та регіональні студії. 2018. № 2. С. 137-146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2018-02-137-146.
Шемаєв В., Толок П. , Онофрійчук А. Міжнародне військово-технічне співробітництво в умовах збройної агресії та пріоритети розвитку оборонної промисловості України. Міжнародна економічна політика. 2023. № 38. С. 103-116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33111/iep.2023.38.05.
A snapshot of ‘Ramstein’ in figures: 25 meetings and over $145 billion in aid to Ukraine. Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. URL: https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/a-snapshot-of-ramstein-in-figures-25-meetings-and-over-145-billion-in-aid-to-ukraine/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Arsenal of Democracy: Integrating Ukraine Into the West's Defense Industrial Base. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 2023, December. URL: https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/12/arsenal-of-democracy-integrating-ukraine-into-the-wests-defense-industrial-base?center=china (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Doing Business in Ukraine: The Future of Ukraine's Defense Industrial Base. CSIS. n.d. URL: https://www.csis.org/events/doing-business-ukraine-future-ukraines-defense-industrial-base (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Global defense revenues grew in 2023 amid Ukraine, Middle East conflicts: SIPRI report. Breaking Defense. 2024. URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/12/global-defense-revenues-grew-in-2023-amid-ukraine-middle-east-conflicts-sipri-report/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
How Ukraine Rebuilt Its Military Acquisition System Around Commercial Technology. CSIS. n.d. URL: https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-ukraine-rebuilt-its-military-acquisition-system-around-commercial-technology (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Ukraine Aspires to Become Arsenal to the West. The Jamestown Foundation. n.d. URL: https://jamestown.org/program/ukraine-aspires-to-become-arsenal-to-the-west/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Ukraine Attracts More Western Defense Collaboration. The Defense Post. 2024, October 9. URL: https://thedefensepost.com/2024/10/09/ukraine-western-defense-collaboration/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Ukraine's Defense Industry Evolution: A Gateway for Innovative Cooperation? UkraineWorld. n.d. URL: https://ukraineworld.org/en/articles/stories/ukraines-defense-industry (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Ukraine's innovative defense industry can play a key role in Western security. Atlantic Council. n.d. URL: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraines-innovative-defense-industry-can-play-a-key-role-in-western-security/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Ukrainian Defence Industry revenues up by 50% compared to last year. Ukrainska Pravda. 2024, October 9. URL: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/9/7478872/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
We need to prevent Ukraine from becoming an arms hub. Stop Wapenhandel. n.d. URL: https://stopwapenhandel.org/we-should-prevent-that-ukraine-becomes-an-arms-hub/ (дата звернення: 03.02.2025).
Vasylieva, N., Dzhyhora, O., & Derhaliuk, M. (2024). Ekonomichni aspekty viiskovo-tekhnichnoho spivrobitnytstva: otsinka efektyvnosti ta perspektyv rozvytku [Economic aspects of military-technical cooperation: evaluation of efficiency and development prospects]. Ekonomika ta suspilstvo – Economy and Society, (69). https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-69-142
Dzhus, O. (2018). Mizhnarodne viiskove partnerstvo yak zasib zabezpechennia voiennoi bezpeky Ukrainy [International military partnership as a means of ensuring Ukraine's military security]. European Political and Law Discourse, 5(2), 54–61.
Kudyrko, L., & Vatakh, Yu. (2024). Stratehichne partnerstvo Ukrainy ta Turechchyny u viiskovo-torhovelnii sferi [Strategic partnership between Ukraine and Turkey in the military-trade sphere]. Ekonomichnyi prostir – Economic Scope, (191), 185–192. https://doi.org/10.32782/2224-6282/191-30
Lukhtan, A. I. (2017). Mizhnarodne viiskove spivrobitnytstvo Ukrainy: istoryko-teoretychnyi aspekt [International military cooperation of Ukraine: historical and theoretical aspect]. Viiskovo-naukovyi visnyk – Military Science Bulletin, (27), 125–134.
Romaniuk, N. (2018). Viiskovo-tekhnichne spivrobitnytstvo Ukrainy ta Kanady [Military-technical cooperation between Ukraine and Canada]. Mizhnarodni vidnosyny, suspilni komunikatsii ta rehionalni studii – International Relations, Social Communications and Regional Studies, (2), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2018-02-137-146
Shemaiev, V., Tolok, P., & Onofriichuk, A. (2023). Mizhnarodne viiskovo-tekhnichne spivrobitnytstvo v umovakh zbroinoi ahresii ta priorytety rozvytku oboronnoi promyslovosti Ukrainy [International military-technical cooperation in the conditions of armed aggression and priorities for the development of the defense industry of Ukraine]. Mizhnarodna ekonomichna polityka – International Economic Policy, (38), 103–116. https://doi.org/10.33111/iep.2023.38.05
A snapshot of ‘Ramstein’ in figures: 25 meetings and over $145 billion in aid to Ukraine. (n.d.). Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Available at: https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/a-snapshot-of-ramstein-in-figures-25-meetings-and-over-145-billion-in-aid-to-ukraine/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
Arsenal of Democracy: Integrating Ukraine Into the West's Defense Industrial Base. (2023, December). Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Available at: https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/12/arsenal-of-democracy-integrating-ukraine-into-the-wests-defense-industrial-base?center=china (accessed February 3, 2025).
Doing Business in Ukraine: The Future of Ukraine's Defense Industrial Base. (n.d.). CSIS. Available at: https://www.csis.org/events/doing-business-ukraine-future-ukraines-defense-industrial-base (accessed February 3, 2025).
Global defense revenues grew in 2023 amid Ukraine, Middle East conflicts: SIPRI report. (2024). Breaking Defense. Available at: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/12/global-defense-revenues-grew-in-2023-amid-ukraine-middle-east-conflicts-sipri-report/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
How Ukraine Rebuilt Its Military Acquisition System Around Commercial Technology. (n.d.). CSIS. Available at: https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-ukraine-rebuilt-its-military-acquisition-system-around-commercial-technology (accessed February 3, 2025).
Ukraine Aspires to Become Arsenal to the West. (n.d.). The Jamestown Foundation. Available at: https://jamestown.org/program/ukraine-aspires-to-become-arsenal-to-the-west/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
Ukraine Attracts More Western Defense Collaboration. (2024, October 9). The Defense Post. Available at: https://thedefensepost.com/2024/10/09/ukraine-western-defense-collaboration/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
Ukraine's Defense Industry Evolution: A Gateway for Innovative Cooperation? (n.d.). UkraineWorld. Available at: https://ukraineworld.org/en/articles/stories/ukraines-defense-industry (accessed February 3, 2025).
Ukraine's innovative defense industry can play a key role in Western security. (n.d.). Atlantic Council. Available at: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraines-innovative-defense-industry-can-play-a-key-role-in-western-security/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
Ukrainian Defence Industry revenues up by 50% compared to last year. (2024, October 9). Ukrainska Pravda. Available at: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/9/7478872/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
We need to prevent Ukraine from becoming an arms hub. (n.d.). Stop Wapenhandel. Available at: https://stopwapenhandel.org/we-should-prevent-that-ukraine-becomes-an-arms-hub/ (accessed February 3, 2025).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
