CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO DEFINING THE NATURE OF MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN UKRAINE AND THE WORLD
Abstract
The article examines conceptual approaches to defining the phenomenon of military-technical cooperation (MTC) in Ukraine and abroad. On the basis of a comparative analysis of Ukrainian legislation, legal frameworks of major arms-exporting states, as well as NATO, EU and specialised agency documents, the absence of a single universal definition of MTC is demonstrated. Two broad groups of approaches are identified. The first is represented by national concepts of arms-exporting countries, where MTC is usually defined through a list of forms of interaction at different stages of the life cycle of weapons and military equipment. The second group characterises supranational and institutional approaches, in which cooperation is understood more broadly as a multi-dimensional process that starts with the joint identification of capability needs, harmonisation of standards and planning of cooperative programmes and only then leads to the creation and operation of weapons. The article argues that a strictly “life-cycle” and goods-centred legal definition of MTC does not cover a wide range of contemporary forms of defence cooperation. Building on the synthesis of national and international approaches, the paper proposes a functional and goal-oriented definition of military-technical cooperation as a system of interactions between states aimed at strengthening their military potential through the development of capabilities in three interrelated dimensions: (1) means of armed struggle (weapons, military equipment and related systems); (2) the defence industrial and technological base (production capabilities, technologies, industrial cooperation and supply chains); and (3) human capital (training of military personnel, engineers and defence-industry specialists). This conceptualisation allows both traditional and new forms of cooperation to be captured within a single analytical framework. The results have practical relevance for updating Ukraine’s legal framework on MTC and for refining national security, defence-industrial and international defence-cooperation strategies.
References
SIPRI. Trends in world military expenditure, 2024. Стокгольм : Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2025. URL: https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2024 (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany). National security and defence industry strategy. Берлін, 2024. URL: https://www.bmvg.de/resource/blob/5873628/ 138fddf8112609dfdc3ea44a52ba9195/dl-national-security-and-defence-industry-strategy-data.pdf (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
Secrétariat général de la défense et de la sécurité nationale. Revue nationale stratégique 2022. Париж, 2022. URL: https://www.vie-publique.fr/files/rapport/pdf/287163.pdf (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
Севост’яненко Д.О. Правове регулювання військово-технічного співробітництва України. – Кваліфікаційна наукова праця на правах рукопису. Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня доктора філософії у галузі знань 08 «Право» за спеціальністю 081 «Право». – КНУ ім. Тараса Шевченка, Київ, 2024.
Плетньов О. В., Коваленко Є. В. Технічне співробітництво України як фактор забезпечення відсічі збройній агресії РФ. Вісник Кримінологічної асоціації України. 2025. № 1 (34). С. 588–603. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32631/vca.2025.1.46.
Ситник Г.П. Організаційно-правові засади забезпечення воєнної безпеки України : курс лекцій. Київ : ТОВ «САК Лтд.», 2023. 112 с.
Шемаєв В., Толок П., Онофрійчук А. Міжнародне військово‑технічне співробітництво в умовах збройної агресії та пріоритети розвитку оборонної промисловості України. Міжнародна економічна політика. 2023. № 1 (38). С. 103–116.
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.
Намонюк В. Розвиток військово‑технічного співробітництва України з іноземними партнерами в умовах глобальних трансформацій безпекового середовища. Економіка та суспільство. 2025. № 71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2025-71-172.
Джус О. Міжнародне військове партнерство як засіб забезпечення воєнної безпеки України. European Political and Law Discourse. 2018. Vol. 5. P. 54–61.
Andersson J. J. Buying weapons together (or not) : joint defence acquisition and parallel arms procurement (Brief No. 7). European Union Institute for Security Studies, 2023. URL: https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/buying-weapons-together-or-not (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
Scazzieri L. Rebuilding Europe’s defences : how to unlock a coordinated defence surge (Brief No. 22). European Union Institute for Security Studies, 2025. URL: https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/rebuilding-europes-defences-how-unlock-coordinated-defence-surge (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
DeVore M. R. International armaments collaboration and the limits of reform. Defence and Peace Economics. 2014. Vol. 25. № 4. P. 415–443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10242694.2013.793530.
Софронов О. О. Військово‑технічне співробітництво як складова державної політики України. Актуальні проблеми міжнародних відносин. 2010. Вип. 92. Ч. 2. С. 138–143.
В. Шемаєв, П. Толок, А. Онофрійчук. Міжнародне військово-технічне співробітництво в умовах збройної агресії та пріоритети розвитку оборонної промисловості України / Шемаєв Володимир, Толок Поліна, Онофрійчук Андрій // Міжнародна економічна політика. – 2023. – №1. – С. 103-116.
Мокляк С. П., Бегма В. М. Військово‑технічне співробітництво в умовах глобалізації : аналітична доповідь // Український вимір : матеріали круглого столу / за заг. ред. О. Литвиненка. Київ : НІСД, 2011. 80 с.
Джус О. А. Військово‑технічне співробітництво як визначальний напрямок міжнародного військового партнерства // Політичні проблеми міжнародних систем та глобального розвитку : тези доп. Київ : Військовий інститут Київського національного університету ім. Тараса Шевченка, 2018.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) [Електронний ресурс]. URL: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/organization/nato-structure/conference-of-national-armaments-directors-cnad (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
European Defence Agency (EDA). Mission and functions [Електронний ресурс]. URL: https://www.eda.europa.eu/who-we-are/Missionandfunctions (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
Defense Security Cooperation Agency. (n.d.). International armaments cooperation programs (IACP). In Security assistance management manual (SAMM). U.S. Department of Defense.
France. Décret n° 2011‑1606 du 22 novembre 2011 portant publication de l’accord entre le Gouvernement de la République française et le Gouvernement de la République du Kazakhstan relatif à la coopération dans le domaine de l’armement (signé à Astana le 6 octobre 2009). Journal officiel de la République française. 2011. № 0272.
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). Defence and Security Industrial Strategy: a strategic approach to the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors (CM 410). Лондон, 2021.
Ministero della Difesa. Direttiva per la politica industriale della difesa. Roma : Ministero della Difesa, 29 luglio 2021.
State of Israel. Defense Export Control Law, 5766–2007. Jerusalem : Ministry of Justice, 2007.
Gobierno de España. Ley 53/2007, de 28 de diciembre, sobre el control del comercio exterior de material de defensa y de doble uso (BOE‑A‑2007‑22437). Мадрид : Boletín Oficial del Estado, 2007. URL: https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2007-22437 (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
Republic of Korea. Defense Technology Security Act. Seoul : Korea Legislation Research Institute, 2015. URL: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/ lawView.do?hseq=38501 (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
DeVore M. R. Organizing international armaments cooperation : institutional design and path dependencies in Europe. European Security. 2012. Vol. 21. № 3. P. 432–458. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2012.667806
Ross T. DoD’s international armament cooperation: a unique opportunity for transformative change. Вашингтон, D.C.: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2017.
Watling J., Reynolds N. Preliminary lessons from Ukraine’s offensive operations : 2022–23. Лондон : Royal United Services Institute, 20 листопада 2023. URL: https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/special-resources/preliminary-lessons-ukraines-offensive-operations-2022-23 (дата звернення: 22.01.2026).
SIPRI. (2025). Trends in world military expenditure, 2024. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. https://www.sipri.org/publications/ 2025 /sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2024 (accessed December 10, 2025).
Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany). (2024). National security and defence industry strategy. https://www.bmvg.de/resource/blob/5873628/138fddf8112609dfdc3ea44a52ba9195/dl-national-security-and-defence-industry-strategy-data.pdf (accessed December 10, 2025).
Secrétariat général de la défense et de la sécurité nationale (SGDSN). (2022). National strategic review 2022. https://www.vie-publique.fr/files/rapport/pdf/287163.pdf (accessed December 10, 2025).
Sevostianenko, D. O. (2024). Legal regulation of military‑technical cooperation of Ukraine (PhD thesis). Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv.
Pletnov, O. V., & Kovalenko, Ye. V. (2025). Tekhnichne spivrobitnytstvo Ukrainy yak faktor zabezpechennia vidsichi zbroinoi ahresii RF [Technical cooperation of Ukraine as a factor in ensuring resistance to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation]. Visnyk Kryminolohichnoi asotsiatsii Ukrainy – Bulletin of the Criminological Association of Ukraine, 34(1), 588–603. https://doi.org/10.32631/vca.2025.1.46 (in Ukrainian).
Sytnyk, H. P. (2023). Orhanizatsiino‑pravovi zasady zabezpechennia voiennoi bezpeky Ukrainy: kurs lektsii [Organizational and legal foundations of ensuring Ukraine’s military security: Lecture course]. Kyiv: SAK Ltd. (in Ukrainian).
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 under the conditions of armed aggression and priorities for the development of Ukraine’s defence industry]. International Economic Policy, 1(38), 103–116. (in Ukrainian).
Vasylieva, N., Dzhyhora, O., & Dergaliuk, M. (2024). Ekonomichni aspekty viiskovo‑tekhnichnoho spivrobitnytstva : otsinka efektyvnosti ta perspektyv rozvytku [Economic aspects of military‑technical cooperation: Efficiency assessment and development prospects]. Ekonomika ta suspilstvo – Economy and Society, 69. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-69-142 (in Ukrainian).
Namoniuk, V. (2025). Rozvytok viiskovo‑tekhnichnoho spivrobitnytstva Ukrainy z inozemnymy partneramy v umovakh hlobalnykh transformatsii bezpekovogo seredovyshcha [Development of Ukraine’s military‑technical cooperation with foreign partners under conditions of global transformations of the security environment]. Ekonomika ta suspilstvo – Economy and Society, 71. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2025-71-172 (in Ukrainian).
Dzhus, O. (2018). International military partnership as a means of ensuring the military security of Ukraine. European Political and Law Discourse, 5(2), 54–61.
Andersson, J. J. (2023, April 3). Buying weapons together (or not): Joint defence acquisition and parallel arms procurement (EUISS Brief No. 7). European Union Institute for Security Studies. https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/buying-weapons-together-or-not
Scazzieri, L. (2025, September 23). Rebuilding Europe’s defences: How to unlock a coordinated defence surge (EUISS Brief No. 22). European Union Institute for Security Studies. https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/rebuilding-europes-defences-how-unlock-coordinated-defence-surge
DeVore, M. R. (2014). International armaments collaboration and the limits of reform. Defence and Peace Economics, 25(4), 415–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/10242694.2013.793530
Sofronov, O. O. (2010). Viiskovo‑tekhnichne spivrobitnytstvo yak skladova derzhavnoi polityky Ukrainy [Military‑technical cooperation as a component of the state policy of Ukraine]. Aktualni problemy mizhnarodnykh vidnosyn – Current Problems of International Relations, 92(2), 138–143. (in Ukrainian)
Shemaiev, V., Tolok, P., & Onofriichuk, A. (2023). International military-technical cooperation under the conditions of armed aggression and priorities for the development of the defence industry of Ukraine. International Economic Policy, 1, 103–116.
Mokliak, S. P., & Behma, V. M. (2011). Viiskovo‑tekhnichne spivrobitnytstvo v umovakh hlobalizatsii : analitichna dopovid [Military‑technical cooperation under conditions of globalisation: Analytical report]. In O. Lytvynenko (Ed.), Ukrainskyi vymir : materialy kruhloho stolu [Ukrainian dimension: Round table proceedings] (pp. 1–80). Kyiv: National Institute for Strategic Studies. (in Ukrainian).
Dzhus, O. A. (2018). Viiskovo‑tekhnichne spivrobitnytstvo yak vyznachalnyi napriamok mizhnarodnoho viiskovoho partnerstva [Military‑technical cooperation as a key direction of international military partnership]. Politychni problemy mizhnarodnykh system ta hlobalnoho rozvytku [Political problems of international systems and global development]. Kyiv: Military Institute, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. (in Ukrainian).
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (n.d.). Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD). https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/organization/nato-structure/conference-of-national-armaments-directors-cnad (accessed December 10, 2025).
European Defence Agency (EDA). (n.d.). Mission and functions. https://www.eda.europa.eu/who-we-are/Missionandfunctions (accessed December 10, 2025).
Defense Security Cooperation Agency. (n.d.). International armaments cooperation programs (IACP). In Security assistance management manual (SAMM). U.S. Department of Defense.
Government of France. (2011). Decree No. 2011‑1606 of 22 November 2011 publishing the Agreement between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in the field of armaments (signed in Astana, 6 October 2009). Journal officiel de la République française, 0272.
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). (2021, March). Defence and security industrial strategy: A strategic approach to the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors (CM 410).
Ministero della Difesa (Italy). (2021, July 29). Direttiva per la politica industriale della difesa [Directive on defence industrial policy]. Rome: Ministero della Difesa.
State of Israel. (2007). Defense Export Control Law, 5766–2007. Ministry of Justice.
Government of Spain. (2007). Law 53/2007 on the control of external trade in defence material and dual‑use goods. Boletín Oficial del Estado.
Republic of Korea. (2015). Defense Technology Security Act. Korea Legislation Research Institute. https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=38501 (accessed December 10, 2025).
DeVore, M. R. (2012). Organizing international armaments cooperation: Institutional design and path dependencies in Europe. European Security, 21(3), 432–458. https://doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2012.667806
Ross, T. (2017, November 21). DoD’s international armament cooperation: A unique opportunity for transformative change. Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Watling, J., & Reynolds, N. (2023, November 20). Preliminary lessons from Ukraine’s offensive operations: 2022–23. Royal United Services Institute. https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/special-resources/preliminary-lessons-ukraines-offensive-operations-2022-23 (accessed December 10, 2025).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
