The future of the Russia’s military industry: can “special deliveries”, desperate needs, generous loan deals, and “old love” from Soviet Times keep partnerships running?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to analyse both the achievements and chances of survival of the Russian military industry in the upcoming years. The central question at issue here is whether lack of both innovation and investments as well as the pressure of international sanctions can be compensated by other factors like the drop in prices for older military equipment, generous loans, quick deliveries, support of special forces that comes together with the Russian military equipment, and the former reliable partnership that dates back to Soviet times. The article also debates the impact of global economic recession in 2020 and of the decline in prices to the production of military equipment in Russia. Since both the value of the Russian rouble and the size of the federal military budget are shrinking, numerous challenges lie ahead of the Russian military industry in the upcoming years.