Defense Industry Research Articles

Changing relationships between armaments production and exports and state defense expenditures

The present study is relevant, because in different countries of the world in recent years there have been ambiguous dynamics among armaments and military equipment production and exports and changes in state defense expenditures. Modern geopolitical conflicts distort the existing picture of interrelations between the above parameters, and the article assesses their changes. In particular, as the study result, the underlying hypotheses on the relationships between supply and demand in the global market of armaments and military equipment have been formulated. The key countries analysis showed that the dynamics of indicators in them is determined by different reasons, but the author came to the conclusion that the main factors of changes in the trends of armaments production and exports and defense expenditures are the following: the expansion of illegal circulation of armaments and military equipment in some countries, increased vulnerability of some countries and their direct involvement in military-political conflicts, as well as differentiation of countries’ approaches to national security, which causes different attention to defense capabilities and the defense industry development. At the same time, there are almost always sharp changes and volatility of the indicators under consideration during the periods when a country is in the stage of industrialization or transition to a new technological mode.

Drivers and Impact of European Defence Market Integration: A Literature Meta-Synthesis with Economic Focus

ABSTRACT The Ukraine war, the aftermath of COVID-19, Brexit and shifting US geostrategic interests are putting pressure on the European defence situation, strategy and budgets. The current crises expose warfare capability gaps in the European armed forces and capacity constraints of the European defence industry after decades of the peace dividend. More nations are calling for stronger engagement of the EU in the defence sector to overcome these challenges and complete the European defence sector integration that started in the late 1990s. It is estimated that more cooperation in defence procurement and research could save up to 30% of the current €290 bn total EU27 defence budgets. Can this combination of recent factors provide new impulses towards a unified European defence market, more cooperation on defence procurement and industry consolidation? We conducted a literature review (‘meta-synthesis’) of 172 journal articles, studies and think-tank papers since 1995 to build a holistic picture. The analysis aims to describe the progress and challenges of European defence market integration from an economic viewpoint. It provides future researchers with a basic understanding of defence industrial challenges, motivations and economic drivers of European defence integration as well as of reasons for resistance and potential scenarios.

Defence sector and military cooperation between Turkey and the Central Asian Republics: limitations and prospects amidst intensified regional and global rivalry

ABSTRACT Recent Turkey-Central Asian Republic integration attempts are notable. Regular visits, Turkic World summits, economic steps to build a cooperative development bank, defense procurement, and regional policy collaboration have driven this trend. China's Bridge and Road Initiative, NATO's exit from Afghanistan, the Taliban's ascent, and the Russian elite's use of the “Russkiy Mir” after the Russo-Ukrainian War make the “Turkic world” geopolitically vital. Global and regional power struggles will make the region's natural resources and strategic location more important in coming decades. Turkey-Central Asia defense cooperation may also shape the region. This study aims to determine if Turkey-region defense cooperation improves Turkic integration. The states utilize regional military ties and diverse tools for regional and global objectives. The probe will begin with “Turkic integration” and recent Turkish defense industry achievements, then regional defense ties. Finally, a comparative analysis will reveal regional integration constraints and potential, focusing on defense cooperation.

The Role and Dynamics of Actor Relations in Implementing Defense Industry-Based Policies: A Comparative Study of Indonesia and Brazil

This study explores the role and dynamics of actor relations in implementing defense industry-based policies through a comparative analysis of Indonesia and Brazil. The aim is to understand how key actors—government bodies, military institutions, state-owned enterprises, private companies, and international partners—affect policy execution and defense industry outcomes in both countries. Employing qualitative research methods with secondary data sources, the study examines the contributions and interactions of these actors as detailed in the provided table. The findings reveal that Indonesia relies heavily on state control and international partnerships for technology transfer, while Brazil integrates private sector innovation and diverse international collaborations. Key differences include Indonesia’s centralized approach versus Brazil’s market-oriented model, with implications for policy alignment and capability development. The conclusions emphasize the importance of effective communication and stakeholder alignment to address challenges such as misalignment between military needs and industrial capabilities. Recommendations for both countries include enhancing collaboration and technology transfer, managing internal conflicts, and optimizing resource allocation.

Comparisons between basalt for continuous fiber and ordinary basalt.

Continuous basalt fiber (CBF) is a novel, green and eco-friendly material drawn with basalt, featuring exceptional properties such as high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and superior strength. It finds extensive applications in various fields including defense and military industry, aviation and aerospace, construction and bridges. Basalt is the most widely distributed aluminosilicate volcanic rock on Earth. However, not all basalts are suitable for the stable CBF production due to the variations in composition and structure across different regions, which result in differences in the crystallization characteristics of basalt melts that impact the stability and continuity of the wire drawing process. Therefore, investigating the crystallization characteristics of basalt glass melt holds significant value for CBF production. This paper focuses on the various types of high-quality basalt for CBF and ordinary basalt in China. They were melted at a temperature of 1450 °C for 1 h, followed by cooling in the furnace and quenching with water, resulting in the preparation of 18 pieces of basalt glasses. The basalt glasses were characterized using DSC, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDS and polarizing microscope techniques. The research findings suggest that: (1) The chemical compositions of high-quality basalt for CBF do not exhibit significant differences from that of ordinary basalt; (2) All the basalt glasses quenched with water produced from high-quality basalt for CBF and ordinary basalt exhibit an amorphous phase, uniform glass structure, and enhanced melting behavior at this temperature; (3) In the furnace-cooled process, the glasses from high-quality basalt for CBF lacks any crystalline phase while the glasses from ordinary basalt display varying degrees of crystallization primarily due to cooling-induced crystallization. This work holds great significance for evaluating and screening the basalt raw materials for CBF.

Machine Learning (ML) in aerospace and defense (A&D) industries: a systematic literature review

In recent years, Machine Learning (ML) has made significant technical progress due to increasedavailability of larger data sets, more powerful computing performance, and greater budget allocations. However, ethical, political, and societal implications relate to successful and global implementation of ML in Aerospace and Defense (A&D) environments. Such challenges could result in unpredictability or inexplicability of the ML-enabled operation. This study provides a systematic review of published material on ML methods, limitations, and current and potential applications of ML in A&D. Records from 2012 to 2021 were found using multiple databases and showed ample research in missions changing from manned to semi-autonomous or autonomous; specifically in areas related to surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics, intelligence, and command and control. The results also emphasize the implementation of ML is deemed both threatening and promising.

Development of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites: A Critical Review

AbstractFiber reinforced composites are made by reinforcing fibers in a polymeric matrix and shaping them to fit. Natural fibers, on the other hand, such as jute sisal, hemp, flax etc. are increasingly commonly utilized as reinforcements and perform similarly to artificial fibers. Man‐made fibers like as carbon, glass, and kevlar are utilized as reinforcements in the start and have shown to be the best in terms of characteristics, reinforcing capacity, and usefulness. Research investigations also show that when man‐made and natural reinforcements are combined in a hybrid form, the composite characteristics increase significantly. The composite material obtains all of the better qualities of individual fibers as a result of this combination, and when the composite is subjected to varying loads, each fiber gives its own maximal resistance. The chemical and physical properties are further enhanced by including particular reinforcements into polymer matrix composites, which provide whole new features (which has transformed the aerospace, marine, defence, and automobile industry). As a result, the composite would be better in all attributes. The current study provides a thorough examination of the different challenges concerning the synthesis and mechanical characterization of natural fiber reinforces hybrid polymer composites. Future difficulties, as well as areas of use for polymer matrix composites, have been investigated that may aid in the elimination of plastic waste and the reduction of environmental pollution.

A Mini Review Of Modern Composites For Advanced Applications

The field and scope of composites is constantly widening with the introduction of new materials and manufacturing technologies. Unknown properties of different engineering, non-engineering and bio-materials are regularly explored for the development of modern composites that show immense potential in future for applications in domestic, automotive, defence and aerospace industries. Some fundamental aspects, processing techniques, properties and applications of such composites are reviewed in the paper

Позиции Республики Корея и Японии по институционализации военно-политического сотрудничества в Азиатско-Тихоокеанском регионе

The article analyzes the current stance of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan on the institutionalization of defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, provides the assessment of the prospects for the US-ROK-Japan triangle institutionalization, as well as the assessment of the prospects for the possible accession of Japan and South Korea to the AUKUS agreement. Drawing from the strategic documents of Tokyo and Seoul in the field of security, as well as joint statements and other official information materials of the United States and its partners in the Asia-Pacific region, the author comes to the conclusion that the announced "Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework" of the United States – South Korea – Japan will be poorly formalized, and the main area of cooperation within this framework will be the exchange of intelligence data and monitoring of the military activity of the DPRK. The Memorandum of Cooperation concluded in July 2024 has primarily an ideological significance and is intended to create a precedent for formalizing military cooperation in a trilateral format. The potential entry of the ROK and Japan into AUKUS also has its problems. Through the license-free AUKUS arms trade ecosystem, Japan potentially can be able to develop its own defense industry and gain a foothold as an arms exporter. On the contrary, for South Korea, which is already an established exporter of military equipment and weapons, this would be a potential risk and the possibility of losing its acquired positions in Australia and other markets. Nevertheless, the prospect for both parties joining AUKUS is real, and cooperation within this multilateral format can also be of a weakly formalized nature, reduced to work on a number of joint projects, mainly in high-tech areas with the ultimate goal of developing common technological and legal standards.

Reinforcement learning in autonomous defense systems: Strategic applications and challenges

Reinforcement learning (RL) is one of the most progressive ways to improve the efficiency of drones and robotic systems in the context of the defense and security industries. In Anomaly Detection (AD) systems, this paper discusses the potential of RL as a Model Selection Criteria (MSC) method and its associated issues. RL algorithms enable such systems to adapt to and learn from interactions with their environment, optimizing their response to complex and dynamic threats. This way, new states may be introduced with better decision-making processes, improving the effectiveness of the operations and enabling Reinforcement learning -powered systems to learn new scenarios as well as perform detailed defensive actions in a real-time context. The importance of RL in national defense can therefore be said to lie in its capacities for changing how threats are identified, how threats are responded to, and even what strategies of defense are thought of. Self-governing systems that incorporate Reinforcement learning are capable of functioning in an unpredictable environment, evaluating threats correctly, and carrying out defensive measures with the help of people practically at all. This versatility is critical in modern warfare because a preferred option is the right response to threats that were unknown a few years ago. However, incorporating RL into autonomous defense systems is not without big challenges. Some important problem areas are improved stability and accuracy of RL algorithms in various and critical situations, the legal and practical consequences of autonomous decision-making and possible threats that can arise due to adversarial manipulation of learning algorithms. In addition, such systems have to be developed and put into practice under national and international standards to meet certain requirements and build confidence in such applications. This paper explores these strategic uses and issues and presents a detailed overview of how RL can improve independent defense functionalities, as well as the significant problems relating to this approach. Thus, by providing case studies and theoretical analysis, it aims to demonstrate that RL has the potential to define the technological development of defense and benefit national security systems in the context of a growing threat.

DETERMINATION THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NANO CARBON, GRAPHITE AND GRAPHENE REINFORCED RECYCLING POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITE SAMPLES

Polymer-based plastic materials occupy a major place in daily life. However, due to the nature of polymer materials, low thermal resistance and mechanical properties of these products, the need for new and sustainable materials in the industry has increased. With the rapid technological developments in advanced manufacturing industries such as aviation, marine, motor sports and defence industry, lightweight and high-strength composite products have become even more important. In this context, in this study, 1% carbon, graphene and graphite particle reinforced Polypropylene (PP) composite material mixed in a twin-screw extruder and MA/G series injection moulding machine standard tensile test sample produced. Melt Flow Index (MFI), Heat Deformation Test (HDT), tensile test, Shore-D hardness measurement and density tests performed on these test samples. According to the results obtained from these tests, the mechanical and thermal properties of the test samples produced from different composite materials were determined. The best mechanical and thermal properties occurred in the graphene particle. It formed in graphite and carbon, respectively.

Synthesis and Characterization of Recycled-TiC Reinforced AlZnMgCu Powder Metallurgy Composites.

Recycling's value in conserving scarce resources, avoiding environmental damage to the land, and reducing energy consumption is well known. This research aims to develop a composite that uses recycled reinforcement that was formed through an in situ method to build confidence in the usage of recycled materials. Thus, in connection with defense and aerospace industry applications, aluminum composite alloys receive more interest due to their light weight and high strength with improved mechanical properties; therefore, this research focuses on the fabrication of in situ-developed recycled TiC (r-TiC)-reinforced AlZnMgCu composites, i.e., new recycled materials. Experiments were conducted to determine the synthesized composites' microstructural, mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties. The microstructural study showed that r-TiC was distributed uniformly along the grain boundaries until the addition of 12% r-TiC. However, the accumulation of reinforcements began at 14% r-TiC addition and became more aggregated with subsequent increases in the percentage addition of r-TiC. The mechanical and tribological tests showed that the composite with 14% r-TiC was superior to all other compositions, with 60% improved mechanical qualities and the lowest wear rate of 0.0007 mm3/m. Composites containing 2% r-TiC showed the best corrosion resistance, an increase of 22% over AlZnMgCu, without reinforcement.

DO NORTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES DOMINATE THE CONFLICT IN WORLD?EVIDENCE FROM BENOIT HYPOTHESIS

In recent years, it has been observed that the scope of globalization has increased the need for security as well as the world borders removed. The fact that countries are rapidly developing their defense industries shows that they consider this situation normal. The validity of the Benoit Hypothesis, which emphasizes that increases in defense expenditures will positively affect economic growth, was discussed for the period 1988-2022, and an interregional analysis was made in this study. Evidence supporting the Benoit Hypothesis has been obtained only in the USA, which allocates the highest share to defense expenditures. According to the findings, growth is not affected when defense expenditures are increased, but economic growth decreases when defense expenditures are reduced. The results obtained in this study, which includes interregional analysis, provide comprehensive information and it is thought that country groups that make defense expenditures in order to generate income from the defense industry have emerged and this will provide important evidence in world politics.

O PAPEL DAS COMPRAS PÚBLICAS EM DEFESA COMO O NOVO VETOR DE DESENVOLVIMENTO NACIONAL

This article discusses the importance of the defense industry as a driver of innovation and economic growth in the country. With the intensification of geopolitical challenges and the need to modernize the Armed Forces, Brazil has invested in acquisitions that encourage research and technological development. The proposed research analyzes how these strategic public purchases can not only strengthen military capacity, but also stimulate national industry, generating skilled jobs and promoting technology transfer. Collaboration between the government and the private sector is essential to maximize the benefits of these acquisitions, allowing technological advances to have a positive impact on various sectors such as health, energy and transport. In addition, these defense acquisitions can serve as an industrial policy tool, guiding investments in priority areas and contributing to the country's strategic autonomy. In this context, the research aims to demonstrate how defense acquisitions and orders are an essential vector for economic and technological development, with the potential to transform industrial capacity and national competitiveness in a global scenario.

Digital Transformation of Organizations and Their Organizational Cultures: A Case Study in a National Defense Industry

Digital transformation is essential for organizations to gain a competitive edge in today’s fast-changing environment. It involves a radical shift in products, services, people, and processes to enhance performance, posing a significant challenge. This paper explores digital transformation within a national defense company, which already upholds high-quality standards and a strong culture—key factors in facilitating digital transformation. The literature on organizational digital transformation and its benefits is reviewed, and the digitalization process is analyzed to outline the steps needed for transformation. A crucial prerequisite is cultivating an adaptive, high-performance culture, which requires assessing the current organizational state and implementing necessary actions. This paper presents an assessment of the company and proposes actions for cultural and digital transformation. The inextricable link between digital transformation and organizational culture change is highlighted, along with the benefits, barriers, and strategic proposals for digital strategy, vision, and mission.

Factors Affecting the Business Efficiency of Enterprises Under the Vietnam General Department of Defence Industry

Enterprises under the General Department of Defense Industry (GDDI) play an important role in the defense industry of Vietnam, yet so far their business operations has had low efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the factors affecting the business efficiency of GDDI enterprises, thereby having timely solutions for the new political and economic situation of the country. Previous studies have only focused on individual GDDI enterprises of different scale and resources and haven't been able to come up with a systemic solution. This article fills the gaps of previous studies by identifying factors affecting the business efficiency of GDDI enterprises between 2016 and 2021. By using quantitative research and linear regression model, the author identified factors affecting the business efficiency of GDDI enterprises and gave recommendations of financial solutions to improve business efficiency for these enterprises.

Advances in nanomaterials as exceptional fillers to reinforce carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers composites and their emerging applications

AbstractCarbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites exhibit excellent characteristics such as light weight, high specific strength, specific stiffness, and chemical stability, making them customizable to meet the specific demands of various sectors such as the automotive, aerospace, defense, biomedical, and energy industries. However, the inert surface of carbon fibers (CFs) results in a poor interface compatibility with polymer matrices, leading to numerous interfacial defects and pores in prepared CFRP composites. These drawbacks significantly limit the application of CFRP composites in high‐end fields. The higher surface area and smaller size of nanomaterials provide multiple advantages for high‐performance CFRP composites that enhance the mechanical properties, impact resistance and interface adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. Hence, this review firstly summarizes the interfacial behavior and interface enhancement mechanisms for CFRP composites. Subsequently, we comprehensively review the recent advances in various nanomaterials‐modified CFRP composites, including carbon‐based nanoparticles, silicon‐based nanomaterials and metal nanomaterials, et al. Besides, we also present the applications of CFRP in emerging fields, such as military, aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, and medical, etc. Finally, we also prospected the challenges and future development trends of CFRP composites, aiming to provide new ideas and insights for future research on nanomaterial modifications and promote the development of high‐performance CFRP composites.Highlights The interface reinforced theory of CFRP is comprehensively summarized. Different types of nanoparticles that can be used for reinforcement in CFRP composites and nanomaterials modification methods are reviewed. Application of CFRP composites in various fields is presented. Challenges and future development directions of preparation of high‐performance CFRP composites are proposed.

A Number of Solutions to Improve the Business Efficiency of Enterprises under the Vietnam General Department of Defence Industry

Studying a number of solutions to improve the business efficiency of enterprises under the Vietnam General Department of Defense Industry (GDDI enterprises). The research sample is the statistics of 22 enterprises under the General Department of Defense Industry in the period from 2016 to 2021. By combining qualitative and quantitative research, the author has proposed a number of solutions to improve the efficiency of the enterprises: (i) effective use of financial leverage in GDDI enterprises, (ii) development of a strategy for loan utilization in accordance with the business strategies of GDDI enterprises, and (iii) perfection of the management apparatus.

Research Progress on Rolling Forming of Tungsten Alloy.

Tungsten is a metal with many unique characteristics, such as a high melting point, high hardness, high chemical stability, etc. It is widely used in high-end manufacturing, new energy, the defense industry, and other fields. However, tungsten also has room-temperature brittleness, recrystallization brittleness, and other shortcomings due to the adjustment of the composition and organizational structure, such as the addition of alloying elements, adjusting the phase ratio, the use of heat treatment and deformation strengthening, etc. Its performance can be improved to meet the requirements for use in different fields. At present, the main production method of tungsten alloy is powder metallurgy. The use of a rolling open billet rotary forging-stretching process can improve production efficiency and product quality, but in actual production, due to the combined effects of various factors, such as elastic deformation of rolling elements, plastic deformation of the rolled material, etc., the mechanical properties of tungsten plates and bars are often difficult to control effectively, seriously affecting rolling stability and production efficiency. For this reason, researchers have conducted extensive and deep research and optimization on the rolling process of tungsten alloys, including establishing mathematical models, performing numerical simulations, optimizing process parameters, etc., providing important references for the rolling and forming of tungsten alloys. Meanwhile, the material properties are greatly influenced by the microstructure, and the evolution of the microstructure can be well quantified by some advanced characterization techniques, such as SEM, TEM, EBSD, etc., so that certain properties of tungsten can be obtained by controlling the texture evolution. In conclusion, this paper comprehensively summarizes the research progress of tungsten alloy roll forming and provides an important reference for further improving the processing performance and production efficiency of tungsten alloy.

Critical success factors for implementing Industry 4.0 in Aerospace and Defense: A systematic literature review

In recent years, technologies have made significant progress due to the increased availability of larger data sets, more powerful computing performance, and more significant budget allocations. However, many implications and concerns about the successful global implementation of Aerospace and Defense Industry 4.0 solutions remain. This study systematically reviews published Industry 4.0 studies in Aerospace and Defense articles to understand the critical components to implement smart technologies successfully. The review also included investigating Industry 4.0 definitions, technologies, implementation factors, and empirical studies using Industry 4.0 solutions in Aerospace and Defense. The study found records from 2015 to 2022 using multiple databases. The findings indicate ample research in organizations working toward digital transformation and model-based engineering, specifically in manufacturing, research and development, logistics, surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, and command and control. The results also emphasize the need for empirical evidence related to implementing Industry 4.0 and additional research on Industry 4.0 in Aerospace and Defense settings. The literature review includes a bibliometric analysis to assess the maturity of the topics and articles and a thematic analysis to investigate the critical success factors identified in the literature.