Politics Versus Economics: The Evolution of Russia’s International Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Aerospace Sector in the 21^st Century

   The article dwells on the evolution of Russia’s international scientific and technological cooperation in relation to foreign policy factors. It focuses on aerospace cooperation: civil aviation, hypersonic technologies, missiles, and space activities. The study examines theoretical approaches to scientific and technical, military and technological cooperation, including the proliferation of advanced military and dual-use technologies, as well as the forms and mechanisms of cooperation. Particular attention is paid to export control and its transformation from the gradual expansion of non-proliferation regimes to “friendly proliferation” among allies. The first part of the paper examines the structure and dynamics of Russia’s scientific and technical cooperation through general statistical indicators. The descriptive analysis is based on the data on arms and military equipment exports. The second part of the article analyzes specific projects in the context of the changing political environment. It also focuses on the transformation of Russia’s scientific and technological system after 2014 and 2022: the curtailment of cooperation with Western countries and the intensification of interaction with non-Western partners. Sanctions, import substitution, and technology localization are also scrutinized, as well as the dynamics of Russia’s military and technical cooperation in the aerospace sector. The article notes the increasing role of non-state actors and cooperation within BRICS. The conclusion is made about the significant influence of world politics on the implementation of international high-tech projects, as well as the dynamic nature of changes in such projects. Further research directions are outlined.

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