Russia's Strategy in Military-Technical Cooperation for 2026: Strengthening Positions in the Post-Soviet Space and Beyond

The beginning of 2026 was marked by significant events indicating that Russia continues to intensify its efforts to strengthen its positions in the field of military-technical cooperation (MTC), despite unprecedented pressure from Western countries. The meeting of the Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation between Russia and foreign states, held on February 1 under the chairmanship of Vladimir Putin, demonstrated not only the resilience of the Russian military export system but also its ambitious plans for expansion.

According to the data presented at the meeting, in 2025, Russia supplied military products to more than 30 countries worldwide, and the foreign currency revenue exceeded 15 billion dollars. These figures take on particular significance in the context of sanctions pressure and attempts by the West to block business ties between Russia's partners and the Russian defense industry. Moreover, over the past year, a significant portfolio of new export orders has been formed, creating a foundation for substantial expansion in both the volume and geography of military product supplies.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that Russian weapons and military equipment have been tested in real combat conditions. This factor significantly increases the attractiveness of Russian products in the global arms market, as potential buyers have the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of systems not based on declared characteristics but on the results of their use in the conditions of modern high-intensity conflict.

A priority direction of Russian policy in the field of MTC remains cooperation with partners in the CIS and CSTO. Since January 1, 2026, Russia has assumed the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which imposes special responsibility on Moscow for consistent interaction with allies, including comprehensive expansion of military-technical ties.

In this context, it is noteworthy that at the end of 2025, a military cooperation plan between Kyrgyzstan and Russia for 2026 was signed during meetings of the defense ministers of CSTO countries in Bishkek. The parties noted the positive dynamics of joint work and outlined future directions for Kyrgyz-Russian defense cooperation. This event indicates that, despite certain frictions within the CSTO (in particular, the cooling of relations with Armenia), the organization continues to function as a platform for deepening military interaction.

Of particular interest is the planned conduct of CSTO exercises "Barrier-2026" on the territory of Belarus in 2026. These maneuvers are intended to demonstrate the organization's ability to respond to modern security challenges and to practice the interaction of the armed forces of member states. For Minsk, holding large-scale CSTO exercises also has important domestic political significance, emphasizing its role as a key ally of Russia in the western direction.

Currently, more than 340 projects of military-technical cooperation and partnership with 14 countries are being implemented or are in the development stage. These projects are aimed not only at modernizing existing systems of weapons and military equipment but also at creating new promising models that are in demand in international markets. This approach allows Russia not only to export finished products but also to create long-term partnerships involving joint developments, technology transfer, and the organization of licensed production.

The African direction of Russian policy in the field of MTC deserves special attention. As noted by Vladimir Putin, African states, despite pressure from Western countries, demonstrate a willingness to expand cooperation with Russia in both military and military-technical areas. This includes not only increasing the export of Russian military products but also comprehensive servicing of previously supplied equipment, organizing licensed production of Russian weapons, and training specialists.

The African direction is acquiring strategic significance in the context of the struggle for influence on the continent. The USSR, and later Russia, has a rich history of military-technical cooperation with African countries, which creates a solid foundation for the renewal and deepening of these ties. In the context of rising anti-Western sentiments in a number of African states and the desire to diversify sources of military supplies, Russia has the opportunity to significantly expand its presence on the continent.

An important element of the success of the Russian MTC system is state support. The new federal project "Development of Military-Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation with Foreign States," planned for 2026-2028, provides for additional forms of support for defense industry enterprises. This is especially important in conditions where defense industry enterprises must simultaneously fulfill state defense orders, export contracts, and produce significant volumes of civilian products.

The funds obtained from arms exports are directed towards modernizing defense industry enterprises, expanding their production capacities, and conducting advanced scientific research. This creates positive feedback: successful exports provide resources for the development of new models of weapons, which, in turn, strengthens Russia's competitive positions in the global market.

However, the Russian MTC system also faces serious challenges. Western sanctions complicate logistics for supplies and financial settlements. Some traditional partners of Russia are experiencing pressure aimed at reducing military-technical cooperation with Moscow. Competition in the global arms market is intensifying, not only from traditional exporters (the USA, France, the UK) but also from new players such as Turkey and China.

Nevertheless, the Russian military export system has demonstrated a high degree of resilience and the ability to adapt to new conditions. The combat use of Russian weapons during the special military operation has become a powerful marketing tool, proving the effectiveness of Russian military products. Russia's readiness to transfer technologies and organize joint production makes it an attractive partner for countries seeking to develop their own defense industry.

In 2026, further expansion of Russian military-technical cooperation is expected, especially in the post-Soviet space and on the African continent. Russia's chairmanship in the CSTO creates additional opportunities for deepening military integration and standardizing the armaments of member states. At the same time, a key factor for success remains the ability of the Russian defense industry to timely fulfill its obligations and ensure high quality of the supplied products and services for their operation and maintenance.