Russia and NATO: Increased Interaction in Defense Research and Technology (Defense Horizons, Number 49, October 2005)

Abstract

As a member of both the Partnership for Peace and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Russia Council (NRC), Russia enjoys remarkable status in an alliance formed principally to counter Soviet aggression. Active participation in one additional element of NATO the Research and Technology Organization (RTO) would offer unique opportunities to enhance relationships and mutual security. The RTO is the largest organization of its type in the world, has an extremely active program of work, and is eager to work with Russia. Enhanced cooperation between NATO and Russia in defense-related research and technology would not be easy. Mistrust is an obstacle, as is difficulty communicating in English and French, the official NATO languages. Also, Russian economic weakness impedes consistent participation, particularly in events outside Russia. NATO could reach out to Russia, offering sequential, specific opportunities. If NATO vectors toward Russia in this way, Russia must respond by vectoring toward the Alliance. The key here is a more consistent and cooperative representation by Russia in the forums that are available to it. Russian representatives must also become more fluent in English and French to achieve meaningful dialogue. This is especially true at the technical, senior executive levels. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia have much to offer each other in defense-related research and technology. Unfortunately, the pace of cooperation has been erratic and the results uneven. Proactive steps must be taken by both sides. Basic and applied defense-related R&T is relatively nonthreatening to all parties and creates cooperative avenues that can be very significant in a world of asymmetric threats. These activities offer mechanisms to create more significant political and military cooperative ventures as scientific understandings of new phenomena are created and implemented into military operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA450203

Entities

People

  • Donald C. Daniel
  • Michael I. Yarymovych

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Cold War
  • Information Systems
  • Intellectual Property
  • Language
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Military Applications
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Nato
  • Security
  • Simulations
  • Symposia
  • Training
  • Ussr
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies