The Anatomy of Russian Defense Conversion

Contributions from American and Russian experts from academia, the military, government, and business analyze the conversion of the Russian defense industry, the factors limiting the accomplishment of this conversion, and prospects for improving the situation. After discussion of the historical context of the Soviet command economy and its emphasis on the military, 56 papers address topics related to East-West joint ventures, the loss of intellectual capital, environmental aspects, medical and demographic consequences of conversion, former biological warfare facilities, defense conversion in other countries, and international marketing challenges for civilian products. Editor Genin was a chief designer of major USSR defense and civilian enterprises, has been deeply involved in international business development, and is now affiliated with Stanford University and UCLA. Among the contributing authors are William Perry (former US Secretary of Defense), David Holloway (Institute for International Studies, Stanford U.), and Mike Intriligator (Center for International Relations, UCLA). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This collectively authored book was written by an international group of 37 distinguished authors, who bring their special expertise and vision to shed light on the history, major problems, and current dangerous state of conversion of the Russian militarized economy, and to take a brief look ahead.

Almost 30 years ago, my destiny led me to work for the Russian defense industry, where I began my career in research, technical feasibility studies, and the design of high-tech and space enterprises, the flagships of the defense industry. During all those years, I contemplated the phenomenon of this unique, strange, and paradoxical industry, its achievements, and, in particular, the extremely high price that was demanded from its people in order that Russia might gain a leading position in the global arms race. To maintain that leading position, its highest priority, Russia neglected to provide its hardworking population with basic needs, like enough food and clothing.

The promising process of Russian defense conversion, optimistically and earnestly begun in 1988, gradually turned into the usual poorly planned, micromanaged campaign, similar to many abortive campaigns of the Soviet era. Numerous, often contradictory, commands from Moscow demanded the acceleration of the conversion process, when its economic and organizational structure, which was taken from the past, was in no condition to support such efforts. Thus began the accelerating process of "headlong conversion," which led to the catastrophic destruction of the Russian defense industry, formerly not only the producer of enormous arsenals, but also the heart of the country's intellectual capital, particularly its new civilian high technologies.

Russian defense conversion--its history, events, achievements, and failures--is an extremely complicated and broad issue. Over the years, many questions accumulated in my mind, questions to which I could find no answers. Understanding its historical roots, nature, and anatomy, as well as its future prospects, required the dedicated efforts of many experts from different fields.

I consider myself very fortunate to have met, on my life path, the outstanding people, my esteemed colleagues, who became authors of this book. Working with these people inspired me and gave me strength while working on this challenging project. They helped me to find answers to many of my difficult questions, even though sometimes they held very different points of views and opinions. I greatly appreciate their significant contribution to this book. Here are their names: The Honorable William J. Perry, The Honorable Evgeniy I. Shaposhnikov, David Holloway, David M. Bernstein, Marcus W. Feldman, Vagit U. Alekperov, Sonia Ben Ouagrham, Victor I. Danilov-Danil'yan, Larisa V. Genin, Mikhail I. Gerasev, Donald R. Gerth, James E. Goodby, Oleg A. Grinevsky, Randy H. Hamilton, Ward A. Hanson, John H. Hnatio, Michael D. Intriligator, Elena I. Ivanova, Alexei I. Izyumov, Vitaliy L. Katayev, Sergey K. Kolpakov, Leonid Ya. Kosals, Alexander P. Kotov, Evgeniy M. Kozhokin, James E. Meadows, Boris A. Revich, Rozalina R. Ryvkina, Harry Sello, Vitaliy V. Shlykov, Mark I. Shteynberg, Alexey N. Shulunov, Jonathan B. Tucker, Vitaliy Y. Vitebsky, Rem I. Vyakhirev, Arkadiy I. Yarovskiy and Zhanna A. Zaionchkovskaya.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for these people, whose invaluable experience, erudition, and vision brought to life this book, which is dedicated to one of the most important milestones of that very difficult, yet remarkable, Twentieth Century.

I express my deepest gratitude to them.

Dr. Vlad E. Genin General Editor/Contributing Author