Both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation use a variety of similar means to obtain foreign technology and expertise. These means run the gamut from sophisticated schemes using front companies, to means as simple as directly procuring a good or technology from the commercial market. The PRC, however, also heavily utilizes university settings and recruitment tactics aimed at attracting expertise to the country in ways in which the Russian Federation is not as active.
Emerging technologies from the commercial world are increasingly setting the pace of military development. Dual use emerging technologies such as drones, advanced semiconductors, and so-called hypersonic flight technologies increasingly find themselves used in militaries. The development of technology is undergirded by international cooperation and inter-connectedness between nations. This trend will continue in the turbulent era in which we now find ourselves. It is vital that industry and government continue to collaborate on licensing and vetting the transfer of technology and expertise to the PRC and Russian Federation. It is likewise vital that companies continue to invest in robust due diligence practices and keep up to date with new trends so that they can recognize and act upon red flags.