Even as the 1980s died, nobody could imagine that Soviet companies would co-operate with the West in the civil-aerospace sphere, let alone the military one. The concept of the West investing in the military technology of the nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is still extraordinary, but the continuation of work on several new technologies developed in the former USSR now depends completely on joint East/West programmes and the injection of outside investment.

The first one is the Yakovlev Yak-141 Freestyle supersonic advanced short takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) carrier fighter. The Freestyle, for which a Western partner is in prospect, is expected to be displayed for the first time at this year's Farnborough air show. According to Alexander Dondukov, Yakovlev's general designer, Government funding for the programme was cancelled a year and a half ago.

Dondukov says: "If we lost this programme, it would be the loss of our company's indigenous piece of cake. We continued development using our own resources. Now, I hope that we have found a very serious partner already, co-operating with which we can go further in the development." Dondukov declines to name the partner yet.

When asked about the possibilities of co-operation with British Aerospace on the advanced STOVL project, Dondukov comments that "...we contacted BAe and found the way to exchange information first of all on the ejection system, as it means pilots' safety". Recalling history, Dondukov continues: "Britain and Russia never were indifferent to each other; we always interacted in some way, although sometimes our relations were complex. This makes me think that we have a possibility and ground to combine our efforts in the [STOVL] field. Certainly, our company would like to take part in a joint effort of this sort."

Such a project inevitably would cause controversy in military circles on both sides, but Dondukov comments: "I do not see any possible obstacles here regarding the airframe development. As for weapons systems - this could be specifically restricted by both sides. I think that both their and our military will be interested in such an alliance."

This statement is backed by Col Gen Anatoliy Malyukov, who is the chief-of-staff of the Russian air force. Malyukov says: "I accept the possibility of joint development and manufacture of modern military aircraft with foreign companies; for example, military transports, trainers and other types. We do not exclude the technical co-operation of our design bureaux in several advanced projects, including the European EFA [European Fighter Aircraft] programme, the American Advanced Tactical Fighter and the [National] Aerospace plane."

Sharp defence cuts are about to shipwreck many famous companies in the military-industrial complex, which are struggling to find their way to a safe harbour through the stormy seas of konversiya. Sometimes, unusual agreements help. One of these was signed by Mikoyan and Dassault for the manufacture of tailplanes for Dassault's Falcons 50, 90 and 2000 by the Russian manufacturer. The first set will be shipped to France later this year and Mikoyan's first deputy general designer, Anatoliy...