Military industry and technology transfer: civilian application of military innovations

Technology transfer from the military to the civilian sector represents a key mechanism of technological progress that transforms military innovations into civilian products and services, generating significant economic value and contributing to solving societal challenges. This article analyzes the scope, nature, and economic significance of dual-use technology transfer in a global context, with a special focus on the period of intensive technological changes from 2019 to 2023. The research employs a mixed methodological approach that combines quantitative analysis of dual-use patents from USPTO, EPO, and WIPO databases with qualitative analysis of institutional frameworks and financial indicators of companies active in military technology transfer. Patent data were analyzed through the lens of sectoral distribution, geographical patterns, and temporal trends, applying statistical methods to identify key success factors. Results show exponential growth in transfer in the analyzed period, with the ICT sector dominating at approximately 35% of total transfers, followed by the medical sector (approximately 26%) which showed the greatest acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The identified economic value of transfer reached 48.3 billion euros globally in 2023, with geographical concentration in the USA, EU, and growing participation of China. Transport and logistics show the most dynamic growth, indicating emergent transfer areas related to autonomous systems. The article is intended for policymakers in innovation and defense, executives in military and civilian industry, academic researchers dealing with technology transfer, as well as investors interested in dual-use technologies. The findings have practical implications for designing institutional frameworks, optimizing transfer mechanisms, and identifying future investment priorities in the context of growing technological competition.