The article provides a systematic analysis of the economy as a type of economic activity and the basis for the development of partnership. New approaches to development management based on new economic thinking are outlined. First of all, this concerns the positioning of Ukraine in the global world as an agrarian, industrial or intellectual economy. It is proved that Ukraine is characterized by the integrated development of industry, science, production, agriculture and intellectual potential. From this it follows that a new system has been formed in the country and requires further development - the industrial-intellectual economy. The essence of this system of engineering and defense industry is noted. The organizational and economic mechanism of their adaptation to the conditions of the new system based on the processes of clustering and development of production relations is proposed.