Despite the serious growth of the state defense order, the issue of diversifying the activities of military-industrial companies does not lose its relevance. It is necessary to create a practical system of production of civilian products by the defense companies, as well as to further justify it scientifically. To date, the main problems in the diversification of defense companies are methodological, organizational, institutional, and socio-economic ones in nature. The objectives of diversification should correspond to both public public interests and private corporate interests. The authors suggest to create institutional conditions which are in the best interest of the country. These are the following conditions: the formation of a regulatory framework, a special administrative and legal regime, a system of technology transfer and management of intellectual property results, state support, etc.; the creation of a management system that includes three levels (federal, sectoral, companies); improving the quality of life in the territories of the presence of defense industry organizations. It is proposed to begin the development of the necessary regulatory framework by developing a concept for diversifying the activities of military-industrial companies.