Ministry eases norms for defence exports, licences

The Defence Ministry has simplified export and licensing norms to help Indian defence manufacturers access global markets faster.

Under the revised Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), stakeholder consultation [with Ministries and government agencies concerned] has been dispensed with for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations. Safeguards, however, will continue to apply to sensitive countries. The requirement has also been removed for exports of all items for international tenders and exhibitions, allowing Indian companies to participate in overseas opportunities more expeditiously.

The Ministry’s Department of Defence Production has also overhauled the Open General Export Licence (OGEL) framework, which provides eligible exporters a standing, one-time authorisation to self-generate export authorisations for multiple consignments of specified defence items without seeking separate approval for every shipment.

Three existing OGEL SOPs covering major platforms and equipment, parts and components, and intra-company transfer of technology have been consolidated into a single framework.