New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has simplified India’s defence export procedures by reducing consultation requirements, unifying open general licence rules and widening the countries and items covered by the framework.
The reforms apply to the Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure and the Open General Export Licence, known as OGEL. They are intended to reduce repetitive approvals for eligible exporters while retaining restrictions for sensitive equipment, destinations and technologies.
Under the revised export procedure, stakeholder consultation will no longer be required for non-lethal defence items sent to most destinations. Consultation has also been dispensed with for exports of all items meant for international tenders and exhibitions. Safeguards will continue to apply in cases involving sensitive countries or national-security considerations.
The OGEL system is a standing, one-time authorisation that allows eligible companies to generate export permissions for multiple consignments of specified defence products. It avoids the need to seek a separate authorisation for every shipment, subject to the conditions attached to the licence.
Three separate OGEL procedures covering major platforms and equipment, parts and components, and intra-company transfer of technology have now been consolidated into a single framework. The validity of an OGEL has been increased from two years to three years, reducing the frequency with which approved exporters must renew their authorisation.
The geographical scope has also been expanded. Instead of being limited to 41 countries, the framework will apply to all countries other than negative or sensitive destinations and those subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions or arms embargoes. This broadens potential market access while preserving exclusions required for security and international obligations.
A new provision addresses Indian companies working under long-term contracts or agreements with foreign original equipment manufacturers. For eligible items and a specified foreign manufacturer, an open general licence may be aligned with the duration of the underlying contract, subject to prescribed conditions.
The range of products covered has been widened as well. The revised rules permit certain parts and components of small-calibre arms and protective equipment to be exported for civil end use. Such consignments will remain subject to eligibility requirements and the safeguards built into the export-control system.
The changes are expected to help large manufacturers as well as micro, small and medium enterprises respond more quickly to tenders, demonstrate equipment at exhibitions and meet delivery schedules. Smaller suppliers often form part of a wider production chain, and repeated authorisation requirements can affect their ability to compete for time-bound international orders.
The reforms come as India’s defence production and exports have reached new highs. Defence production was valued at ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, while exports reached ₹38,424 crore during the same financial year. The latest licensing changes seek to build on that growth by making legitimate trade easier without removing controls on sensitive transactions.
Implementation will be closely watched by industry because the practical benefit will depend on timely processing, clarity on eligible products and destinations, and consistent compliance by exporters. The revised structure creates a broader facilitation route, but companies will still be responsible for end-use conditions, documentation and adherence to security restrictions.
