Defence export norms eased: unified OGEL, wider country coverage
India simplifies defence export SOP and OGEL framework, expanding country coverage and cutting procedural burdens for manufacturers.
The Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence has announced a broad set of reforms to streamline the Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Open General Export Licence (OGEL) framework. The changes aim to reduce procedural burdens, speed up access to international markets, and help Indian defence companies respond faster to global opportunities, while keeping national security safeguards intact.
Under the revised export SOP, stakeholder consultation will no longer be required for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations. Sensitive countries will still be subject to appropriate checks. Similarly, consultation has been waived for exports related to international tenders and exhibitions, allowing Indian firms to showcase products and pursue overseas contracts more quickly.
The OGEL, a standing one-time authorisation that lets eligible exporters self-generate permits for multiple consignments, has also been overhauled. Three separate SOPs covering major platforms, parts and components, and intra-company technology transfer have been merged into a single unified framework. The validity of an OGEL has been extended from two years to three, reducing renewal frequency. Coverage has been expanded from 41 countries to all nations except those under UN sanctions, arms embargoes, or on a negative/sensitive list.
A new provision allows Indian companies with long-term contracts or agreements with Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs) to obtain an OGEL for eligible items tied to that specific FOEM, with validity aligned to the underlying contract. The range of items covered under OGEL has also been broadened, including civil-end-use exports of specified small-calibre arms parts and protective equipment.
These reforms are expected to particularly benefit Indian defence manufacturers, including MSMEs, by enabling quicker responses to international tenders, wider market access, and reduced repetitive authorisation requirements. The move comes as defence production hits an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore and exports reach a record Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, reinforcing India's push toward self-reliance and global defence trade.