Defence Ministry Simplifies Export Rules to Speed Up Global Market Access
India's Defence Ministry has streamlined export and licensing procedures, expanding OGEL coverage and validity to boost defence exports.
The Defence Ministry has announced a significant overhaul of its export and licensing procedures, aiming to give Indian defence manufacturers faster access to global markets. The revised Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) removes the need for stakeholder consultation with other ministries and government agencies for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations, though safeguards remain in place for sensitive countries. The requirement has also been waived for items exported for international tenders and exhibitions, enabling companies to participate in overseas opportunities more quickly.
A key part of the reform is the revamped Open General Export Licence (OGEL) framework, which provides eligible exporters a standing, one-time authorisation to ship multiple consignments of specified defence items without seeking separate approval for each consignment. The three existing OGEL SOPs covering major platforms, parts and components, and intra-company technology transfers have been consolidated into a single framework.
The validity of an OGEL has been extended from two to three years, and its country coverage has been broadened from 41 nations to all countries except those on negative or sensitive lists, and those facing United Nations Security Council sanctions or arms embargoes.
A new provision allows Indian companies with long-term contracts with foreign original equipment manufacturers (FOEMs) to obtain an OGEL for eligible items tied to that specific FOEM, with validity aligned to the underlying agreement. The list of eligible items has also been expanded to include civil-end-use exports of specified parts and components of small-calibre arms and protective equipment.
These measures are designed to reduce routine procedural requirements while maintaining safeguards for sensitive items, technologies, and destinations. The ministry stated the reforms will particularly benefit Indian defence manufacturers, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), by enabling faster responses to international tenders and reducing repetitive authorisation burdens. The changes come as India's defence production hit a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, with exports reaching an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore.