Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 28: The Department of Defence Production has introduced a comprehensive set of reforms to simplify the Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Open General Export Licence (OGEL) framework, aimed at making India a more reliable, competitive and trusted global defence manufacturing and export partner.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on Friday, the reforms are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ vision and seek to reduce procedural requirements, speed up access to international markets and help Indian defence companies respond more effectively to global business opportunities, while maintaining necessary national security safeguards.
As part of the changes, stakeholder consultation has been dispensed with for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations. Appropriate safeguards, however, have been retained for sensitive countries.
The consultation requirement has also been removed for exports of all items for international tenders and exhibitions, allowing Indian companies to showcase their products and pursue overseas business opportunities more quickly.
The OGEL is a standing, one-time export authorisation that allows eligible exporters to self-generate export authorisations for multiple consignments of specified defence items without obtaining a separate authorisation for each shipment. The system provides greater flexibility while reducing repetitive procedural requirements.
Under the revised framework, three existing OGEL SOPs covering major platforms and equipment, parts and components, and intra-company transfer of technology have been consolidated into a single unified OGEL SOP.
The validity of the OGEL has also been increased from two years to three years, reducing the frequency of renewals and related compliance requirements.
Its coverage has been expanded from 41 countries to all countries, except negative or sensitive nations and countries facing United Nations Security Council sanctions or arms embargoes.
A new provision has been introduced to facilitate Indian companies having long-term contracts or agreements with Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs). Under the provision, OGEL may be granted for eligible items and the particular FOEM, with its validity aligned with the underlying contract or agreement, subject to prescribed conditions.
The range of items eligible under OGEL has also been expanded. The revised framework permits civil-end-use exports of specified parts and components of small-calibre arms and protective equipment, further widening legitimate international business opportunities for Indian manufacturers.
The government said the measures are expected to particularly benefit Indian defence manufacturers, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), by helping them respond faster to international tenders and exhibitions, access wider global markets and reduce repetitive authorisation requirements.
The reforms come amid strong growth in India’s defence manufacturing and exports. Defence production reached an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore, while defence exports touched a record Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.
The Ministry said the latest measures will further strengthen the momentum of India’s defence manufacturing and export ecosystem.