New Delhi, Aug 2026 : The Department of Defence Production has introduced a series of reforms aimed at simplifying India’s defence export procedures and expanding the scope of the Open General Export Licence (OGEL), with the objective of making the country a more competitive, reliable and trusted global defence manufacturing and export partner.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the reforms are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ vision and are designed to reduce procedural requirements, accelerate access to overseas markets and enable Indian defence companies to respond more efficiently to international business opportunities while retaining essential national security safeguards.
One of the key changes is the removal of the stakeholder consultation requirement for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations. However, the government has retained appropriate safeguards for sensitive countries and destinations where additional scrutiny may be required.
The consultation requirement has also been eliminated for exports of all eligible items intended for international tenders and exhibitions. The move is expected to allow Indian manufacturers to showcase their capabilities overseas and pursue commercial opportunities without facing unnecessary delays in the approval process.
The government has also streamlined the OGEL framework. An OGEL is a standing, one-time export authorisation that enables eligible exporters to self-generate export authorisations for multiple consignments of specified defence products without securing separate approval for every shipment. The mechanism is intended to provide exporters greater flexibility while reducing repetitive compliance procedures.
Under the revised framework, three separate OGEL Standard Operating Procedures covering major platforms and equipment, parts and components, and intra-company transfers of technology have been consolidated into a single unified OGEL SOP.
The validity period of the OGEL has also been extended from two years to three years. This will reduce the frequency of renewals and ease the associated administrative and compliance burden for exporters.
Another significant change is the expansion of the OGEL's geographical coverage. Previously applicable to 41 countries, the revised framework extends coverage to all countries, except those listed as negative or sensitive destinations, as well as countries facing United Nations Security Council sanctions or arms embargoes.
The government has also introduced a new provision for Indian companies that have entered into long-term contracts or agreements with Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs). Under the revised provision, eligible OGELs may be granted for specified items and a particular FOEM, with the licence validity aligned with the underlying contractual agreement, subject to prescribed conditions.
The scope of products eligible for OGEL has also been widened. The revised framework permits civil-end-use exports of specified parts and components of small-calibre arms and protective equipment, creating additional legitimate international business opportunities for Indian defence manufacturers.
The reforms are expected to particularly benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the defence sector. By reducing repetitive authorisation requirements and speeding up participation in international tenders and exhibitions, the changes could help smaller manufacturers compete more effectively in global markets.
The latest measures come at a time when India's defence manufacturing and export sectors are witnessing strong growth. Defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore, while defence exports touched an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.
The Ministry of Defence said the reforms are expected to further strengthen India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, expand the country's global footprint and support the government's broader objective of establishing India as a major hub for defence production and exports.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
