New Delhi: The Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, has undertaken a comprehensive set of reforms to simplify the defence export SOP and the Open General Export Licence (OGEL) framework.
The reforms are aimed at supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a reliable, competitive and trusted global defence manufacturing and export partner, while advancing the objectives of Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Undertaken under the guidance of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, the revised defence export SOP and OGEL framework seek to reduce procedural requirements, facilitate faster access to international markets and enable Indian defence companies to respond more effectively to global business opportunities.
At the same time, the reforms retain safeguards to ensure that national security considerations remain fully protected.
Defence Export SOP Reforms
As part of the revised defence export SOP, 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 defence export SOP also removes the requirement for stakeholder consultation for exports of all items for international tenders and exhibitions.
This measure is intended to enable Indian defence companies to showcase their products and pursue international business opportunities more expeditiously.
The reforms are designed to reduce routine procedural requirements while maintaining necessary controls for sensitive destinations and defence-related items.
OGEL Framework Simplified
The Open General Export Licence (OGEL) is a standing, one-time export authorisation that enables eligible exporters to self-generate export authorisations for multiple consignments of specified defence items.
This eliminates the need to seek a separate authorisation for each consignment.
The OGEL framework provides exporters with greater flexibility while reducing repetitive procedural requirements.
Alongside the changes to the defence export SOP, the revised OGEL framework introduces several measures to simplify and expand defence exports from India.
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Three OGEL SOPs Consolidated Into One
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 consolidation provides exporters with a common and simpler framework, reducing procedural complexity associated with multiple operating procedures.
OGEL Validity Increased to Three Years
Under the revised framework, OGEL validity has been increased from two years to three years. The extension is aimed at reducing the frequency of renewals and associated compliance requirements for eligible exporters.
The change complements the broader defence export SOP reforms by reducing repetitive administrative requirements for Indian defence companies.
OGEL Coverage Expanded to All Eligible Countries
OGEL coverage has also been expanded from 41 countries to all countries, except negative or sensitive nations and countries facing United Nations Security Council sanctions or arms embargoes.
The wider coverage is intended to provide eligible Indian exporters with greater access to international markets while retaining restrictions for sensitive destinations and countries subject to relevant international sanctions or embargoes.
Provision for Long-Term FOEM Contracts
A new provision has been introduced to facilitate Indian companies that have long-term contracts or agreements with Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs).
Under the revised framework, OGEL may be granted for eligible items and the particular FOEM, with validity aligned with the underlying contract or agreement, subject to prescribed conditions.
This provision forms part of the wider effort to simplify the defence export framework and provide greater flexibility to eligible Indian companies operating through long-term international arrangements.
Wider Range of Items Under OGEL
The range of items covered under OGEL has also been expanded, providing greater flexibility to eligible exporters.
The revised framework permits civil-end-use exports of specified parts and components of small-calibre arms and protective equipment.
This further broadens legitimate international business opportunities for eligible Indian exporters.
The expanded OGEL framework, together with the revised defence export SOP, is intended to make the defence export regime more facilitation-based while retaining safeguards for sensitive items, technologies and destinations.
Reforms to Benefit Indian Defence Manufacturers and MSMEs
The reforms to the defence export SOP and OGEL framework are expected to particularly benefit Indian defence manufacturers, including micro,small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
By reducing routine procedural requirements, the measures are intended to enable Indian companies to respond more quickly to international tenders and exhibitions, access wider global markets and reduce repetitive export authorisation requirements.
The simplified defence export SOP framework is part of the broader effort to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing and export ecosystem and support the country’s objectives of Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
India’s Defence Production and Exports Reach Record Levels
The reforms come as India’s defence production and exports have reached record levels.
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 government’s latest changes to the defence export SOP and OGEL framework further strengthen the momentum of India’s defence manufacturing and export ecosystem by seeking to reduce procedural requirements, widen legitimate international market access and facilitate faster responses to global business opportunities.
The revised framework continues to retain appropriate safeguards for sensitive items, technologies and destinations, balancing export facilitation with national security considerations.
