A brief Detail about Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

A brief Detail about Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal and voluntary partnership among 35 countries prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying a 500 kg payload for at least 300 km.

Established in April 1987, the voluntary Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other unmanned delivery systems that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks. The regime urges its members,1 which include most of the world’s key missile manufacturers, to restrict their exports of missiles and related technologies capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload at least 300 kilometers or delivering any type of weapon of mass destruction.

The MTCR identifies five factors that members should take into account when evaluating a possible export of controlled items:

• Whether the intended recipient is pursuing or has ambitions for acquiring weapons of mass destruction;
• The purposes and capabilities of the intended recipient’s missile and space programs;
• The potential contribution the proposed transfer could make to the intended recipient’s development of delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction;
• The credibility of the intended recipient’s stated purpose for the purchase; and
• Whether the potential transfer conflicts with any multilateral treaty.

Members Countries:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States.

In addition to formal members, there are “unilateral adherents” to the regime: Israel, Macedonia, Romania, and Slovakia. China’s application for membership remains under review.

Regime Goal:

The regime goal is to limit the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (i.e. nuclear, chemical and biological weapons) by controlling the transfers that could make a contribution to delivery systems (other than manned aircraft) for such weapons.

Regime Guidelines:

The regime guidelines consist of national control laws and procedures; a two-category common control list; information-sharing on any denied cases to ensure no commercial advantage; no impediment to national space programs; presumption of denial of any transfers in terms of nuclear weapon delivery systems development; and no retransfers without authorization.

Equipment and Technology Annex:

Category I items of the Equipment and Technology Annex include complete rocket and unmanned-air-vehicle delivery systems and subsystems. The transfer of Category I items is subject to a strong presumption of denial. The transfer of production technology for Category I items is prohibited.

Category II items include propulsion and propellant components, launch and ground support equipment, as well as the materials for the construction of missiles. The transfer of Category II items is less restricted, but still requires end-use certification or verification where appropriate.