MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime)

MTCR Overview:

What is MTCR?

The MTCR stands for the Missile Technology Control Regime. MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) is a multilateral weapon export control regime. It is an informal international group to control the risk of proliferation of missile and missile technology. The MTCR does not impose any legally binding obligations on member countries.

Formation of MTCR:

The MTCR was founded by the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.) in April 1987. The MTCR was created to control the spread of nuclear weapon delivery systems (missiles) which, can carry a payload of 500 kg for a distance of 300 km.

On 2nd July 1992, At the annual meeting of MTCR in Oslo, it was decided to include nonproliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for all weapons of mass destruction.

Members of the MTCR:

Currently, the MTCR has 35 member states. India is the newest member of MTCR, joined MTCR in 2016.

Australia	Argentina
Brazil	Japan
Canada	Austria
Bulgaria	Czech Republic
France	India
Denmark	Finland
Greece	Hungary
Iceland	Ireland
Poland	Netherlands
Ukraine

Belgium	South Korea
South Africa	Turkey
The United Kingdom	Russia
The United States	Italy
Germany
Luxembourg	Switzerland
New Zealand	Norway
Portugal	Sweden
Spain

Objectives of the MTCR:

The main objective of the MTCR is to control the spread of nuclear weapon delivery systems (missiles and UAVs) which, can carry a payload of 500 kg for a distance of 300 km.

MTCR Headquarters:

The MTCR does not have any headquarters till now as this is an informal political understanding among 35 members.

India and the MTCR:

India became a full member of MTCR in June 2016. India is an active member of the Missile Technology Control Regime. As a member of MTCR, now India can get access to high-end missile technology from friendly countries. Now India can develop high range Brahmos missiles because till now it was restricted to develop the missile more than 300 km range with the partnership of a friendly country. India is developing a high range Brahmos supersonic missile with a Russian partnership.