What is the defense export protocol?

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has defended India’s legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade, stating that it continues to guide overseas commercial ventures.

• The MEA responded to a U.S. media report claiming that Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) supplied items sourced from a British firm to Russia.

• The MEA argued that the Indian entity mentioned in the report has followed all its international obligations on strategic trade controls and end-user commitments.

• The primary objective of strategic trade controls/export controls is to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems, as well as the uncontrolled transfer of conventional arms/military items.

• India maintains a harmonised list on export control of dual-use and military items, including software and technologies, with potential civilian/industrial applications as well as military and WMD use.

• Effective export controls are critical as India aims to significantly expand its defence exports with a target of reaching ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

• The Defence Ministry announced that defence exports hit a new high of ₹23,622 crore for FY 2024-25, a growth of ₹2,539 crore or 12.04% over the previous financial year.

• The Defence Ministry has adopted various policy measures to ease the approval/certifications for Indian firms for defence production while maintaining effective controls.