MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME - SCIENCE TUTOR

MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME 

• The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was established in 1987 to prevent members from exporting missiles capable of delivering any weapon of mass destruction, with special focus on missiles capable of carrying 500-kg payload over at least 300 km, and on equipment, technology software for such missiles.
• It is in nature of informal and voluntary partnership. Being voluntary in nature, it places no legal obligations on its members, and has no enforcement mechanism.
• It has 35 members including India. In June 2016, India was given membership of MTCR.

China is not a member of MTCR.

Advantages of Securing MTCR Membership

• The membership of MTCR strengthens India’s credibility, thereby enabling India to import missile or technology from other countries. India is the only unrecognized nuclear power that is a member of MTCR.
• Specifically, India makes a supersonic cruise missile, the Brahmos, in a joint venture with Russia. On account of restrictions imposed by MTCR, in the past, Russia could co-develop Brahmos with maximum range of 290 km. After India became member of MTCR, Russia can develop long-range Brahmos with India. Consequently, both the nations are developing
• Brahmos missile of 600 km range.