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Missile Technology Control
Regime
(MTCR)
Official Website:
http://www.mtcr.info/
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal
non-treaty based (voluntary arrangement) export control regime
with the aim of limiting the spread of missiles and missile
technology. Partners have equal standing in the regime, and
all MTCR decisions are taken by consensus. The MTCR was formed
in 1987 by the United States by the G-7 (US, Canada, the former
West Germany, Italy, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom).
As of 2007 there are 34 members:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria
Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States.
The regime comprises "Guidelines for Sensitive Missile-Relevant
Transfers" and an annex of controlled equipment and technologies.
The annex of controlled equipment and technology is divided
into "Category I" and "Category II" items.
It includes equipment and technology, both military and dual-use,
that are relevant to missile development, production, and
operation.
According to the Guidelines, export of Category I items is
subject to a presumption of denial. Category I includes complete
rocket systems (including ballistic missile systems, space
launch vehicles, and sounding rockets); unmanned air-vehicle
systems such as cruise missiles, target and reconnaissance
drones; specially-designed production facilities for these
systems; and certain complete subsystems such as rocket engines
or stages, re-entry vehicles, guidance sets, thrust-vector
controls and warhead safing, arming, fuzing, and firing mechanisms.
The transfer of Category I production equipment will not be
authorized.
Category II covers a wide range of parts, components and subsystems
such as propellants, structural materials, test equipment
and facilities, and flight instruments. These items may be
exported at the discretion of the MTCR Partner government,
on a case-by-case basis, for acceptable end-uses. They may
also be exported under government-to-government assurances,
which provide that they not be used on a missile system capable
of delivering a 500 kilogram payload to a range of at least
300 kilometers.
Since the MTCR is not based on a binding treaty, its implementation
is dependent on the resolve of the member states. The member
states usually deal with the implementation of the MTCR somewhat
differently. The United States being the most ardent MTCR
participant, back the implementation of the MTCR by a sanctions
law, whereas other states have used a more low-profile approach.
The MTCR Guidelines specifically state that the Regime is
"not designed to impede national space programs or international
cooperation in such programs as long as such programs could
not contribute to delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction."
We are careful with SLV equipment and technology transfers,
however, since the technology used in an SLV is virtually
identical to that used in a ballistic missile, which poses
genuine potential for missile proliferation.
The MTCR also undertakes outreach activities to keep non-Partners
informed about the group's activities and to provide practical
assistance regarding efforts to prevent the proliferation
of WMD delivery systems.
The MTCR has been criticized as a regime which lacks effectiveness.
Some of the problems include:
- MTCR is an incomplete regime, focussing only on the supply-side
constraints, ignoring demand-side controls, thereby increasing
incentives for non-MTCR to enter the suppliers market.
- MTCR lacks accepted standards on missiles and stability,
reliable information on capabilities, of confidence in the
strategic intentions of others states.
Further Reading
777 UN Plaza - 6th Floor - New York, NY - 10017 - Ph: 212.682.1265 - Fax: 212.286.8211 - info@reachingcriticalwill.org
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