Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

Informal association of countries dedicated to nonproliferation of unmanned weapons systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The members of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) also seek to coordinate national laws relating to the licensing of such systems for export to other countries.

Founded in 1987 by Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States, the MTCR was created partly in response to the proliferation of WMD during the preceding two decades. At that time, the primary concern among nonproliferation advocates was the growth of state-owned stockpiles of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Since then, the number of members and the focus of the MTCR have broadened. As of 2005, 34 countries have joined the association. Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC, the MTCR has placed greater emphasis on preventing WMD delivery systems from falling into the hands of terrorists.

Perhaps the greatest challenge to the effectiveness of the MTCR is overcoming conflicting national policies (or lack thereof) concerning the licensing of the systems for export. To help surmount these difficulties, all members of the MTCR, as well as some nonmember states, have voluntarily introduced export-licensing measures on rockets and other unmanned airborne delivery systems, related equipment, material, and technology.