Adapting the Missile Technology Control Regime for Current and Future Challenges

The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a cornerstone of the non-proliferation architecture for missiles and other uncrewed aerial vehicles. However, geopolitical and technical developments and operational challenges threaten the regime’s effectiveness and create a need for reform in several areas.

The MTCR partners should develop a clear strategy for determining if and how to expand MTCR membership. To increase the number of adherents, partners should pursue reinforced outreach and expand and promote the benefits offered. By improving the transparency of its procedures and deliberations, the regime can make them more understandable for non-partners. The partners can also improve the MTCR’s legitimacy by emphasizing that it provides public goods and helps states to meet their international obligations. The regime can also address the challenges of emerging technologies by focusing on technical deliberations and sharing information and good practices. Through all this, the MTCR must ensure its continued functioning in the face of geopolitical tensions and armed conflict between partners.

This SIPRI Policy Brief summarizes the findings and presents the policy recommendations from a longer report, see Brockmann, K., Bromley, M. and Héau, L., The Missile Technology Control Regime at a Crossroads: Adapting the Regime for Current and Future Challenges, SIPRI Report (SIPRI, Stockholm, 2022).