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Intangible Transfers of Technology and Software: Challenges for the Missile Technology Control Regime

Controlling intangible transfers of technology (ITT) and software—including in the context of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)—is a known challenge, but the growth of the NewSpace industry and advances in emerging technologies make it a particularly timely topic. This report explores a series of cases of export control violations and cases where the risk of a possible violation was identified involving missile-related ITT or software. The report also develops a typology of violations and identifies associated compliance challenges.

This report explores some of the key challenges that emerge from the case studies, including the increasing reliance on ITT and software, which have become easier and more common, by companies in the aerospace and NewSpace sectors and their global supply chains.

The report concludes by offering recommendations for the MTCR to strengthen its efforts to address the proliferation risks posed by ITT and software.

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Controlling intangible transfers of missile-related technology and software through the MTCR

3. Case studies of ITT and software control violations and risks 

4. Key challenges posed by intangible transfers of missile-related technology and software

5. Strengthening the MTCR’s efforts to address proliferation risks posed by ITT and software

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)/EDITORS

Lauriane Héau is a Researcher in the Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme at SIPRI.
Kolja Brockmann is a Senior Researcher in the SIPRI Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control programme.