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Notice

NTE 2026/19: Updated OGL (Global Combat Air Programme) and new OGEL: Agreement on Defence Export Controls ‘De-Minimis’ Exports

Published 9 September 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-202619-updated-open-general-licence-global-combat-air-programme-and-new-open-general-export-licence-agreement-on-defence-export-co/nte-202619-updated-ogl-global-combat-air-programme-and-new-ogel-agreement-on-defence-export-controls-de-minimis-exports

Introduction

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has updated the existing GCAP Open General Licence and introduced a new Open General Export Licence for the Defence Export Controls Agreement.

Both measures aim to support defence collaboration with close partners and provide simplified licensing arrangements, while maintaining the UK’s robust export controls.

Exporters should review the relevant licence carefully and ensure that they can comply with all applicable terms and conditions before using it. Where the conditions of either licence cannot be met, exporters may use an alternative licensing route.

Updated Open General Licence (Global Combat Air Programme)

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a joint programme between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a next-generation combat aircraft.

The previous GCAP Open General Licence (OGL), first published in August 2024, has been updated to reflect the programme’s progression into its next phase of development. The amendments:

  • add Supply Chain Nations
  • provide for authorised Observer Nation activities
  • update programme terminology

Read the updated Open General Licence (Global Combat Air Programme)

Subject to its conditions, the updated OGL permits the export and transfer of specified dual-use and military goods, software and technology to GCAP Partner Nations and GCAP Supply Chain Nations where those activities are necessary to support the development, production, test and evaluation, through-life support, use, disposal or decommissioning of GCAP. The licence also permits limited, authorised activities relating to Observer Nations.

The previous GCAP OGL, dated August 2024, has been revoked and replaced by this updated licence. Existing registrations remain valid.

Exporters should review the updated licence carefully and ensure they can comply with all the terms and conditions before using it.

New Open General Export Licence: Agreement on Defence Export Controls ‘De-Minimis’ Exports

Read the new Open General Export Licence: Agreement on Defence Export Controls ‘De-Minimis’ Exports

This OGEL supports the UK’s implementation of the ‘de-minimis’ provisions contained in Article 3 of the Agreement on Defence Export Controls between the UK, France, Germany and Spain.

The ‘de-minimis’ provisions apply where the value of UK-origin goods, software or technology does not exceed 20% of the total value of the final system into which they are to be integrated.

The licence permits exports and transfers of specified military goods, software and technology to Partner Nations (France, Germany and Spain) for integration into a final system, where the total UK-origin content of that system does not exceed the ‘de-minimis’ threshold, and where that final system is to be transferred or exported from a Partner Nation to any destination not excluded by the licence.

Exporters should review the licence carefully and ensure they can comply with all the terms and conditions before using it.

Registration and guidance

Before using these licences, exporters must register through SPIRE. This includes stating where you will keep records of the exports or transfers, and where ECJU may inspect them.

Further information:

Declaration requirements

As outlined in Notice to exporters 2026/13, when exporters register to use OGELs or GEAs, they are given a unique licence reference in the following format: ‘GBOGE20XX/XXXXX’.

For relevant exports, this code should be input into the UK’s Customs Declarations System (CDS), which includes a field where this licence reference can be entered.

Including the licence reference on CDS will bring goods exports made under OGELs and GEAs into line with standard individual export licences (SIELs) and open individual export licence (OIELs). The roll-out of this requirement across all relevant OGELs aims to deliver data that will help us maintain the appropriate balance between transparency and administrative burden, while providing insight into OGEL usage and trends.

Contact ECJU 

General queries about strategic export licensing 

Export Control Joint Unit 
Department for Business and Trade 
Old Admiralty Building 
Admiralty Place 
London 
SW1A 2DY 

Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk 

Telephone 020 7215 4594

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