What is the primary goal of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?

The primary goal of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is to limit the proliferation of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD), specifically nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The MTCR is an informal political understanding among member states that aims to coordinate national export controls to prevent the spread of these delivery systems. It achieves this by establishing guidelines and an Equipment, Software, and Technology Annex that lists specific items and technologies related to missiles with a range of at least 300 kilometers and a payload of at least 500 kilograms. MTCR member states commit to controlling the export of these items and technologies to non-member states, thereby hindering their ability to develop or acquire missile delivery systems for WMD. While the MTCR is not a treaty and has no legally binding obligations, it has been influential in slowing the spread of missile technology and encouraging states to adopt responsible export control practices. The focus is on controlling the means of delivering WMD, rather than the weapons themselves, to prevent the combination of these deadly weapons with effective delivery systems, which would pose a significant threat to international security.