The US has eased its export controls programme in order to allow improved technology sharing with the other members of the AUKUS security agreement, Australia and the UK.
The US State Department has informed Congress that it considers Australia and the UK to have suitably compatible export control regimes for the government to change its International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) rules to allow easier sharing of military technology with those countries.
This will mean that around 80% of trade in this technology will not require a licence, and comes following changes made by the UK and Australia to their export controls programmes in a bid to reassure the US that any technology it shares will not be shared further.
The intention is to maximise innovation and mutually strengthen the three defence industrial bases by facilitating billions of dollars in secure licence-free defence trade.
Being able to move ITAR goods using exemptions will streamline the process and reduce supply chain time constraints accordingly.
Any trade controls outside the scope of the ITAR and the UK Strategic Military Export Controls Lists will still be applicable.