UK Updates Country Scope, Eligibility Definition for Defense-Related Licenses

The U.K.’s Export Control Joint Unit this week updated two open general export licenses related to the multi-country F-35 joint strike fighter program -- a defense acquisition effort by the U.K., the U.S. and others to replace fighter jets among allied countries.

One general license, which authorizes users to export goods, software or technology under the program to certain destinations, was updated to remove Turkey from the list of partner nations. It also added Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Singapore and Switzerland as nations that are eligible “export customers,” and it added Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain and Sweden as countries that may “develop, produce, trial, or test or use” items authorized by the license.

The other license, which authorizes certain exports or transfers involving U.K. government defense contracts, updates the language for which contracts are eligible under the license. The U.K. said the license covers a contract where the government is a “recipient of the final finished goods, technical assistance or software or technology,” and where there is “prior written approval from the Ministry of Defence confirming eligibility under this licence.”

Both licenses also include updated contact information for U.K. government agencies.

The export control agency said it plans to contact users of both licenses to “advise about actions you will need to take.”