Drones Fly Under Strict Regulations

Ibrahim Muhammad – Approximately one month after the Council of Ministers approved the draft decree-law regulating the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”), light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities, the law officially entered into force today (Sunday) with its publication in the official newspaper, “Kuwait Today.”

The law comprises 44 articles containing strict regulations for the use of these aircraft to safeguard national security. The explanatory memorandum emphasized that the unregulated use of such aircraft may pose risks to the safety of air navigation, state security, public order, individual privacy, and the safety of persons and property. It also highlighted potential threats to airports, critical infrastructure, and restricted or prohibited zones arising from misuse.

The draft decree-law assigned the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the law, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, security and military authorities, and relevant government entities. The law prohibits the use of unmanned aircraft prior to obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior. Violation of this provision is punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 Kuwaiti dinars, or either of these penalties.

The decree grants security and military authorities the power to deal with aircraft posing a threat. They are authorized to detect, intercept, disable, control, or shoot down any aircraft flying over restricted or prohibited areas, or in the vicinity of military and security installations, if such aircraft pose a threat to state security or the safety of individuals and property.

The decree assigns GACA the oversight of implementing its provisions, taking necessary measures and procedures to ensure the security and safety of operational activities, and conducting supervision and inspection of licensed and authorized entities to verify compliance with their obligations. The law governing the operation of these aircraft also prohibits their import and manufacturing within the country.

GACA is also responsible for classifying aircraft types, determining the qualification requirements for operators, setting altitude limits for each type, establishing necessary measures for their use, setting standard noise regulations, and approving the operations manual submitted by the aircraft operator.

Prohibitions include capturing any images or recording any video of individuals, private property, or public facilities designated by the executive regulation using an aircraft, prior to fulfilling the conditions stipulated by the regulation.

Details follow:

Decree-Law No. 89 of 2026, concerning the regulation of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”), light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities, prohibits the use of aircraft prior to obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior. Violation is punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 Kuwaiti dinars, or either of these penalties.

The decree was published in Issue No. 1808 of the official newspaper “Kuwait Today,” issued yesterday, and takes effect from the date of publication. Owners of all aircraft are required to regularize their status in accordance with the law, its executive regulation, and implementing decisions within one year from the date of its entry into force.

The decree grants security and military authorities the power to deal with threatening aircraft, authorizing them to detect, intercept, disable, control, or shoot down any aircraft flying over restricted or prohibited areas, or in the vicinity of military and security installations, if they pose a threat to state security or the safety of individuals and property. It stipulates that no legal or civil liability shall attach to these authorities or their personnel for damages caused to the aircraft or its systems as a result of exercising these powers.

The decree-law consists of 44 articles distributed across six chapters. It aims to regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities within Kuwait, thereby preserving the security and safety of the airspace.

The decree defines an unmanned aerial vehicle as an aircraft or flight system operated without a pilot on board, including all elements, equipment, and systems related to its operation and control, whether operated or guided remotely via radio waves, communication means, or other electronic technologies, or operated autonomously according to software or operational systems.

It defines a light sport aircraft as an aircraft or flight system weighing no more than 600 kilograms, or 650 kilograms for amphibious aircraft, using an engine, parachute, sail, or wing for flight for entertainment, recreational, or commercial purposes.

**Civil Aviation Authority**

The decree assigns GACA the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of its provisions, taking necessary measures and procedures to ensure the security and safety of operational activities, conducting supervision and inspection of licensed and authorized entities to verify compliance with their obligations, and issuing necessary guidelines to implement its provisions.

The Authority also determines and regulates activities related to unmanned aerial vehicles, light sport aircraft, and air sports, including design, manufacturing, assembly, modification, inspection, maintenance, development of simulation systems, training, qualification, and infrastructure establishment, after coordination with relevant government entities.

GACA is also responsible for classifying aircraft types, determining qualification requirements for operators, setting altitude limits for each type, establishing necessary measures for their use, setting standard noise regulations, and approving the operations manual submitted by the aircraft operator.

The decree also prohibits night flying during the period between sunset and sunrise, and in poor or unsuitable weather conditions as reported by the Meteorological Department, unless a special permit is issued by GACA.

**Photography with Regulations**

Prohibitions include capturing any images or recording any video of individuals, private property, or public facilities designated by the executive regulation using an aircraft, prior to fulfilling the conditions stipulated by the regulation. The decree also prohibits increasing the number of passengers in a light sport aircraft beyond the number stated in its registration certificate.

The decree authorizes the relevant authorities within GACA, in coordination with security and military authorities and to the extent necessary to avert danger and protect the security and safety of the airspace, to take all necessary technical and operational measures, including electronic jamming, disabling remote control systems, controlling or intercepting the aircraft, in case of non-compliance or failure to respond to orders issued by those authorities.

Security and military authorities are granted the power to take necessary measures to detect, intercept, disable, control, or shoot down aircraft flying in restricted or prohibited areas or in the vicinity of military and security installations, if they pose a threat to state security or the safety of individuals and property.

**Three Levels of Penalties**

Violations of Articles 9 (paragraphs two and three), 16, 17, 21, 24, and 26 are punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and a fine ranging from 300 to 700 Kuwaiti dinars, or either of these penalties.

Penalties increase to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 Kuwaiti dinars, or either of these penalties, for violations of Articles 10, 18, 19, 20, 23, and 28, including using an aircraft without Ministry of Interior approval, operating or piloting it without the prescribed license, violating operator and pilot responsibilities, and photography before fulfilling prescribed conditions.

Violations of Articles 11, 12, 25, and 27 are punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and a fine ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 Kuwaiti dinars, or either of these penalties. These include violations related to air sports licenses, import and manufacturing, commercial activities, flying within airport areas or over restricted and prohibited zones, and increasing the number of passengers in a light sport aircraft beyond the permitted limit.

**One Year to Regularize Status**

The decree requires each aircraft owner to regularize their status in accordance with its provisions, its executive regulation, and implementing decisions within one year from the date of its entry into force.

It also obligates the competent Minister to issue the executive regulation after coordination with relevant authorities by no later than December 31, 2026, specifying coordination procedures between GACA and relevant authorities to implement the decree’s provisions.