UAE Approves New Drone Regulations

The UAE has introduced new regulations for the commercial and recreational use of drones, state news agency WAM has reported.

The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) has endorsed new regulatory standards including a surveillance system for detecting unmanned aerial vehicles, WAM said.

Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, the chairman of ESMA's board, said a central system will be established to monitor drones through a mandatory serial number to be included in products by manufacturers, with a view to creating a nationwide database for aerial products, WAM reported.

The new regulations will apply to both recreational and commercial users, including in free zones, and to both self-assembled and ready-for-use products, WAM said.