Uzbekistan plans to expand the use of drones for civil purposes

Uzbekistan intends to expand the use of drones in the civil sector

On November 4, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to expand the use of unmanned aircraft systems for civil purposes and to improve the regulation of this industry.

As noted during the presentation, drones can be utilized for crop monitoring, farmland treatment, and yield assessment. In industry, their application is proposed for controlling manufacturing processes and infrastructure conditions, while in cities, they can be used for observing traffic flows and managing road traffic.

According to presented estimates, the global drone market is growing by 10–15% annually. The expansion of their use in Uzbekistan is expected to reduce production costs, make more efficient use of resources, and create new jobs.

The presentation also considered proposals for improving the rules governing the use of drones. In particular, it provides for:

A special emphasis was placed on developing domestic drone production and creating favorable conditions for entrepreneurs and investors in this field.

Starting from the new academic year, the Transport University plans to begin training specialists in unmanned aircraft systems. The training is intended to be combined with practical work.

Following the presentation, the President instructed the preparation of proposals to amend legislation taking into account international experience, expand the use of drones in the economy, and support their production in Uzbekistan.

Specific timelines for changing the rules, the list of permitted flight zones, and the conditions for the use of drones by private individuals have not yet been specified.

As a reminder, restrictions on the import, sale, and use of drones have been in effect in Uzbekistan since 2015. According to a government decree from November 2022, in order to purchase and operate drones, companies must obtain a separate permit from the Cabinet of Ministers, after which they must undergo registration and flight clearance procedures. Exceptions are provided for certain state organizations and other authorized cases.

In March 2024, the President signed a law relaxing liability for the illegal trafficking and use of drones. For a first offense, an administrative fine ranging from 10 to 20 BCV with confiscation of the device was introduced instead of criminal punishment. A repeated violation after an administrative penalty may lead to criminal liability, up to three years of imprisonment.

In February 2026, within the framework of the state program, a relaxation of the rules for the use of civil drones was envisaged. In particular, it was proposed to divide the airspace into "green," "yellow," and "red" zones, establish a digital flight monitoring system, and set requirements for training drone operators. The draft of the relevant document was instructed to be developed by June.