Drone Law Brief | Mar-Apr 2026: Garuda Aerospace pre-files DRHP for IPO; Kar HC rules on drone criminal trespass

Editor's note

• Garuda Aerospace has pre-filed a confidential DRHP with SEBI for an IPO targeting about Rs. 1,000 crore.

• The Karnataka High Court quashed a drone trespass FIR, holding that a mechanical failure alone does not amount to criminal trespass.

• Parliamentary data shows persistent drone sightings along India’s borders, underscoring the need for stronger counter-drone measures.

• Archer Aviation finds itself roped in two suits, one with Joby and a patent infringement suit with Vertical Aerospace.

• The FAA’s nationwide drone NOTAM has triggered constitutional and administrative-law challenges over vague, open-ended flight restrictions.

• Federal contractors are now barred from using drones tied to covered foreign entities, tightening US procurement controls.

India

1. Garuda Aerospace pre-files DRHP with SEBI for Rs. 1,000 crore IPO

Garuda Aerospace Private Limited, a Chennai-based drone manufacturer and drone-as-a-service provider, is reported to have pre-filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (‘DRHP’) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (‘SEBI’) through the confidential filing route. The company's board, in an extraordinary general meeting held on 19 March 2026, approved an IPO comprising a fresh issue of equity shares of up to Rs. 750 crore along with an offer-for-sale component, the size of which has not been disclosed. Reports indicate the company is targeting a total raise of approximately Rs. 1,000 crore. The listing is expected towards the end of 2026.

Founded in 2015, Garuda Aerospace manufactures around 30 types of drones and provides services across agriculture, defence, surveillance, logistics and industrial inspection. The company reported operating revenue of Rs. 123.5 crore in FY25, a 12% year-on-year increase, and net profit of Rs. 18.4 crore, up 41% year-on-year. It holds DGCA approvals for type certification and operates a Remote Pilot Training Organisation for small and medium-class drones.

If the IPO proceeds as planned, Garuda Aerospace would become the third pure-play drone company to list on Indian exchanges, following DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Limited in 2022 against which SEBI had passed an order in November 2025 for financial misrepresentation and mis-utilisation of IPO proceeds, as  reported in our December 2025 edition, and IdeaForge in 2023.

2. Karnataka High Court quashes drone trespass FIR: mechanical failure does not constitute criminal trespass

The High Court of Karnataka in M/S NewSpace Research and Technologies Private Limited v. The State of Karnataka, WP 3862/2026, on 24 February 2026 quashed FIR Crime No. 24/2026 registered against the NewSpace under Sections 125 and 329 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’).

As we reported in our February 2026 edition, NewSpace, a DGCA-licensed drone manufacturer, had challenged a suo motu FIR registered by the Doddaballapura Rural Police after one of its lightweight research drones suffered a battery malfunction during routine testing and glided into a neighbouring property. No complaint had been filed by the property owner and no damage or injury was reported. The Court stayed further investigation on 6 February 2026 and directed the concerned police inspector to file an affidavit.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, allowing the petition, held that criminal law cannot be invoked against an inanimate object and that the essential ingredient of mens rea was not met. The Court observed that the incident, at its highest, constituted a case of negligible harm under Section 33 of the BNS.

The Court further noted, that there is no attributable negligent human act to any identified individual, remarking, “The FIR, however, is conspicuously devoid of any allegation of intentional human entry or any discernible ingredient of the statute. The recovery is of a drone. Mere recovery of a drone, without anything more, cannot, by any stretch of imagination, satisfy the ingredients of the offence.” The Court also observed that NRT held valid DGCA authorisation to operate in a designated Green Zone and that its testing activities fell within the scope of Rule 42 of the Drone Rules, 2021.  

This is the first reported case in India in which a court has substantively ruled on whether a drone entering private property due to mechanical failure constitutes criminal trespass. The ruling establishes that in the absence of human entry,  intention to trespass, damage and complaint from the property owner, the invocation of criminal law against a drone malfunction is unsustainable. 

In our February edition, we noted that this case would raise important questions about aerial property rights and the scope of police jurisdiction over drone operations governed by the DGCA. The Court's order settles the jurisdictional question decisively in this fact pattern: regulatory compliance under the Drone Rules, 2021 falls within the domain of the DGCA, and routine operational incidents in Green Zones do not warrant criminal proceedings.

Drone operators conducting test flights under DGCA authorisation should note this judgment as an important precedent. That said, the ruling turns on the specific facts of a licensed R&D operator, a Green Zone, mechanical failure and no complainant. Operators outside this fact pattern, or those operating without valid authorisation, should not assume the same protection applies.

3. SVAMITVA scheme update: drone surveys completed in 3.29 lakh villages, distribution gaps remain

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 18 March 2026, stated that drone surveys under the SVAMITVA scheme have been completed in 3.29 lakh villages out of a target of 3.44 lakh villages as of 11 March 2026. Against this, 3.10 crore property cards have been prepared for 1.87 lakh villages and 2.65 crore property cards have been distributed.

The gap between these figures is worth noting. While the survey phase is substantially complete (95.6%), property cards have been prepared for only 56.8% of surveyed villages and the distribution figure lags further. In our February 2026 edition, we reported that questions raised in the Parliament about the SVAMITVA scheme's impact on land dispute reduction and administrative efficiency had drawn responses from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj confirming that no such study had been conducted. 

We note that the completion of the drone survey has not resulted in a completion of the scheme's stated objective of delivering legal ownership papers to rural residents. Whether the remaining villages represent harder terrain, administrative backlogs or data quality issues has not been officially explained, yet.

4. Parliamentary Standing Committee flags drone incursion data along borders

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by Shri Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, in its Demands for Grants report tabled on 17 March 2026, reported that between two and three drones are sighted daily along India's international borders. Over the past five years, 4,323 drone sightings have been recorded in total. The Committee recommended that procurement and deployment of drone and counter-drone systems be prioritised and fast-tracked in border guarding forces, with emphasis on indigenous technology solutions and integrated command-and-control mechanisms.

The Committee also recommended that a streamlined procurement system with improved technical vetting, advance planning, and monitoring of delivery schedules be adopted to avoid implementation delays within the Central Armed Police Forces modernisation programme.

The data demonstrates there is a need for a streamlined response by India and perhaps a policy addressing such incursions, also in light of increasing border security concerns. The sustained volume of daily border incursions reinforces the policy question this newsletter has tracked across several editions.

5. Ten illegal drone flights recorded over Puri Jagannath Temple

The Odisha Law Minister disclosed in the State Assembly that ten illegal drone flights have been recorded over the Puri Jagannath Temple since June 2024. Ten FIRs have been registered. The state government confirmed that anti-drone devices are now being deployed at the site.

We reported in our October 2025 edition that the DGCA had classified the Jagannath Temple as a Red Zone under the Drone Rules, 2021, effective from 26 September 2025 to 25 September 2028. Rule 22 prohibits drone operations in Red Zones without prior permission from the Central Government. 

6. Ministry of Civil Aviation proposes Rs. 1,800 crore drone manufacturing incentive scheme

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (‘MoCA’) has proposed an incentive scheme tentatively titled Mission Drone Shakti, with an estimated outlay of Rs. 1,600 crore to Rs. 1,800 crore over five years. The scheme is aimed at boosting domestic drone component manufacturing, supporting research and development and reducing reliance on imported components, particularly from China. It is structured to complement the existing Production-Linked Incentive scheme for drones and drone components. The proposal is reported to include a dual-incentive framework combining capital expenditure subsidies with output-linked incentives for manufacturers meeting domestic content requirements.

The scheme has not been formally notified. At the time of reporting, details were drawn from publicly circulated reports. The proposal is understood to be awaiting finance ministry approval before it is presented for consideration of the Cabinet. If notified, Mission Drone Shakti would be introduced in FY27.

For drone manufacturers, particularly those in the component segment, this scheme would represent the most substantial fiscal commitment to domestic manufacturing since the PLI scheme. Companies planning capacity additions should track Cabinet approval closely, as the scheme's domestic content thresholds will determine eligibility.

7. MoD publishes draft framework for testing security vulnerabilities in drones

The Ministry of Defence (‘MoD’) on 25 March 2026 published a Draft Framework for Testing Security Vulnerabilities in Drones, with comments invited until 8 April 2026. The framework, prepared by the Army Design Bureau in consultation with the National Security Council Secretariat, MoCA, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, DRDO, and industry stakeholders, establishes a standardised methodology for assessing the security posture of drone systems procured or operated by the armed forces.

The framework applies to "low, slow, and small" drones, including nano, micro, and small platforms such as quadcopters and hexacopters. It introduces a mandatory 20-point evaluation covering both hardware and software. Hardware testing includes integrated circuit analysis, tamper resistance checks, secure boot verification, PCB inspection, and design traceability. Software testing covers cryptographic key validation, memory protection, firmware pinning, and anti-rollback safeguards. Eight components have been designated as critical: the flight controller, firmware, transmission systems, INS/GPS module, sensors, and ground control software.

The framework adopts "secure-by-design" principles, requiring security measures to be integrated from the Request for Information stage through procurement and lifecycle upgrades. A centralised database of cleared vendors is to be maintained by the Department of Defence Production, with certified systems exempted from repeat testing unless modified.

The framework is intended to be incorporated into the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 (‘DAP’), which we covered in detail in our February 2026 edition. The DAP already mandates that engines for drones manufactured in India be procured as Buyer's Nominated Equipment. The security vulnerability framework adds a second layer of compliance: manufacturers supplying drone systems to the defence sector will need to clear both the DAP's sourcing requirements and the framework's security testing protocol.

The comment window was eight days from the posting date. Given the short window, manufacturers and operators with a view on the testing methodology would have needed to engage promptly. The framework's immediate applicability to small drones and its planned extension to larger platforms signal a shift in how the MoD vets drone procurement.

8. National Defence Industries Conclave: Raksha Mantri calls for India to become a global drone manufacturing hub

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, speaking at the National Defence Industries Conclave on 19 March 2026, said India should become a global drone manufacturing hub and called for achieving that objective in "mission mode" by 2030. The Conclave saw the unveiling of over 200 problem statements under Defence India Startup Challenge 14 (‘DISC’) and ADITI Challenges 4.0, both of which are grant-based programmes under the defence innovation framework.

DISC and ADITI function as the iDEX pathway for defence drone development. As we elaborated in our February edition, iDEX is now a mainstream acquisition pathway under the Draft DAP 2026, with products developed by startups and MSMEs directly eligible for Buy (Indian-IDDM) procurement. The volume of problem statements under this cycle suggests continued focus on indigenising drone subsystems, particularly propulsion and electronic warfare payloads, where import dependence remains high.

The Raksha Mantri also stated that drone components from moulds to software, engines, and batteries must all be manufactured in India. This language is consistent with the Draft DAP 2026's mandatory domestic sourcing requirement for drone engines and the MoD's security vulnerability framework published in the same week.

Global

United States

1. Archer Aviation files counterclaim against Joby, alleges undisclosed ties to Chinese suppliers

Archer Aviation Inc. ('Archer') on 9 March 2026 filed a counterclaim against Joby Aero Inc. and Joby Aviation Inc. in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, escalating the litigation between the two leading eVTOL developers that we first reported in our December 2025 edition.

In December, we covered Joby's original complaint alleging that a former employee, George Kivork, had misappropriated confidential data before joining Archer and that Archer had used the stolen information to undercut Joby's exclusive partnership with a strategic real estate developer. We also noted the broader pattern of corporate espionage in the drone and eVTOL sector, including comparable cases involving NewSpace Research and Technologies and Raphe Mphibir in India.

Archer's counterclaim takes a different tack. Archer alleges that Joby operated a manufacturing subsidiary in Shenzhen for years and benefited from Chinese government support while publicly presenting itself as a domestically rooted aerospace manufacturer. The counterclaim further alleges that Joby and its representatives misclassified thousands of pounds of Chinese-origin aircraft components on customs forms as consumer goods such as socks, napkins, and hair clips, thereby avoiding import tariffs and obscuring the origin of the components. Archer seeks damages and declaratory relief on grounds of unfair competition and false advertising.

Joby has denied the allegations. On 6 April 2026, Joby filed a motion to dismiss Archer's counterclaim, characterising it as "long on innuendo but short on factual allegations."

2. Archer Aviation Files Patent Infringement Suit Against Vertical Aerospace Over eVTOL Design

It has been reported that Archer on 23 February 2026 filed a patent infringement complaint against UK-based Vertical Aerospace Ltd. ('Vertical') in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that Vertical's newly unveiled Valo aircraft infringes multiple of Archer’s patents. The suit targets two US design patents covering the overall appearance of Archer's Midnight air taxi - including its V-tail, fuselage, and wing configuration as well as a utility patent relating to control allocation across multiple electric propulsion units. Archer contends that Vertical abandoned its earlier VX4 configuration and replaced it with Valo, which it describes in court filings as a "visual mimic" of Midnight. Archer is seeking an injunction to block Vertical from using the contested designs.

Vertical has rejected the allegations, stating that its aircraft architecture and certification pathway were independently developed and protected by its own IP portfolio. Domhnal Slattery, Chair of Vertical Aerospace, characterised the suit as an attempt to distract from Archer's own market challenges.

For eVTOL companies operating across jurisdictions, the dispute signals that design patent enforcement is becoming a live commercial risk alongside trade secret claims. Companies approaching certification milestones should ensure their design evolution is independently documented and that freedom-to-operate analyses are conducted before public unveiling of new configurations.

3. FAA nationwide drone NOTAM draws First Amendment legal challenge

The nationwide Notice to Air Missions (FDC 6/4375) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (‘FAA’) on 16 January 2026, also reported in our February edition, has drawn its first federal court challenge. On 16 March 2026, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed a petition in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on behalf of photojournalist Robert Levine, seeking to overturn the NOTAM on First Amendment, Fifth Amendment and Administrative Procedure Act grounds.

As reported earlier, the NOTAM prohibits all unmanned aircraft from operating within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of any Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, or Department of Energy facility or mobile asset, including ground vehicle convoys. Unlike conventional TFRs, the restriction carries no fixed geographic boundary and no expiry date and does not appear on the FAA's B4UFLY (service that shows where recreational flyers can and cannot fly), Low Altitude Authorisation and Notification Capability (LAANC- near real-time automated airspace authorisation for drone pilots to fly in controlled airspace, generally below 400 feet, accessible through apps) or TFR mapping tools. Because Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents frequently operate in unmarked vehicles, operators have no practical means of determining in advance whether a flight will place them in violation.

The petition argues that the NOTAM was issued without the notice-and-comment process required by the Administrative Procedure Act, is unconstitutionally vague and has a chilling effect on First Amendment-protected newsgathering. In January 2026, a coalition including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation had separately demanded that the FAA lift the restriction. In April 2026, the EFF published a detailed analysis characterising the NOTAM as an attempt to criminalise aerial documentation of immigration enforcement operations.

The NOTAM, in its current form, creates an invisible, shifting restricted airspace that applies to every Part 107 operator in the country. The DC Circuit's handling of the petition will set precedent on whether the FAA can use TFR authority to impose open-ended, geographically undefined flight restrictions without public comment.

4. FAR clause 52.240-1 takes effect: federal contracts must exclude drones from covered foreign entities

Federal Acquisition Regulation clause 52.240-1, implementing the American Security Drone Act (‘ASDA’) enacted through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, became fully operative on 13 March 2026. The clause prohibits federal contractors from delivering, operating, or using federal funds to procure any unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an entity on the Federal Acquisition Security Council's (‘FASC’) ASDA-covered foreign entities list, published on the System for Award Management (SAM) at sam.gov.

This prohibition applies to all solicitations and contracts awarded on or after 12 November 2024, and extends to subcontracts at all tiers, including those for commercial products and services. Contractors must search the SAM list before proposing or using any UAS in the performance of a federal contract. The clause builds on the December 2025 restrictions we reported in our November and February editions - the FCC Covered List addition and the White House memorandum mandating UAS procurement requirements - but operates through the federal procurement channel rather than the communications or import channel.

For Indian drone manufacturers and component suppliers exploring US defence and government contracts, FAR 52.240-1 creates both a risk and an opportunity. The risk: any supply chain connection to a covered foreign entity can disqualify a system from federal procurement. The opportunity that US agencies and their contractors now need alternative, non-covered sources for UAS hardware, and Indian-manufactured drones and components with clean supply chains are well placed to fill that gap, particularly on the Department of Defense's Blue UAS Cleared List pathway.

5. FAA implements Section 927 waiver process for certain UAS operations

The FAA on 1 April 2026 published a Federal Register notice (Docket No. FAA-2026-1100) explaining how it will implement Section 927 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. 

Section 927 authorises the FAA to grant regulatory relief to unmanned aircraft operators through waivers rather than the lengthier exemption process under 49 U.S.C. Section 44807. For operators seeking routine regulatory relief for low-risk or geographically constrained operations - testing, closed-environment flights, or short-duration operations - the waiver pathway is supposed to reduce processing timelines.

The waiver pathway applies the same safety standard as exemptions: operators must demonstrate that operations under the waiver would not adversely affect safety or would provide a level of safety equal to the rule from which relief is sought. The difference is procedural. Section 927 waivers do not require the petitioner to show that the requested relief benefits the public as a whole and operations with minimal public impact can bypass the notice-and-comment process that applies to exemptions. The FAA identified four considerations for determining whether a waiver or exemption is the appropriate pathway with minimal public impact, geographic or temporal constraints, limited scope and absence of significant public interest.

The notice makes clear that the Section 927 waiver complements the exemption process and does not replace it. Both pathways remain available now. 

6. FAA unveils eight eVTOL Integration Pilot Program selections

The FAA on 9 March 2026 announced eight selections for the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program ("eIPP"). The programme is designed to generate operational data for future regulation and integration of advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace. 

The eIPP follows the FAA's established practice of using pilot programmes to build the evidentiary base for rule-making. The range of operational concepts to be tested are urban air taxi service, cargo and logistics network, autonomous flight technologies, regional passenger transportation (including short Takeoff and Landing aircraft) and Offshore and energy-sector transportation.

For the eVTOL sector, the selections signal that the FAA is proceeding with a data-driven integration pathway, with commercial operations contingent on operational evidence gathered through these pilots.

7. FAA flags 'No Drone Zone' restrictions for FIFA World Cup 2026

The FAA on 18 March 2026 warned that unauthorised drone flights at FIFA World Cup 2026 venues will be subject to Temporary Flight Restrictions (‘TFR’). The World Cup, to be hosted across multiple US cities from June to July 2026, will trigger TFRs around each match venue. The FAA has published a dedicated page outlining airspace restrictions for the tournament period.

Separately, H.R. 7525, the Counter Drone State and Local Defender Act, was introduced in the US House of Representatives on 12 February 2026, proposing a three-year pilot programme authorising approximately 4,000 local law enforcement agencies to deploy counter-UAS systems. The Bill provides an expedited track for the eleven FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities. The Bill has not been enacted at the time of publication of this edition.

8. FAA toughens drone enforcement policy

The FAA updated its enforcement policy for drone operations that violate airspace restrictions or endanger public safety. Under the revised policy, the FAA will pursue direct legal action in cases involving public safety risk, with civil penalties of up to USD 75,000 per violation.

9. House-passed Bill expands recreational drone operations over 1200ft. AGL

The US House of Representatives passed H.R. 6460, a Bill expanding recreational drone operating permissions to include certain sectors of Class E airspace. The Bill, championed by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, would simplify altitude restrictions for recreational operators in uncontrolled or lightly controlled airspace. The Bill awaits Senate consideration.

United Kingdom

1. CAA publishes updated Drone and Model Aircraft Code

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (‘CAA’) released the March 2026 edition of the Drone and Model Aircraft Code (‘CAP 2320’). The update consolidates the post 1 January 2026 regulatory position, including the lowered Flyer ID registration threshold (mandatory for aircraft weighing 100g or above), UK class marks (UK0 to UK6) for new drones placed on the market from 1 January 2026, Remote ID activation requirements for UK1, UK2, and UK3 class drones, and the transitional recognition of EU C-class drones until 31 December 2027. The Code also incorporates the requirement for a flashing green light during night operations.

We covered the January 2026 edition of CAP 2320 in our February edition. The March update is primarily administrative - refining the presentation and guidance language rather than introducing new regulatory requirements. The Code continues to serve as the syllabus for the Flyer ID theory test and remains the reference document for operators flying in the Open category (A1 and A3 sub-categories).

The March edition also clarifies the follow-me mode exception: the requirement to maintain direct visual line of sight need not be met when follow-me mode is active and the aircraft remains within 50 metres of the remote pilot. This is a useful operational clarification for operators using automated tracking features.

2. CAA publishes electronic conspicuity consultation response (CAP 3217)

The CAA on 2 March 2026 published CAP 3217, its consultation response document on the Initial Technical Concept of Operations for Electronic Conspicuity (‘EC’). The document summarises 808 responses received during the consultation that closed on 6 October 2025 and sets out the CAA's confirmed positions on how EC will underpin the integration of BVLOS drones into non-segregated airspace alongside crewed aircraft.

The CAA confirmed its position that drones operating BVLOS in non-segregated airspace must emit a 978 MHz UAT ADS-B Out signal, functioning to DO-282B standards. The choice of 978 MHz is intended to reduce burden on the congested 1090 MHz band used by commercial aviation. The CAA also confirmed that BVLOS drones must receive EC signals on both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz to enable deconfliction with both manned and unmanned traffic. A UK-wide EC mandate consultation is planned to follow in 2026, with the CAA expecting to publish an updated EC Technical Concept of Operations in late 2026 or early 2027.

Of the 808 responses, only 47 came from the UAS industry, with the majority representing the general aviation community. Several respondents from the air sports sector raised concerns about cost, weight, and practicality of EC equipment for slower or lighter aircraft. There was, however, broad support for the principle that BVLOS drones should transmit electronic conspicuity.

For operators planning BVLOS operations in the UK, CAP 3217 signals the direction of travel clearly: ADS-B equipage on 978 MHz will become a mandatory component of any safety case for integrated operations. Operators should plan their EC roadmap accordingly, including budgeting for equipment and integration with detect-and-avoid systems.

3. Armed Forces Bill 2026 progresses through committee: counter-drone powers for MoD sites

The Armed Forces Bill 2026 (‘Bill’) entered committee stage in Parliament. The Bill would grant defence personnel powers to detect, intercept and defeat drones operating near Ministry of Defence sites without requiring police involvement. The Bill's provisions respond to a reported 266 unauthorised drone incidents near MoD facilities in 2025, double the figure recorded in 2024.

4. Windracers receives approval for UK's first civil international BVLOS flight

Windracers received CAA and Norwegian CAA (Luftfartstilsynet) approval for the first civil international BVLOS drone flight: a 378 km route from Tingwall Airport in the Shetland Islands to Haugesund Airport in Norway, over the North Sea. The approval, granted in September 2025, was enabled by the creation of temporary danger areas providing a controlled corridor across the Scottish/Polaris Flight Information Region boundary into Norwegian airspace. The Windracers ULTRA MK2, a heavy-lift platform with a 150 kg payload capacity and 1,000 km range, was scheduled for flight in March 2026.

The cross-border coordination model is regulatorily significant because it shows that both regulators successfully leveraged existing structures and processes, proving that international BVLOS operations can be effectively managed within the prevailing regulatory framework.

European Union

1. European Commission publishes Action Plan on Drone and Counter - Drone Security

The European Commission published an Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security (COM(2026) 81). The Action Plan proposes EUR 250 million in counter-drone funding and recommends extending registration and remote ID requirements to all drones above 100g. The document represents the Commission's most comprehensive policy statement on the dual challenge of enabling commercial drone operations while addressing security risks from hostile or unauthorised drone use.

The Action Plan follows the entry into force of EU U-space regulations in January 2023 and builds on the Drone Strategy 2.0 published by the Commission in 2022. It signals the Commission's intent to treat counter-drone capability as a structural component of European airspace management rather than a response-level issue.

2. EASA Conflict Zone Information Bulletin 2026-03

EASA issued Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (‘CZIB’) 2026-03, warning all operators to avoid the airspace of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE at all altitudes. The bulletin reflects the heightened conflict risk in the region and applies to all categories of aircraft, including unmanned systems.

3. JEDA and ASTM International sign MoU on voluntary drone standards

The Joint European Drones Association (‘JEDA’) and ASTM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 27 March 2026 in Düsseldorf to cooperate on the strengthening awareness and alignment  of international voluntary drone standards. The MoU is aimed at reducing regulatory fragmentation across EU member states as U-space scales and cross-border operations become more common. Both associates are also jointly sponsoring training programs for JEDA members.

4. ICAO agrees foundational principles for RPAS integration

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (‘ICAO’) on 22 March 2026 agreed foundational principles for the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems into international civil aviation. Next-stage work on UTM frameworks and counter-UAS coordination frameworks is to commence. The principles, while high-level, provide the international legal baseline on which regional and national RPAS regulations will be built.

Australia

1. CASA publishes RPAS cybersecurity guidance (AC 21-57)

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority ('CASA') on 5 March 2026 released Advisory Circular AC 21-57 (‘AC’), providing guidance on cybersecurity risks across RPAS subsystems, ground control stations, C2 links and supporting infrastructure. The AC addresses threats including unauthorised access to flight control systems, data interception and firmware vulnerabilities.

CASA stated that the AC does not create any new regulatory requirement but is intended to assist operators, manufacturers and maintenance organisations in identifying and managing cyber risks within their existing safety management frameworks. The publication follows a broader international trend, the MoD's Draft Framework for Testing Security Vulnerabilities in Drones in India and the FAR 52.240-1 restrictions in the US both reflect the same underlying concern about the security posture of drone systems, particularly those incorporating foreign-manufactured components.

2. CASA opens AusSORA consultation (draft AC 101-06)

CASA on 11 March 2026 opened consultation on draft Advisory Circular AC 101-06 v1.0, adapting the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA 2.5) framework for Australian conditions. The draft proposes updates to ground risk assessment, containment requirements, and operational safety objectives, and outlines a proposed adjacent area assessment method.

CASA indicated that once finalised, the AC would replace Technical Memorandum of Interpretation (TMI 2024-03) and form the basis for AusSORA-based applications. The consultation closed on 26 March 2026. CASA subsequently published a summary of responses on 7 April, noting broad industry support for the direction of the AC and its alignment with SORA 2.5. A few concerns were recorded about the framework being optimised for aeroplane and multirotor RPAS and not adequately catering for novel or non-standard operations, including airships and high-altitude platforms and the need for supporting tools and calculators to reduce complexity and improve efficiency for both applicants and CASA.  

For operators seeking BVLOS or higher-risk approvals in Australia, the AusSORA framework will become the standard risk assessment methodology. The transition from TMI 2024-03 to a formal AC signals CASA's intent to embed SORA-based assessments permanently within the Australian regulatory architecture.

3. CASA reports on large-drone maintenance approvals consultation

CASA on 4 March 2026 published a summary of consultation on proposals to simplify approval processes for maintenance of large remotely piloted aircraft. CASA confirmed that it would streamline maintenance approvals without changing the underlying competency standards, with amendments and guidance to follow. The changes are aimed at reducing administrative burden for operators of larger platforms used in cargo, survey, and emergency response operations.

4. CASA expands broad-area BVLOS trial

CASA announced an expansion of its broad-area BVLOS trial programme, covering over 500,000 hectares across 19 designated areas with eight operators participating. Under the trial, a self-assessment model replaces case-by-case approvals, allowing operators meeting prescribed criteria to commence BVLOS operations without individual authorisation from CASA for each flight. The trial builds on the four BVLOS trial pathways launched in October 2025, which we reported in our first edition.

United Arab Emirates

1. GCAA imposes and extends total suspension of drone operations

The General Civil Aviation Authority ('GCAA') issued Safety Decision 2026-03 Issue 01 on 28 February 2026, suspending all existing drone approvals and authorisations with immediate effect and prohibiting UAS and light sport aircraft operations in UAE airspace. The suspension, issued in the context of heightened regional security, was initially framed as a one-week measure subject to review.

As of the date of this edition's publication, the suspension remains in force and no timeline for reinstatement has been announced. The progressive expansion of the scope from drones and light sport aircraft to balloons and specialised operations only demonstrates that operators may have to endure a longer period of restricted operations, unlikely to be lifted before the current regional politics settles.

For operators active in the UAE, compliance requires monitoring GCAA official channels for any exemption or reinstatement announcements. Operators holding existing approvals should note that those approvals are currently suspended, not revoked - the distinction will matter when operations resume.

2. GCAA extends suspension to balloon and specialised operations

The General Civil Aviation Authority ('GCAA') on 27 March 2026 issued Safety Decision 2026-03 Issue 02, extending the nationwide drone and light sport aircraft suspension to include balloon operations and Part-SPO specialised operations within UAE airspace. Part-SPO covers commercial aerial work including surveying, infrastructure inspection, agricultural operations, and aerial photography. The extension applies unless the GCAA has granted a specific written exemption to the operator. No blanket exemption categories have been published.

Issue 02 broadens the scope of Safety Decision 2026-03 Issue 01, issued on 28 February 2026, which suspended all drone and light sport aircraft approvals. The GCAA reaffirmed the prohibition on 10 March 2026, describing it as "mandatory for all operators without exception." The progressive widening of the suspension to cover the full range of low-altitude civilian aviation, not only unmanned systems, signals a security posture that extends well beyond the drone sector. As of the date of this edition, no timeline for reinstatement has been announced.

Operators holding Part-SPO authorisations for work in the UAE should note that existing approvals are suspended, not revoked. Individual written exemption applications remain the only route to continued operations.

3. US approves USD 2.1 billion counter-drone system sale to UAE

The United States on 23 March 2026 approved an emergency sale of the FS-LIDS (Fixed-Site Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System) counter-drone system to the UAE, valued at USD 2.1 billion. The package includes 10 fixed-site systems and 240 Coyote Block 2 interceptors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio bypassed Congressional review under emergency provisions.

The sale is directly linked to the security environment that prompted the GCAA's drone suspension. For drone manufacturers with counter-UAS capabilities, the sale signals both the scale of demand in the region and the premium placed on proven systems during active threat periods.

Canada

1. Health Canada consults on permitting pesticide application by RPAS

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency published Regulatory Proposal PRO2026-01 consulting on whether to permit pesticide application by remotely piloted aircraft systems for products currently registered for aerial application. The consultation addresses the regulatory gap between traditional manned aerial spraying and RPAS-based application, which is already being deployed in several jurisdictions globally, including under India's Namo Drone Didi scheme and similar agricultural drone programmes in the US and Australia.

The proposal does not create a new permit category but examines whether existing aerial application registrations can be extended to RPAS platforms without separate product-level re-registration. The outcome will directly affect agricultural drone operators in Canada and could serve as a precedent for how other jurisdictions with mature pesticide regulation frameworks accommodate RPAS application.

2. ISED consultation on dedicated RPAS spectrum closes

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ('ISED') closed its consultation on a policy, licensing, and technical framework for dedicated RPAS spectrum in the 5030–5091 MHz band on 27 February 2026. The band is intended for command-and-control (C2) links for RPAS, which is a critical infrastructure requirement for BVLOS operations. The allocation of dedicated spectrum for drone C2 links is a necessary precondition for scaling BVLOS operations safely, and the outcome of the ISED consultation will determine whether Canadian operators have access to protected spectrum or continue to rely on shared commercial bands.

3. Vancouver Transit Police deploys drones ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Vancouver Transit Police confirmed operational deployment of three drones between 25 and 31 March 2026, with nine trained officers. The deployment is reported to be part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with seven matches scheduled in Vancouver between June and July 2026.  This is for three main situations: intrusions on elevated guideways and tunnels, critical incidents involving trains and buses and crowd management at stations during major events where there’s an incident and response time matters. The agency will also post an FAQ on their website, per reports, which offers transparency.

This represents one of the first confirmed police drone programmes in a Canadian transit authority and follows the broader global pattern of law enforcement agencies scaling drone capabilities for major event security, a theme also reflected in the FAA's World Cup TFR announcements and the proposed US Counter Drone State and Local Defender Act discussed in the US section above.