BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. Uzbekistan plans
to expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles across key economic
sectors, develop domestic drone production and introduce a unified
digital system to regulate their operation, following a
presentation reviewed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on November
4.
According to the presidential press service, the presentation
focused on increasing the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for
civilian purposes and establishing a regulatory framework to
support the sector's development.
Drone technologies are increasingly being used worldwide in
agriculture, industry, transportation, urban development and
services. Their application can improve production efficiency,
reduce operating costs, optimize resource use and create new
jobs.
In agriculture, drones can be used to monitor crops, apply
agricultural treatments and assess yields. In industry, they can
help monitor production processes and infrastructure, while in
urban areas they can support traffic monitoring and road
management.
The global drone market is estimated to grow by 10%–15%
annually. Wider adoption of these technologies in Uzbekistan could
accelerate economic growth, increase demand for highly skilled
professionals and create opportunities for new technology-based
industries.
The proposals presented to Mirziyoyev also focused on creating
favorable conditions for private businesses and investors operating
in the civilian drone sector.
At the same time, officials emphasized the need for modern
regulations to ensure flight safety and protect citizens' privacy.
Proposed measures include establishing unified rules for drone
operations, registration and flight coordination, as well as
mechanisms for damage compensation and insurance.
One of the key proposals involves creating a unified digital
information system containing data on unmanned aerial vehicles,
clearly defining permitted flight zones and introducing
standardized procedures for their operation.
Moreover, the presentation addressed workforce development and
the creation of an innovation and training ecosystem. Uzbekistan
plans to introduce specialized training programs in unmanned aerial
systems at the Transport University from the next academic year,
combining academic instruction with practical training.
Following the presentation, Mirziyoyev instructed responsible
officials to prepare proposals for improving legislation based on
international best practices. The proposed reforms are aimed at
expanding the use of drones across economic sectors, developing
domestic manufacturing and creating more favorable conditions for
businesses and investors.
