Israel Tightens Drone Regulations, Including Recreational Models
Israel is set to implement stricter regulations for drone operation, extending oversight to recreational and sports drones. The Ministry of Transport has published draft flight regulations that will allow the state to ground operators who violate the rules. These new regulations will also prohibit the operation of drones controlled via wire or cellular communication, with limited exceptions.
Under the proposed rules, operating a drone that does not comply with established guidelines will be considered a criminal offense. The law distinguishes between "model aircraft" used for sport and recreation and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with drones falling under the latter category. Currently, Israel has approximately 4,300 legally registered drones under 25 kilograms and about 6,000 model aircraft, alongside an unknown number of unregistered drones.
To legally operate a UAV in Israel, a pilot's license is required. Around 4,000 individuals hold such licenses, with an additional 11,000 licensed for model aircraft and 1,500 for UAVs weighing between 25 and 2,000 kilograms. Following the outbreak of the Iron Swords War in 2023, an emergency order mandated the registration of all UAVs with the IDF's monitoring system. The new regulations aim to make this monitoring permanent.
The updated system will integrate a larger number of drones, including recreational ones, into a national monitoring database. Drones will transmit identification and operational data to a dedicated server via the internet. Operators will need to register their drones with an authorized provider, who will then issue confirmation and instructions for the monitoring application. This data collection is intended for security agencies to mitigate risks posed by drone operations.
Exceptions to the regulations include miniature drones weighing up to 250 grams, a weight often utilized by manufacturers to circumvent existing flight rules. Additionally, areas remote from settlements or critical infrastructure may be designated as low-risk for drone operation. Penalties for violations will vary based on drone size, with fines ranging from approximately 620 to 14,000 shekels.
