Ministry of Defence simplifies rules for the use of drones during wartime

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has approved amendments to regulatory acts that simplify the use of unmanned aerial vehicles during martial law and for three months after its conclusion. The updated regulations provide for the simplification of flight requirements and maintenance procedures for unmanned aerial vehicles, the ministry reported.

In particular, the state aviation flight rules, which previously applied to UAVs, no longer cover:

• disposable UAVs of all types and classes;
• Class I UAVs in the “micro” category (tactical, up to 2 kg, such as the Mavic 3);
• Class I UAVs in the “mini” category (tactical battlefield, up to 15 kg, such as the DJI Matrice 300).

It is also worth noting that most drones are no longer subject to mandatory registration as state aircraft.

The requirements for personnel operating Class I UAVs have also been revised: operators are no longer required to undergo a mandatory flight medical examination. Authorisation to operate is now granted by order of the unit commander. In addition, the crews of such drones are not subject to the medical support regulations applicable to state aviation flights.

The Ministry of Defence explained the changes as an adaptation to the realities of full-scale war. The decision was taken in response to numerous requests from the military, in particular through the Ministry of Defence’s deregulation portal.