Drones News 8 July 2025

Unstoppable “Unjammable” Drones: How Fiber-Optic Technology is Revolutionizing Warfare and Beyond

Fiber-optic drones transmit control commands and live video through a physical fiber tether, making them jam-proof and radio-silent. There are two main categories: Tethered Power Drones (aerial elevators such as AT&T’s Flying COW) that draw power from the ground while carrying a fiber data link, and Fiber-Optic Guided Drones (free-ranging FPVs) that carry a 5–20 km spool of cable for guided missions. Typical fiber spools range from 5 km to 20–30 km, which defines a hard operational range and creates drag and snag risks behind the drone. Russia was the first to deploy fiber-guided FPV drones in combat, with the

16 July 2025

Sydney Drone Laws 2025: New Rules, Forbidden Zones & Huge Fines – What You Need to Know

Drones in Sydney are regulated primarily by CASA nationwide under Part 101, with NSW state laws and local council bylaws adding extra restrictions. For recreational use, you don’t need a license or registration, but you must follow CASA safety rules including a maximum altitude of 120 meters, staying at least 30 meters from people, never flying over crowds, flying only in daylight with visual line of sight, and operating one drone at a time. Drones heavier than 250 grams must remain at least 5.5 kilometers from a controlled airport, while drones under 250 grams may operate within 5.5 kilometers up

16 July 2025

Drones · Fines · Laws · Safety · Sydney

Norway Drone Laws 2025: Comprehensive Guide to Regulations & Recent Updates

Norway adheres to EU drone rules since 2021, applying the Open, Specific, and Certified categories uniformly to recreational and commercial operations. In the Open category, drones must weigh under 25 kg, be kept in visual line of sight, and not exceed 120 meters above ground, with a possible exception to fly up to 15 meters above a structure taller than 120 meters if the owner consents. Drones over 250 g must maintain minimum distances from people and property, typically 30 meters from others and 150 meters from residential or commercial areas unless the drone has a class marker. Night operations

15 July 2025

2025 · Drones · Norway · Regulations · Updates

Drone Laws in Greece: 2025 Comprehensive Guide for Recreational & Commercial Pilots

Greece implements the EU Drone Regulation 2019/947 and 2019/945, effective end of 2020, using Open, Specific, and Certified risk-based categories. The Open category allows drones under 25 kg to fly up to 120 meters and in visual line-of-sight with no prior authorization if the rules are followed. Registration is required for drones over 250 g or with a camera, via the HCAA online system, with a single UAS Operator Registration Number that covers all drones and, for non-EU residents, registration must occur before flying; once registered in one EU country, it is valid across the EU. Pilots must hold the

14 July 2025

2025 · Drones · Greece · Pilots · Regulations

Comprehensive Guide to Drone Laws in Portugal (2025 Update)

Since January 1, 2021, Portugal adopted EU drone regulations (EU 2019/947 and 2019/945) under EASA, introducing Open/Specific/Certified categories. The Open category applies to drones under 25 kg operated within visual line of sight up to 120 meters altitude, with subcategories A1, A2, and A3 defining proximity to people. Operations that exceed Open limits—such as heavier drones, BVLOS, or night flights—fall into the Specific or Certified categories and require ANAC authorization after a risk assessment. Drone operator registration is mandatory for drones 250 grams or more or with cameras; you receive an operator ID valid for five years via the online

13 July 2025

Drones · Law · Permits · Portugal · Regulations

Global Drone Market in Q3 2025: Supply Chain, Geopolitics, and Export Controls

In Q3 2025 the global drone market faces significant supply-chain pressure from component shortages, tariffs, and logistics delays, with China historically dominating motor, ESC, battery, flight controller, camera, sensor, propeller, and carbon-fiber airframe production. After China tightened dual-use drone component exports in late 2024, infrared sensor exports fell by 30% and prices tripled, while U.S.-bound component volume dropped 60% and high-end infrared modules rose from $400–$500 to over $1,500. In April 2025 the United States imposed a 125% tariff on Chinese drone imports, pushing total import taxes to about 170% and lifting prices roughly 2.7x for many Chinese-made drones and

13 July 2025

Drones · Export Controls · Geopolitics · Global Market · Supply Chain

Drone Laws in Indonesia 2025: Comprehensive Guide for Hobbyists and Commercial Operators

By 2021 Indonesia had four key drone regulations—Permenhub 34/2021, 63/2021, 37/2020, and 27/2021—covering airworthiness, operational rules, airspace procedures, and enforcement. Small drones (≤25 kg) can be used for recreational or commercial purposes without individual flight permits in some cases, but must follow CASR Part 107 rules, while large drones (>25 kg) require DGCA safety approval and CASR Part 22 airworthiness certification. All drones must be registered with the DGCA via the SIPUDI online system, with registration certificates valid for 3 years and requiring details such as drone make, model, serial number, weight, owner information, and proof of insurance. A Remote

12 July 2025

2025 · Commercial Use · Drones · Hobbyists · Indonesia

Drone Laws in Malaysia (2025): Comprehensive Guide to Regulations & Permits

As of early 2025, CAAM requires a permit for every drone flight in Malaysia, with an Authorisation To Fly (ATF) permit required before take-off for all operations. Drones are categorized by weight as ‘small’ up to 20 kg and ‘large’ above 20 kg, with drones heavier than 20 kg banned from operation unless specially authorized by CAAM. Commercial and recreational operators must obtain an ATF permit for each operation, with applications requested at least 14 days before flight. Drone permit fees are RM250 per permit for drones under 20 kg and around RM1,000 for drones above 20 kg; by late

11 July 2025

Drones · Malaysia · Permits · Regulations · Technology

Drone Laws in South Africa (2025 Update)

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulates drones under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, which came into force on 1 July 2015. The 2023 amendments renamed the Remote Pilot Licence to Remote Pilot Certificate and updated related terminology, while core licensing requirements remained largely the same. The legal maximum altitude is 120 meters above ground level, with recreational pilots typically advised to stay under 50 meters unless explicitly authorized. Drones may not fly within 10 kilometers of any airport or airfield without SACAA approval and coordination with air traffic control. All operations must be conducted in Visual

10 July 2025

2025 · Drones · Laws · Regulations · South Africa

Hong Kong Drone Laws 2025: Comprehensive Guide to Regulations and Requirements

Hong Kong’s drone regime is governed by the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (Cap. 448G) under the Civil Aviation Ordinance, which took effect on June 1, 2022 and became fully enforced on December 1, 2022. The framework uses a risk-based classification with Category A1 for drones up to 250 g, Category A2 for 250 g to 7 kg, and Category B for over 7 kg up to 25 kg. Category A1 is exempt from registration and most licensing, while Category A2 requires drone and remote-pilot registration, and Category B requires CAD permission and advanced training. Registration is via the CAD Electronic

10 July 2025

2025 · Drones · Hong Kong · Regulations · Technology

Ultimate DJI Enterprise Drone Comparison (2025): Matrice vs Mavic 3 Enterprise & Thermal Models

The Matrice 350 RTK (M350) is the flagship successor to the Matrice 300 RTK, offering up to 55 minutes of flight time with no payload, up to 20 km O3 Enterprise range, IP55 weather resistance, and a top speed around 23 m/s. The Matrice 30T blends portability with a built-in multi-sensor payload—12 MP wide, 48 MP tele with 5× optical and 200× digital zoom—and a radiometric thermal camera (640×512), enabling about 41 minutes of flight and IP55 protection with hot-swap TB30 batteries. The Matrice 4 Series comprises the M4E and M4T with a triple-camera gimbal (48 MP wide, 3× tele,

9 July 2025

Comparison · DJI · Drones · Enterprise · Technology

Flying a Drone in Vienna? 2025 Laws Reveal Strict Rules, No-Fly Zones & Big Penalties

Drone operator registration is mandatory in Austria via Austro Control’s Dronespace, with a typical fee of €30–32 and a registration valid for 3 years. The Drone License (Drohnenführerschein) includes an A1/A3 basic certificate and an A2 certificate; both are EU-wide and valid for 5 years after online training and exams. Drones under 250 g with no camera are exempt from licensing and registration, and since 12 August 2022, drones under 250 g flying below 30 m in Vienna’s restricted zones do not require an Austro Control permit. From 2024, EU rules require class labels (C0, C1, C2, etc.) and Remote

8 July 2025

Aviation Laws · Drones · No-Fly Zones · Regulations · Vienna

Drones News 8 July 2025 - 16 July 2025