The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah approved the draft decree-law on August 11, 2026, before referring it to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for ratification. The legislation establishes an integrated legal framework that governs registration, licensing, permits and operation of such aircraft along with associated obligations, prohibitions and penalties for violations. The Cabinet’s decision noted that the 44-article text is divided into six chapters covering general provisions, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, registration and licensing requirements, obligations and prohibitions, penalties and final provisions.
According to the Cabinet announcement the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will assume responsibility for overseeing implementation in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and relevant security and military authorities. The draft decree-law seeks to address risks that unregulated use of such aircraft could pose to air navigation safety, national security, public order, individual privacy and the safety of people and property including threats to airports and vital facilities. Kuwait News Agency reported that the measure creates a comprehensive regulatory structure where none existed previously for these emerging technologies.
The regulatory action follows Kuwait’s heightened focus on countering unmanned aerial threats with the US Department of State approving a possible $1.98 billion foreign military sale of counter-unmanned aerial systems platforms to the country in June 2026. That package includes Roadrunner-Munition, Anvil-Kinetic systems, launch boxes, command and control infrastructure, sentry towers and related training and support services according to the State Department assessment. The approval came amid reports of intercepted drones launched toward Kuwait earlier that year underscoring the security dimensions that informed the new civil regulatory framework.
In a separate decision from the same August 11, 2026, meeting the Cabinet suspended government work on Thursday, August 27, 2026, as a public holiday marking the birthday of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him for the year 1448 AH. Operations across ministries and agencies are set to resume on Saturday, August 30, 2026, under the announced schedule. The holiday declaration aligns with established annual observances while special working arrangements remain in place for essential services during the break.
The Cabinet also reviewed other items during the session including updates on regional developments but centered its aviation-related action on preventing potential misuse through structured licensing and oversight. Previous measures in Kuwait had included temporary bans on drone sales and distribution due to security concerns as documented in earlier government circulars. This decree-law shifts toward formal regulation that permits controlled use while enforcing strict compliance standards across commercial, recreational and specialized applications.
