Azerbaijan sets legal rules for autonomous drones

Amendments to the law "On Aviation" are aimed at legally regulating technologies related to autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, Report informs, citing Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

For the first time, the legislation defines the concepts of "autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle," "autonomous UAV operator" and "remote control center."

The amendments establish levels of automation, from high to full, where control, monitoring and decision-making are carried out by the system without human involvement.

The operation of autonomous UAVs will be allowed only with registration and operation certificates or an activity permit. Operators will be required to monitor control systems, store operational data for at least six months and ensure its protection.

Autonomous UAV flights will be carried out only in specially designated geographical zones with permission from the flight control center.

Operators wishing to operate in controlled airspace must submit data electronically three hours before departure.