Bahrain Proposes Severe Penalties for Illegal Drone Use

Bahrain’s Shura Council is set to be informed on Sunday of Decree‑Law No 41 of 2026, issued by King Hamad to amend the 2013 Civil Aviation Law.

Proposed Penalties and Offences

Under the revised legislation, anyone who endangers the country’s airspace by operating a drone could receive a prison sentence of up to seven years. If the drone is used for terrorist purposes or to target critical infrastructure, the penalty may be life imprisonment, and the death penalty could apply when such actions result in a fatality.

Unauthorised filming of restricted zones, military activities or private matters would attract a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to BD3,000. The same range of punishment applies to reckless drone flights, unauthorised aerial photography or recording, and the illicit gathering of data through remote‑sensing technology.

Operating a drone without a licence, importing or possessing one illegally, or engaging in unapproved manufacturing, maintenance, modification or training could lead to imprisonment, a fine of up to BD3,000, or either sanction.

More serious violations carry a ceiling of seven years behind bars. These include seizing or taking control of a drone, flying it in a way that jeopardises airspace safety, hacking its control systems, arming it with weapons, explosives or hazardous materials, or using jamming equipment without permission. The law also penalises the use of drones to intercept, interfere with or disrupt communications.

When drone‑related offences are committed for terrorist aims or against military and security facilities, critical infrastructure, oil installations or official motorcades, the toughest sanctions apply. Life imprisonment may be imposed for such crimes or when drone operations hinder the duties of military and security authorities. If any offence causes a death, the court may opt for the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Regulatory and Institutional Reforms

The amendments create a dedicated legal framework for unmanned aircraft, tighten controls over their use and introduce stricter penalties for acts that threaten public safety, national security or personal privacy.

A broad prohibition covers operating, importing, exporting, selling, renting, possessing or modifying drones and their parts without authorisation. Even attaching cameras or other recording equipment to a drone would require prior approval, together with clearance from the Bahrain Defence Force and the Interior Ministry where relevant.

Flying over prohibited or restricted areas, establishing drone‑related infrastructure, and developing or maintaining drone systems are also subject to the new controls.

The Bahrain Defence Force, Interior Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority would receive authority to take immediate preventive steps against drones that endanger airspace security or enter restricted, prohibited or dangerous areas without permission.

Decree‑Law No 41 also restructures the civil aviation sector by establishing the Civil Aviation Authority as a financially and administratively independent legal entity under ministerial oversight. A president appointed by royal decree would head the body, which would be responsible for aviation safety and security, airport operations, air navigation, aircraft airworthiness, licensing and compliance with international standards.

The authority would be empowered to create state‑owned or partially state‑owned companies, or to acquire shares in existing firms, subject to Cabinet endorsement.

Investigation Authority and Enforcement Measures

A new Accident and Aircraft Incident Investigation Office will be placed under the Cabinet. It will investigate accidents and serious incidents involving Bahraini‑registered aircraft abroad, as well as aircraft operated by airlines headquartered in Bahrain, collect and analyse safety data, determine causes and recommend preventive actions.

Obstructing investigators, interfering with their work or deliberately concealing, destroying or altering evidence could lead to six months to two years in prison and fines ranging from BD1,000 to BD10,000. Unauthorised release of confidential investigation information would attract fines between BD500 and BD5,000.

Finally, the amendments grant authorities the power, with prior approval from the Civil Aviation Authority, to temporarily ground aircraft or bar individuals from exercising pilot licences, certificates or permits when safety concerns justify such measures.