How is Singapore promoting drone development?

Recognizing the potential of drones, Singapore has introduced specific legal regulations and established specialized areas for testing and developing this technology.

Delivery drone developed by Singaporean company F-drones. Photo: F-drones — Delivery drone developed by Singaporean company F-drones. Photo: *F-drones*

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are becoming more common around the world . Heron AirBridge, an innovation project supported by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), has successfully developed a prototype Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Traffic Management (UTM) system, becoming a pioneer UTM technology company in Southeast Asia.

According to Fabrice Ancey, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Singapore-based startup Heron Airbridge, "not only transportation, but more and more other fields are using this type of vehicle. For example, agriculture uses drones to observe and spray crops. They can also help with monitoring, delivery... serving the development of smart industry."

Founded in 2022, Heron AirBridge is set to thrive thanks to support from the Singapore government . Ancey likens the LaunchPad@one-north complex, managed by Singapore government agency JTC, to “Singapore’s Silicon Valley.” He says it has all the ecosystem to support new ideas to continue to grow.

How is Singapore promoting drone development? — JTC LaunchPad@One-North Center. Video: *LaunchPad*

Like many other countries, Singapore is looking to capitalize on the opportunities and advantages that drones bring. Singapore is also emerging as a pioneer in the region in developing and applying drone technology. The government of this country believes that drone technology can contribute significantly to economic, social and environmental development.

A major milestone came in 2017 when Singapore included drones in its Smart Nation strategy. The strategy aims to harness and apply drone technology in a way that can improve the quality of life for its citizens. Singapore also enacted the Drones (Public Safety and Security) Act, which provides a clear set of rules for drone operations. Rather than restricting drone use, the introduction of such a legal framework, coupled with the active support of the Singapore government, has created an environment where drone technology can flourish safely and reliably, according to Skyports.

In addition, Singapore has established testing areas to facilitate drone development. For example, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) established a Maritime Drone Facility in 2021. Located near Marina South and its anchorage, the facility provides a convenient space to test and develop drone technology for maritime applications such as shore-to-ship deliveries and remote ship inspections.

“CAAS has set out regulations for drones in Singapore. In Singapore, there are testing areas such as the One-North Drone Facility and the Maritime Drone Facility. Companies interested in testing and developing drone technology can do so in these areas, and then apply it to urban and controlled maritime areas,” said Tan Kah Han, senior director of unmanned systems at CAAS.

Singapore is now home to more than 40 drone startups, according to Tracxn . These include F-Drones, the first company in Singapore to receive CAAS approval to deliver beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drones to ships in the country in 2020, and Aerolion Technologies, a company funded by government agencies to develop building-cleaning drones and other drone models.

Thu Thao

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