CAIRO — Egypt recently passed a law prohibiting the operation of a drone without a permit. Penalties range from one year in prison plus fines to capital punishment for using drones for acts of terrorism that result in death. Despite concerns over the expanded use of drones in Egypt and the strict controls imposed, Cairo is taking major steps in the development and manufacturing of such aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Retired Gen. Nabil Abu al-Naja told Al-Monitor, “I expect Egypt to become one of the leading countries in the manufacture of such aircraft, and this will help the country fight terrorism at a low cost without importing such devices from abroad.” He added, “The manufacture of UAVs will help support all fields requiring such vehicles. When terrorist attacks against Egypt decline, the country is set to witness a boom in [regulated] UAV manufacturing, circulation and use."

Last year, engineering students at the University of Alexandria designed a drone that can be made entirely in Egypt, Al Bawaba News reported in March.

Parliament member Mohammed al-Suwaidi, head of a major parliamentary bloc, the Support Egypt Coalition, told Al-Monitor that while the law limits drones, "It does not completely prevent their use. It only stipulates the need for the Ministry of Defense’s pre-approval. This reflects the parliament’s awareness of the importance of such devices, which are now used by several media outlets and construction companies."