Proposal to Maintain Business Regulations for Drones Amid Security Concerns

During a discussion at the National Assembly, a proposal to ease business regulations for drones (UAVs) faced calls to maintain existing controls due to national defense, security, and aviation safety concerns. The draft law on amending and supplementing Article 6 and Appendix IV of the Law on Investment proposes removing UAV business activities from the list of conditional investment and business lines. Specifically, while import and re-export of UAVs and related equipment, as well as research, manufacturing, testing, repair, and maintenance, would still be subject to conditions, the business of selling UAVs, engines, propellers, and related equipment is proposed for deregulation. However, Delegate Trịnh Xuân An, a member of the National Assembly's Committee for Defense and Security, argued that this approach lacks logical consistency. He questioned why the business of selling and distributing UAVs domestically would not require conditions if imports are regulated for national defense and security reasons. Conversely, if specialized laws are sufficient to manage the entire process, the government must clarify why import conditions are still necessary, he stated. An emphasized that the decision to maintain or remove business conditions should be based on a risk assessment of the entire process, not isolated stages. Therefore, he proposed including all UAV-related activities – import-export, business, research, manufacturing, testing, repair, and maintenance – in the list of conditional business investments. He further highlighted the dual-use nature of UAVs, which can be used for production, agriculture, logistics, and rescue, but can also directly impact national defense, security, aviation safety, and social order if misused or modified. An urged that even with deregulation, comprehensive risk assessments for each stage from import to use are necessary to avoid regulatory gaps. General Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, also supported continued control over UAV business activities, citing direct impacts on national security. He warned that uncontrolled components could be easily assembled into drones, posing risks of aviation accidents or terrorist use. Recent incidents underscore these concerns. In June 2025, a UAV sighting caused temporary suspension of operations at Thọ Xuân Airport. In the first six months of 2025, Nội Bài Airport recorded three incursions by drones and flycams into its flight zone, with four such incidents occurring in 2024. An acknowledged the draft law's broader reform efforts, including reducing 58 conditional business sectors and amending 16 others, which he believes will lower compliance costs and facilitate business. However, he cautioned that reductions must be "correct and precise," not merely quantitative. He stressed the need for the government to explain the rationale behind deregulation and outline alternative management tools. Information Source: VnExpress