MOD is the first in Slovakia to establish geo-zones for drones
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- Date: 18.06.2025
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The Ministry of Defence has become the first institution in Slovakia to establish and put into practice the official geographical zones (geo-zones) for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This marks a historic milestone in airspace management and a distinctive contribution to the protection of the State's defence interests and to the safe integration of drones into SVK airspace.
Geo-zones are the designated geographical portions of airspace where UAS operations may be facilitated, restricted or prohibited and where prior authorisation to fly a drone may be required from pertinent authorities. The aim of the geo-zones is to protect sensitive military sites against unauthorised UAS operations, minimise UAS-related incidents, and ensure the SVK Forces' uninterrupted execution of training and operational tasks.
Reflecting on the establishment and use of UAS geo-zones, Nofal Kattan, Director of the Military Aviation Authority Office, said: “It was an honour for me to have led this process on behalf of the Military Aviation Authority Office, while closely liaising with our colleagues from the Slovak Armed Forces. We are the first in Slovakia to have managed to put this step into practice. We see the use of geo-zones as an indispensable tool for the protection and modernisation of SVK airspace.”
Consistent with EU legislation – especially Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft, geo-zones are part of the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Concept, which ensures dynamic digital management of UAS operations. Largely thanks to the MOD, Slovakia has joined other EU countries that are legislatively and technologically prepared to handle UAS operations across its territory.
Geo-zones are the designated geographical portions of airspace where UAS operations may be facilitated, restricted or prohibited and where prior authorisation to fly a drone may be required from pertinent authorities. The aim of the geo-zones is to protect sensitive military sites against unauthorised UAS operations, minimise UAS-related incidents, and ensure the SVK Forces' uninterrupted execution of training and operational tasks.
Reflecting on the establishment and use of UAS geo-zones, Nofal Kattan, Director of the Military Aviation Authority Office, said: “It was an honour for me to have led this process on behalf of the Military Aviation Authority Office, while closely liaising with our colleagues from the Slovak Armed Forces. We are the first in Slovakia to have managed to put this step into practice. We see the use of geo-zones as an indispensable tool for the protection and modernisation of SVK airspace.”
Consistent with EU legislation – especially Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft, geo-zones are part of the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Concept, which ensures dynamic digital management of UAS operations. Largely thanks to the MOD, Slovakia has joined other EU countries that are legislatively and technologically prepared to handle UAS operations across its territory.
