On 14 July 2026, the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the licensing arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), issued Circular No. 15/2026 to every licensed establishment that sells, supplies, or trades drone parts and components.
The short version: the counter now has a checkpoint. Walk into a shop for a flight controller, a set of motors, or a full airframe, and the seller is obliged to check your paperwork before anything changes hands.
What Circular 15/2026 Actually Requires
The circular directs all concerned establishments in Abu Dhabi to adhere to three controls, effective from the date of issuance:
- No sale without verified approvals. Establishments must not sell or supply any drone parts or components unless they have verified that the purchaser holds the necessary approvals and permits from the competent authorities.
- Full buyer records. Sellers must accurately record and retain the end user's information, including identification details, contact information, and details of the product sold, and maintain those records in line with applicable legislation.
- Cooperation with authorities. Establishments must comply with all instructions issued by the competent authorities on the sale, supply, and trading of drone parts and components, and provide data and information on request.
ADRA states that legal action will be taken against any party found in violation, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
What That Looks Like at the Counter
| Control | What it means for a buyer |
|---|---|
| Permit verification | Bring proof of your GCAA registration or operator approvals. No paperwork, no purchase. |
| Buyer records | Expect your Emirates ID and contact details to be recorded and kept on file with the product details. |
| Authority requests | Your purchase history can be shared with regulators on demand. Anonymous sourcing is over. |
Why Now: The Wider 2026 Tightening
The circular is not an isolated move. Across the UAE, the regulatory net around unmanned aviation has been drawing tighter all year:
- Registration is universal. Drones must be registered with the GCAA before flight, and flights involving photography or videography carry additional permit requirements.
- Radio spectrum is now regulated in detail. In June 2026, the TDRA published Version 3.0 of its Regulations for Unmanned Aircraft Radio Systems, covering the frequencies and licensing behind every drone link.
- Commercial work demands an operator certificate. Flying commercially without the required authorization exposes a business to substantial fines and license suspension.
Controlling the hardware supply chain closes the loop. Registration governs the aircraft, permits govern the flight, and now the point of sale governs the parts.
What It Means If You Just Need Aerial Data
For developers, contractors, and asset owners, the calculation has shifted. Standing up an in-house drone capability now means permits before purchase, registration before flight, radio compliance, insurance, and trained certified pilots. That overhead makes sense for a fleet. For a monthly progress flight or a single mapping campaign, it rarely does.
Working with a licensed operator sidesteps the entire chain. The approvals, the aircraft, the records, and the pilots are already in place, and the compliance burden stays off your books.
The Bottom Line
Circular 15/2026 makes Abu Dhabi's position clear: drone hardware is regulated equipment, from the shelf to the sky. If your establishment trades in parts, build your verification and record keeping now. If you fly your own aircraft, keep your approvals current and expect to show them when you buy.
And if you simply need the output, the orthomosaic, the inspection report, the film, COENGR EYE operates fully licensed across Abu Dhabi and the UAE, with compliance handled from first permit to final delivery.