Insight: Weaponised hobby drones causing a headache for Mideast security
On the evening of April 21 gunfire was heard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a recreational drone was shot down by Saudi security forces as it flew into unauthorised space near the Royal Palace.
Although references to the UAV as a ‘toy drone’ in some reports give the incident a comical air, the seemingly disproportionate response is understandable in context. Saudi Arabia and its capital have been targeted frequently by Houthi drone attacks, as the Saudi-led coalition continues its fight against the Iranian-backed group in its ongoing conflict in neighbouring Yemen.
This latest incident also throws a spotlight on the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Teledyne FLIR stays ahead of the pack on MTRS Increment II]()
Teledyne FLIR stays ahead of the pack on MTRS Increment II
US Army Contracting Command keeps faith in Teledyne FLIR with a new MTRS Increment II deal.
-
![Hermes takes off in Switzerland]()
Hermes takes off in Switzerland
The ADS-15 UAV (the Swiss designation for the Hermes 900) performed its first test flight on 15 June before planned transfer to the Swiss Air Force in the second half of the year.
-
![Kappa optronics joins Eurodrone supplier base]()
Kappa optronics joins Eurodrone supplier base
Kappa optronics has received an order from Airbus to provide company materials for the multinational Eurodrone programme.
-
![Luxembourg, Leonardo and Skydweller sign off on solar-powered UAV collaboration]()
Luxembourg, Leonardo and Skydweller sign off on solar-powered UAV collaboration
A new agreement between Luxembourg, Leonardo and Skydweller will focus on UAS ISR opportunities.
-
![Eurosatory 2022: Aeronautics unveils VTOL Orbiter 4 and new Trojan system]()
Eurosatory 2022: Aeronautics unveils VTOL Orbiter 4 and new Trojan system
Israeli UASs have been a visible fixture of the Eurosatory 2022 defence exhibition in Paris.
