Unmanned Aircraft Over 250g Must Be Equipped With “Digital licence plate” by December 2025

Acting as a “digital licence plate” for UA, the B-RID uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology to transmit crucial information such as the UA’s position, serial number and the operator’s location, for identification and safety purposes.

Exceptions of B-RID implementation would include when the UA is operated indoors or in an enclosed environment, or when the UA operator has an Operator Permit and uses the FlyItSafe mobile app during authorised operations.

In its announcement on 2 September, CAAS notes that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have implemented similar B-RID requirements in the US in September 2023, and in Europe during January this year.

Currently, majority of the new UA in the market and over half of the registered UA with CAAS in 2024 would already have come equipped with B-RID modules. Owners of existing UA lacking B-RID will have a year to meet this requirement.

To support the B-RID adoption and facilitate the transition, CAAS plans to cover the expenses of the B-RID module unit and installation for eligible UA owners who apply between January 1 and March 31, 2025. Applicants past this period will be expected to bear all applicable costs on their own. The cost of a B-RID module can range from S$120 to S$250.

Additionally, educational resources will be provided to guide UA users on the purchase of a UA or suitable B-RID module and the necessary checks to ensure proper functioning of the module for their UA.