Low-altitude economy in ASEAN countries: What are governments doing?
Southeast Asian nations gaining ground in terms of infrastructure.
In the low-altitude economy, which is heavily dominated by China, the giant's peers in neigbouring Southeast Asia are moving to take advantage of the burgeoning sector.
Whilst commercial activities in airspace below 1,000 m are yet to be developed in places like Brunei and Lao PDR, other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members such as Malaysia and Singapore are gaining ground when it comes to drones and unmanned traffic management (UTM).
Earlier this year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore picked technology firm and Deeeplabs partner Thales for the delivery of an integrated UTM system designed to approve and track unmanned aircraft operations in the country.
In April, responding to a motion pertaining to the low-altitude economy in Singapore, Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling said: "With drone technology becoming more mature, we can do more.
"We are studying the approaches in overseas jurisdictions, and will adapt what is relevant to Singapore's operating environment."
The senior minister acknowledged the opportunity to learn from China, which is the world's biggest drone market and where the term "low-altitude economy" came from.
"Chinese cities are trialling drones for a multitude of urban use cases – including food and parcel deliveries, high-rise facade inspections, traffic monitoring and enforcement, and search and rescue operations – many of which Singapore may also wish to explore," she noted.
"The Chinese government has also provided strong support for companies involved in drone development and production, in the form of tax reliefs, subsidies, and industrial parks."
Indeed, the low-altitude economy in China is considered a national strategic priority, as set out in the country's 2026-2030 economic plan. Such is China's influence in the sector that nations like Thailand send delegations to learn about electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the wider industry.
"The visit reflects CAAT's commitment to monitoring and studying emerging aviation technologies under the concept of advanced air mobility, whilst preparing Thailand's regulatory framework, standards, and oversight mechanisms to support the future introduction and operation of eVTOL aircraft in Thailand," the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) stated in August, referring to a technical visit conducted in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the government is carrying out what is known as the Unmanned Valley Ecosystem pilot project.
Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Sim Tze Tzin was quoted by The Star as having told news agency Bernama recently: "The government under the National Aerospace Industry Corp of Malaysia is planning to establish an 'unmanned valley', where all flights, including the vertiport system, can be tested."
Back in July, the Droneport-1000 initiative was launched in Malaysia to support the Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) whilst further developing the country's low-altitude economy through a proposed test and evaluation facility.
"Droneport-1000 has the potential to be a game-changer for Sabak Bernam," SABDA Economic Development Zone Head and Selangor Aviation Technology and Innovation CEO Puan Zannifa Azura binti Ahmad commented.
"Its applications can extend across agriculture, fisheries, logistics, tourism, conservation, and public services, creating new opportunities for businesses and communities throughout the district."
Selangor State Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs and Innovation Culture Dr Mohammad Fahmi bin Ngah added that it's the government's role to ensure that the necessary infrastructure, talent, and ecosystem are in place.
He pointed out: "By bringing together technology, digital infrastructure, and collaboration across government, academia, and industry, we are creating a platform that supports innovation whilst preparing Malaysia for the future of unmanned aviation."
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, the Ministry of National Development Planning in Indonesia is working on policy development and ecosystem building for the low-altitude economy, whilst a tiered low-altitude airspace is being considered in Vietnam as the country builds a comprehensive ecosystem for unmanned aerial vehicles. In the Philippines, areas of focus include applications of the technology in farming and logistics.
