+ Tabuk is a strategically significant military region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, home to King Faisal Air Base and various Saudi Armed Forces installations. The area hosts active military aviation and defence operations, making the surrounding airspace highly sensitive and tightly controlled. Unauthorised drone activity near military facilities poses serious national security risks and is treated accordingly under Saudi law.
+ Saudi Arabia's drone regulations are governed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, which enforces strict no-fly zones around military sites, government installations, and sensitive infrastructure. Flying a drone near a military area without explicit written authorisation is a criminal offence under Saudi law and can result in immediate detention, confiscation of equipment, and significant legal penalties.
+ Foreign nationals and tourists are particularly advised to exercise extreme caution, as drone use near military zones can be treated as espionage or a security threat regardless of intent. Even commercial operators with GACA licensing are unlikely to receive approval for operations near active military installations without direct coordination with defence authorities.
+ Pilots should assume all airspace around military areas in Tabuk is a hard no-fly zone and seek formal written clearance from both GACA and relevant military authorities before any operation is considered.