3 days ago
Inaugural Ibn Firnas Summit on drone technology held in Muscat
Muscat – Chinese drone manufacturer DJI's Matrice 400 (M400) was launched in Oman on Monday during the inaugural Ibn Firnas Summit in Muscat.
Organised by Ibn Firnas Drone Center in partnership with Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, the summit was held under the patronage of Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Undersecretary for Housing. It highlighted recent advances in drone technology and application of these in urban planning, infrastructure and smart city development.
A live demonstration showcased the M400's capabilities in aerial surveying, 3D mapping and use across sectors such as utilities, energy, telecommunications, agriculture and security.
Mohammed bin Abdullah al Harthy, CEO of Ibn Firnas Drone Center which is the exclusive DJI dealer in Oman, described the summit was a turning point in creating a national framework for drone technology. 'Our role extends beyond supplying drones. Through Firnas Academy, Firnas Innovation Lab and our technical support facility – the first of its kind in Oman – we are developing skills, solutions and expertise for the drone sector,' he said.
Technical sessions addressed practical uses of drones in water, electricity and telecommunications. Officials from Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, Nama Group and Omantel shared examples of how drones can improve efficiency, cut costs and speed up projects in support of smart city initiatives.
A panel discussion featuring Ibn Firnas Drone Center, DJI and the Civil Aviation Authority officials examined future regulations and the role of drones in national development.
Ferdinand Ma, Regional Partnerships Manager for Middle East and North Africa at DJI, said Oman's decision to launch the M400 reflects growing confidence in the drones market. 'Our partnership with Ibn Firnas Drone Center allows us to deliver integrated solutions and reinforces Oman's position as a regional hub for this industry.'
Since its establishment, Ibn Firnas Drone Center has completed more than 200 projects covering sales, training, maintenance, industrial applications and anti-drone technologies, supplied over 1,000 drones and logged more than 7,000 flight hours.
The Ibn Firnas Summit is expected to be held annually, serving as a platform for collaborations and knowledge exchange in line with Oman Vision 2040 objectives.
