Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) have become increasingly relevant in the African continent due to its capability to advance issues related to peace and security. However, the proliferation of UAV’s whether it is armed or unarmed is becoming a security challenge for nation states because of the concerns associated with privacy, public safety and the utilisation of drones by non-state actors for malicious purposes. The accessibility, affordability and capability to be weaponised positions UAVs as a threat to maintaining security. In contrast, the use of technological advancement such as UAVs contribute to the outcome of the African Union Agenda 2063 by establishing a more peaceful and security orientated Africa. Nevertheless, in the South African armed forces context, contextual challenges such as continued budgetary constraints, and a limited integration of technology may hinder this advancement of Agenda 2063. This paper conceptually explores UAVs as a 21st century threat through the theoretical lens of Securitisation Theory (ST) within the South African armed forces context. ST allows for the exploration of threats emerging in a social context by highlighting the security actors involved and the social value placed on the meaning of threats. The focus on UAVs with a South African armed forces context provides a nuanced perspective on security, particularly through the speech act. The paper further explores the contextual and security challenges that UAVs pose to national security as well as the various attempts by securitising actors to elevate UAVs as an emerging threat in the SA armed forces context. The author argues that exploring the securitisation of UAVs within the South African armed forces context allows for a critical discourse of its effectiveness within the maintenance of security in South Africa. This paper aims to contribute to the global debate on UAVs and add to the dearth of literature on the securitisation of drones in the South African armed forces context.