In a decisive move that will reshape the U.S. drone market, the Federal Communications Commission announced Monday it would ban all new foreign-made drones from entering the United States. The ban will keep Chinese manufacturers DJI and Autel, among others, out of the domestic market.
FCC Decision and Review
The FCC’s announcement follows a defense bill passed by Congress a year earlier that raised national-security concerns about Chinese-made drones. The bill required a review by Dec. 23 and called for the two companies to stop selling new drones if the review found a risk to U.S. national security.
The FCC said the review found that all drones and critical components produced in foreign countries, not just by the two Chinese companies, posed “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.” It added that specific drones or components would be exempt if the Pentagon or Department of Homeland Security determined they did not pose such risks.
The agency cited major upcoming events-including the 2026 World Cup, America 250 celebrations and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles-as reasons to address potential threats from “criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists.”
Impact on the Drone Industry
Industry reaction was swift. Michael Robbins, president and chief executive officer of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), said in a statement that the group welcomes the decision. He added that it is time for the United States to reduce its dependence on China and to build its own drones.
Robbins highlighted recent history, noting that “Recent history underscores why the United States must increase domestic drone production and secure its supply chains,” and cited Beijing’s willingness to restrict critical supplies such as rare earth magnets to serve its strategic interests.
DJI issued a statement expressing disappointment. It said, “While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination.” The company added, “Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market.”
In Texas, Gene Robinson operates a fleet of nine DJI drones used for law-enforcement training and forensic analyses. He said the new restrictions would hurt him and many others who have come to rely on the Chinese drones because of their versatility, high performance and affordable prices. Robinson added, “Now, we are paying the price,” and lamented that the United States had outsourced manufacturing to China. “To get back to where we had the independence, there will be some growing pains. We need to suck it up, and let’s not have it happen again.”
Also in Texas, Arthur Erickson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Hylio, said the departure of DJI would create room for American companies like his. New investments are pouring in to help him ramp up production of spray drones, which farmers use to fertilize their fields, and he expects the increased competition to bring down prices. Erickson called the FCC’s expansion of scope to all foreign-made drones and components “crazy” and “unexpected.” He said, “The way it’s written is a blanket statement,” and added, “There’s a global allied supply chain. I hope they will clarify that.”
Key Takeaways
- The FCC will ban all new foreign-made drones, affecting Chinese firms DJI and Autel.
- The decision follows a congressional defense bill and a review that found foreign drones pose unacceptable national-security risks.
- Industry voices range from support for domestic production to concerns about the breadth of the ban.
The ruling signals a significant shift in U.S. drone policy, prioritizing national security over open market competition and setting the stage for increased domestic manufacturing and regulatory scrutiny.
