The Federal Communications Commission(FCC) has said that it would ban new foreign-made drones.
The move will keep new Chinese-made drones such as those from DJI and Autel out of the US market.
The announcement came a year after Congress passed a defense bill that raised national security concerns about Chinese-made drones, which have become a dominant player in the US, widely used in farming, mapping, law enforcement and filmmaking.
The bill called for stopping the two Chinese companies from selling new drones in the US if a review found that they posed a risk to American national security. The deadline for the review was December 23, 2025.
According to the FCC, 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 US persons.”
However, it said that specific drones or components would be exempt if the Pentagon or Department of Homeland Security determined that they did not pose such risks.
The FCC cited upcoming major events, such as the 2026 World Cup, America250 celebrations and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as reasons to address potential drone threats posed by “criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists.”
Michael Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer of AUVSI, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said in a statement that the industry group welcomes the decision.
He stressed that it’s time for the US not only to reduce its dependence on China but build its own drones.
Citing Beijing’s willingness to restrict critical supplies such as rare earth magnets to serve its strategic interests, Robbins said, “Recent history underscores why the United States must increase domestic drone production and secure its supply chains.”
Arthur Erickson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of the drone-making company Hylio, said that the departure of DJI would provide much-needed room for American companies like his to grow.
He disclosed that new investments are pouring in to help him ramp up production of spray drones, which farmers use to fertilize their fields, and it will bring down prices.
However, he also called it “crazy” and “unexpected” that the FCC should expand the scope to all foreign-made drones and drone components.
“The way it’s written is a blanket statement. There’s a global allied supply chain. I hope they will clarify that.”
Arthur Erickson
DJI Disappointed By FCC Decision
DJI said that it was disappointed by the FCC decision.
It said in a statement that 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 that concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead “reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market.”
Gene Robinson has a fleet of nine DJI drones that he uses for law enforcement training and forensic analyses. He said that 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.
Nonetheless, he said that he understands the decision and lamented that the US had outsourced the manufacturing to China.
“Now, we are paying the price. 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.”
Gene Robinson
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