U.S. Expands Drone Restrictions, Adds DJI and Autel to National Security Risk List
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expanded its restrictions on foreign-made drones, adding China’s DJI, Autel, and all overseas drone manufacturers and components to its “Covered List.” The agency said on Monday that the decision follows a national security review that identified significant risks linked to imported drone technologies.
FCC Bars Approval of New Drone Models
The FCC’s ruling prevents DJI, Autel, and other foreign drone makers from obtaining approval to import or sell new drone models or critical components in the United States. Such approval is mandatory for all wireless communication devices sold domestically. Existing drones already authorised by the FCC are unaffected, and consumers may continue to operate previously purchased drones legally.
This move marks a major escalation in Washington’s campaign to reduce reliance on Chinese drone technology. It follows the Commerce Department’s announcement in September of plans to restrict Chinese drone imports. The FCC said it received an interagency review, coordinated by the White House, which concluded that imported drones pose threats including unauthorised surveillance, data theft, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
DJI Expresses Disappointment at the Decision
DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, voiced disappointment at the decision. “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 said. DJI warned earlier that being placed on the Covered List would effectively block it from offering new drone models in the U.S. market. The company currently accounts for more than half of commercial drone sales in the country.
The FCC clarified that the Pentagon could later determine certain drones or categories as non-threatening and remove them from the restrictions. However, the ruling aligns with a broader U.S. effort to promote domestic production of drone technologies.
National Security and Political Support
Sebastian Gorka, senior director of counterterrorism at the National Security Council, described the move as a necessary step to ensure that “drones are made in the USA.” He emphasised that drones represent a key component of America’s future security infrastructure. Republican Representative Rick Crawford also backed the decision, saying that Chinese-made drones had long posed “a counterintelligence nightmare.”
DJI has argued that the restrictions could harm U.S. law enforcement and emergency services. The company said that more than 80% of the nation’s 1,800 state and local agencies using drones rely on DJI technology, which could now face supply disruptions.
In related developments, Chinese manufacturer Hikvision has challenged the FCC’s restrictions in court, seeking to overturn the agency’s authority to block approvals for devices linked to companies on the Covered List. The decision also follows a September ruling in which a U.S. judge rejected DJI’s bid to be removed from the Defence Department’s list of firms allegedly tied to China’s military.
with inputs from Reuters
