FCC bans new foreign-made drones, citing national security risks
The US decision to ban the sale of new foreign-made drones will have a far broader impact than just the impact on pilots’ ability to access new models and parts.
Drones do much more than ruin a day at the park. Formally known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), they are an integral part of myriad sectors from real estate to agriculture to disaster mapping and engineering. The Federal Communications Commission’s decision to change which drones can be sold in the US has implications for much more than the recreational use of such devices.
On December 22, the FCC added products from Chinese drone makers DJI and Autel Robotics, as well as other foreign-made drones and critical components, to its “Covered List”, a compilation of communications technologies that have been deemed a risk to national security. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said a recent announcement The goal is to “expose US drone dominance”. In effect, this means that new models of these drones cannot be imported or sold in the US
The FCC’s decision is the latest move by the federal government to restrict Chinese technologies. Like the telecommunications and video-surveillance gear before them, drones have raised concerns among US officials over potential attacks, disruptions and surveillance. Indeed, the FCC’s announcement cited the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a portion of which will be hosted in the US, and the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations as reasons for the preemptive action.
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If you already have a foreign-made drone, you can keep it, and US retailers can sell pre-approved models. But because the FCC’s move involves critical components, it could affect the maintenance and repair of drones as batteries, controllers and other parts become harder to obtain. The ban has created an uproar among the country’s nearly 500,000 certified commercial drone pilots: A Pilot Institute survey of the first 8,000 pilots Reported by wall street journal, found that about 43 percent believe the ban would have an “extremely negative” or “potentially business-ending impact” on their companies. Some people had already begun stockpiling drones and parts in anticipation of the decision.
Even if you’ve never flown a drone, these aircraft impact your life. Chances are your city operates at least one UAS to conduct surveillance or assist in emergency response – and it’s also possible the equipment is made overseas. Shenzhen, China-based DJI alone has 70 to 90 percent of the commercial, local-government and hobbyist market in the US, according to the company. wall street journal,
SpaxyThe Vancouver-based geospatial data company scans areas using a freelance network of paid pilots; Those pilots primarily fly DJI drones. “We depend on DJI Minis to get the job done,” says CEO Bill Lakeland. “Now we’re looking to diversify.” But US-made drones are often more expensive than foreign-made counterparts; Spexi is exploring building its own hardware.
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