Washington: The United States has imposed a ban on the import and sale of all new foreign drones, a decision announced by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has added Chinese and other foreign drone manufacturers to its list of companies considered an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security, effectively prohibiting the approval of new foreign drones for import or sale within the country.
According to Thai News Agency, the FCC has specified that Chinese companies DJI and Autel, among other foreign manufacturers, will not receive FCC licenses to sell new drone models or critical drone components in the U.S. However, drones that have already been licensed and purchased can still be used legally. This decision follows a comprehensive review of foreign drone risks, submitted to the FCC by multiple administrative agencies, which highlighted security threats such as unauthorized espionage, data theft, and supply chain issues.
These measures are part of a broader effort that surpasses previous actions taken by the U.S. government to limit Chinese-made drones. In September, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced plans to restrict drone imports from China, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in June to reduce reliance on Chinese drone companies. The forthcoming co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, along with concerns about potential misuse of drones, were cited by both Trump and the FCC as reasons for these restrictive measures.
DJI, the leading drone manufacturer globally, expressed disappointment with the FCC's decision, noting that despite not being directly named, the FCC did not provide details on the information that influenced its ruling. Meanwhile, China has voiced opposition to the U.S.'s interpretation of "national security," condemning it as overly broad and discriminatory. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged the U.S. to rectify its actions and foster a fair environment for Chinese enterprises.