FCC bans sale of foreign-made drones over national security concerns – News

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has banned the sale of foreign-made drones and critical drone components in the U.S.

Officials announced the move on Monday. According to the FCC, it decided to block drone imports after an interagency body determined that they “pose unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States.” The ban doesn’t apply to foreign-made autonomous aircraft already purchased by consumers.

Foreign drone makers can keep selling their equipment in the U.S. if they receive authorization to do so from the Defense Department or the Department of Homeland Security. The agencies can grant approval to an entire class of drones, a specific drone a specific component. 

The supplier that will be most heavily affected by the ban is SZ DJI Technology Co., better known as DJI. The Shenzhen-based company is the world’s largest supplier of consumer drones by a wide margin. According to the Wall Street Journal, it’s believed to have a market share of more than 70% in the U.S.

DJI launched its newest flagship drone, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, in May. It’s a quadcopter that retails for $2,850 and can cover up to 56 miles per hour. The drone’s flagship feature is its camera array, which combines a 100-megapixel primary lens with two telescopic sensors that can zoom in on distant objects.

The company also sells commercial-grade drones that companies can use for tasks such as inspecting power lines. Its flagship enterprise quadcopter, the DJI Matrice 4 Series, includes multiple cameras and a laser rangefinder that enables it to log the precise location of objects. The quadcopter’s GPS module uses a technology called RTK to enhance the accuracy of satellite positioning data.

The FCC’s import ban didn’t come as a surprise to the drone industry.

Last year, the House of Representatives passed a bill that called on the FCC to block the sale of DJI hardware. The proposal didn’t pass the Senate, but its core components were incorporated into the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. The latter law specifies that DJI products must be added to the FCC’s Covered List of banned equipment unless the company passes a federal risk assessment, which it didn’t.

The ban was welcomed by the AUVSI, a trade group that represents U.S. drone makers. Its members include Skydio Inc., a drone startup that raised $170 million in funding last November. The company sells quadcopters and accompanying equipment such as drone storage docks. 

“By prioritizing trusted technology and resilient supply chains, the FCC’s action will accelerate innovation, enhance system security, and ensure the U.S. drone industry expands rather than remaining under foreign control,” AUVSI chair Michael Robbins said in a statement.

Photo: Unsplash