FCC proposes ban on Chinese military-grade drone imports citing security risks

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules to prohibit the import of advanced drones, primarily from China, citing mounting national security concerns over military-grade technology. The measures, announced on Tuesday, specifically target devices equipped with swarming capabilities and infrared sensors designed for high-resolution thermal imaging.

FCC officials stated that the regulations are necessary to secure the drone supply chain and prevent sensitive data from being accessed by foreign states. The proposal aims to isolate Chinese manufacturers, specifically naming DJI and Autel Robotics, while attempting to mitigate immediate supply chain shocks for domestic users.

Exemptions for drone components produced outside China, which were introduced in December, have been extended until January 2028. This extension suggests a regulatory approach focused on isolating Chinese technology without causing immediate disruption to industries relying on non-Chinese hardware.

The move follows recent accusations by US President Donald Trump regarding Chinese interference in the 2020 US elections. It signals a hardening of Washington’s stance against foreign-made surveillance technology, building on a bipartisan consensus in the capital to treat such equipment as an unacceptable risk to national infrastructure.

This action mirrors previous regulatory steps taken by the FCC. In 2022, the commission banned telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from prominent Chinese brands, including Huawei and ZTE, citing an unacceptable risk to national security. US security officials have previously warned that equipment from these brands could be used to interfere with fifth-generation wireless networks and collect sensitive information.

The legislative framework for such restrictions was established in 2019 when President Trump signed the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. This law established criteria for identifying communications services deemed a national security risk, a precedent that now underpins the latest measures against drone imports.