US drone ban proposal to combat China’s dominance concerns American police, farmers
Greg Reverdiau, an Arizona-based drone trainer, said he saw something highly unusual for politically polarised America when he waded through public comments on a US government proposal to restrict foreign-made drones: a consensus. Reverdiau, the founder of Pilot Institute, which helps aviators obtain licences, said he reviewed over 3,800 comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission…
A proposal by the US government to ban the importation and marketing of foreign-made drones has drawn overwhelming opposition from various stakeholders. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) aims to address national security risks by prohibiting the continued importation and marketing of previously authorized foreign-produced drones and critical components that meet a new definition of "military-grade".
This proposal comes amid a broader US effort to reduce reliance on Chinese drone technology and strengthen domestic supply chains.
The FCC's proposal has faced significant backlash from American police, farmers, utilities, and other commercial drone operators during the six-week public comment period. The key conflict lies in the broad definition of "military-grade". Drones equipped with thermal imaging or Lidar technologies, which are primarily utilized for non-military purposes like search and rescue, factory inspections, mapping, and farming, are included in the proposed definition.
These technologies are essential for various civilian operations, raising concerns among stakeholders.
The National Sheriffs' Association, representing over 3,000 county law enforcement officials, expressed concerns about public-safety agencies with drones and critical components that could fall under the FCC's proposed definition. They requested clarification of the rule's scope and exemption for law-enforcement agencies if adequate alternatives are not available.
Similarly, farm groups defended drone use for spraying pesticides and other chemicals, emphasizing the need to reduce reliance on larger aircraft or ground equipment. Other groups, such as the American Mosquito Control Association and Reuters News & Media, also submitted comments supporting the continued use of drones in their respective fields.
Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics filed legal objections, arguing that the FCC lacks statutory authority to impose the restrictions. The FCC's decision to place foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems and critical components on the Covered List in December 2025 has led to an ongoing legal battle between DJI and the US government.
DJI has challenged the Covered List designation in court, citing potential annual costs of US$1.5 billion. However, the process of public comments does not mandate the adoption of the recommendations, leaving uncertainties about the final rule's impact on the proposed ban.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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