The Federal Communications Commission has placed new foreign-made drones and their components on its 'Covered List' due to unacceptable risks to U.S. national security. This decision stems from a Trump administration review highlighting threats like surveillance and data theft. The move aims to bolster American drone production ahead of major international events.
On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the addition of foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems, including drones and critical components, to its "Covered List." This list identifies communications equipment that poses unacceptable risks to U.S. national security, based on determinations from national security agencies under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act.
The action follows a review by the Trump administration, which identified potential dangers from foreign-produced drones, such as unauthorized surveillance, data theft, and operational disruptions. These threats could undermine U.S. homeland security and the domestic drone sector. Aligning with President Donald Trump's executive orders on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty and Unleashing American Drone Dominance, the policy seeks to enhance U.S. drone manufacturing and decrease reliance on foreign technologies, especially from China.
The updated list specifically names Chinese manufacturers DJI and Autel, extending to all other foreign drone producers. New models from these sources will be barred from receiving FCC equipment authorizations, halting their entry into the U.S. market. Existing authorized drones remain unaffected, allowing continued use, sales, and trading by consumers and retailers.
This timing precedes high-profile U.S.-hosted events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where airspace vulnerabilities could intensify.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr welcomed the step, stating the agency would "work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance." The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) urged organizations to incorporate the list into risk management practices. U.S. figures like Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR) and National Security Council's Sebastian Gorka supported it, emphasizing the need for defense-critical drones to be "made in the USA."
China's Foreign Ministry decried the decision as an overreach on national security pretexts and discriminatory against Chinese firms. DJI voiced disappointment, noting the absence of publicly released evidence for the risks.
