FCC proposes ban on imports of advanced drones with China in focus
The US regulator cited national security concerns as it moved to restrict drones with swarming and high-resolution thermal imaging features.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
The US Federal Communications Commission has proposed blocking imports of certain advanced drones, with Chinese manufacturers the main target of the new restrictions, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The agency cited national security concerns tied to military-grade drone technology and the handling of sensitive data.
Under rules announced Tuesday, the FCC would bar drones fitted with swarming functions and infrared sensors capable of high-resolution thermal imaging, according to the report. FCC officials said the action was needed to “secure the drone supply chain” and reduce the risk that foreign governments could gain access to sensitive information.
The proposal extends exemptions for some components made outside China until January 2028, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. That carveout points to an effort to limit disruption for US users while putting pressure on Chinese drone makers, including DJI and Autel Robotics, according to the report.
Washington broadens technology restrictions
The move follows President Donald Trump’s accusation days earlier that China interfered in the 2020 US elections, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. It also adds to a wider US push against foreign-made surveillance and communications equipment that officials say could threaten national infrastructure.
The FCC has previously used its authority to restrict Chinese technology companies. In 2022, the commission banned telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from major Chinese brands, including Huawei and ZTE, saying the products posed an “unacceptable risk to national security,” according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
US security officials have warned that equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei could be used to interfere with 5G wireless networks and gather sensitive information, the report said. Huawei, one of the world’s largest telecommunications equipment makers, has faced extensive US sanctions and a strained relationship with Washington and its allies.
Trump also signed the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act into law in 2019, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The law created standards for identifying communications services that US officials consider potential national security risks.
The latest FCC proposal places advanced drones in the same national security debate that has surrounded telecoms, surveillance cameras and other connected equipment from China. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that the commission’s action reflects a broad consensus in Washington that foreign drone technology can create unacceptable risks for critical infrastructure.
The proposed restrictions do not amount to a blanket ban on all drone-related imports, according to the report. By extending exemptions for non-Chinese components, the FCC is seeking to keep some supply channels open while tightening controls on systems it views as most sensitive.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.