The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday announced a ban on all foreign-made drones and critical components, citing national security concerns.
To this end, the agency has added foreign-manufactured unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and critical components of UAS, as well as all communications and video surveillance equipment and services, to the Target List under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 (NDAA). The move will keep Chinese-made drones from companies like DJI and Autel Robotics out of the U.S. market.
The FCC said that while drones offer the potential to enhance public safety and technological innovation, criminals, hostile aliens, and terrorists could weaponize them and pose a significant threat to the United States.
It also noted that further review by an executive branch interagency body with appropriate national security expertise convened by the White House led to a “specific determination” that foreign-manufactured UAS and critical UAS components pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and the safety and security of Americans.”
The report said the decision was made to protect American citizens and restore U.S. air sovereignty as the country prepares to host events that draw large numbers of people in the coming years, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“UASs and critical UAS components must be produced in the United States,” the FCC said. “This will reduce the risk of direct UAS attack, disruption, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland.”
“UASs and critical components of UASs, including data transmission equipment, communications systems, flight controls, ground control stations, controllers, navigation systems, batteries, smart batteries, and foreign-manufactured motors, could enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and sabotage over U.S. territory.”
The FCC noted that certain drones and components are exempt if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines they do not pose such a risk. However, this ban does not affect consumers from continuing to use previously purchased drones, nor does it prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, and sell device models approved by the government this year.
The development comes a week after U.S. President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026. The bill includes provisions to secure airspace if unmanned aircraft pose a threat to the public.
In late July 2024, the target list was updated to prevent Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky from providing security software directly or indirectly in the country.
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