FCC Bans New Foreign-Made Drones Citing National Security Risks

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a significant new ban on all new foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems, effectively adding them to its "covered list" of communications equipment deemed a national security risk. Announced just days before the new year, the policy prevents new models of foreign drones—particularly those from Chinese manufacturers like DJI, which controls nearly 70% of the global market—from receiving the necessary approvals for sale in the United States. Existing approved drones remain legal to use and sell, but new imports face strict blockades unless cleared by the Department of Defense or Homeland Security.

This decision follows a White House-led security review that flagged serious concerns regarding data theft, unauthorized surveillance, and supply chain vulnerabilities associated with foreign drone components. The ban has sparked immediate concern within the US agricultural sector, which relies heavily on these drones for tasks such as crop scouting, field mapping, and spraying. Farmers and rural advocacy groups are now calling for clarity, fearing that the sweeping restrictions could hamper productivity and operational efficiency in American farming while the industry adjusts to the sudden loss of access to new technology.