US Government

China has dropped the hammer on 11 US-based drone manufacturers — including Skydio, BRINC Drones, and Boeing-owned Insitu — by placing them on its “unreliable entity” list, a move that subjects these companies to sweeping trade sanctions and export restrictions.

It looks like DJI is calling the US government’s bluff. With the threat of a looming ban, the Chinese drone giant is demanding a security audit — before time runs out.

For the last year, we’ve been on the edge of the fear of losing brand new DJI drones if the United States bans them from being imported. We’re also on the backend of the company’s third generation (give or take) of its main lineup of camera drones: Mini 4 Pro, Air 3S, and Mavic 3 Pro. Will these drone replacements make it to us?

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has updated its list of Chinese companies alleged to have connections with China’s military, officially known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The most notable new name on the list for DroneDJ readers is Autel Robotics.

In a fresh escalation of technological tensions, China’s Ministry of Commerce has denounced the United States’ decision to investigate potential security risks posed by Chinese-made drones. The ministry has labeled the US actions as “extremely irresponsible,” accusing Washington of unjustly targeting foreign drones without concrete evidence.

The United States is weighing new restrictions on commercial drones from China, citing potential national security risks. This move has provoked strong objections from Beijing, signaling escalating tensions between the two economic giants.

The US Department of Commerce is calling on Americans to weigh in on new measures aimed at securing the nation’s drone supply chain. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to address potential national security risks associated with the information and communications technology and services (ICTS) used in drones. Public comments are open until March 4, 2025.

The skies are staying open for DJI drones in the US. The world’s leading civilian drone manufacturer has avoided an immediate ban in the American market since the Countering CCP Drones Act was left out of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approved by Congress this week.

A wave of mysterious drone sightings has ignited swift federal action in New York, with Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing the deployment of a cutting-edge drone detection system to the state. This move comes after reports of unidentified aerial activity disrupted operations at Stewart International Airport and stirred public concern across the East Coast.

Geopolitical tensions are redefining global markets, with drones emerging as a focal point of strategic competition. Manufacturers in China have begun limiting the export of key drone components to the US and Europe, signaling a significant shift in global supply chains. These changes could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the drone industry at large.

The United States National Drone Association (USNDA) has thrown its support behind the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), lauding provisions aimed at weakening China’s grip on the US drone market while strengthening domestic manufacturing. Representing a coalition of national security and defense professionals, the USNDA is a non-profit organization advocating for the safe and innovative use of drones in national security, public safety, and other critical sectors.

The release of the final text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025 has sparked heated debate, especially concerning provisions targeting Chinese drone manufacturers, including DJI and Autel Robotics.

The long-anticipated final text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025 has been released, setting the stage for a potential ban on Chinese-manufactured drones. Negotiated between House and Senate lawmakers, the legislation incorporates the provisions of the Countering CCP Drones Act — targeting not just drone makers DJI and Autel Robotics, but also their subsidiaries, affiliates, and licensors.

The Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have jointly issued an interim rule prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing or operating drones made in countries deemed adversarial to the United States.

China’s state-run Global Times has highlighted its stance on DJI’s lawsuit against the US Department of Defense (DoD) in a recent editorial.

DJI, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, is taking the US Department of Defense (DoD) to court, seeking to remove itself from a list of “Chinese Military Companies.” The Shenzhen-based company, which holds a substantial share of the US drone market, argues that the Pentagon’s designation is both inaccurate and harmful, causing financial losses and damage to its reputation.

The spotlight on Chinese drone giant DJI intensifies as Republican leaders on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issue a new statement condemning the company over forced labor allegations. This statement follows reports of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) halting imports from DJI, citing concerns about forced labor violations under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The CBP’s decision adds to a series of challenges DJI faces in maintaining its presence in the US market.

US national security officials are grappling with a puzzling and potentially threatening series of drone sightings over key military sites, including Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and the Nevada Nuclear Security Site. Since late 2023, dozens of unidentified drones have breached restricted airspace, raising alarms among top military commanders and prompting high-level discussions in Washington, D.C.

The future of DJI drones in the US is uncertain with the Countering CCP Drones Act, aka the DJI drone ban bil, passing in the US House of Representatives and moving to the Senate. However, one of the central allegations against DJI — that it shares user data with the Chinese government — remains speculative and unsupported by evidence. And now, a new independent audit has reaffirmed that DJI employs stringent data privacy measures for US operators, with no sign of data being transmitted to China.

A new report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) is shedding light on how restrictive drone policies have impacted the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) operations for wildfire prevention, search and rescue, scientific research, and public education efforts.

In a recent Reddit AMA, Adam Welsh, DJI’s global head of policy, candidly addressed the company’s stance on evolving US legislation, data security concerns, and a potential ban on the sale of future DJI drones in America. Welsh’s response to the most pressing question: “Will DJI abandon the US market?” is a clear “no.” Despite rising tensions, the tech giant remains committed to maintaining operations and exploring avenues to secure its foothold.