The United States has moved to block the sale of new foreign-made drone models, delivering a significant blow to China’s DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, as Washington intensifies efforts to curb perceived national security risks linked to overseas technology.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Tuesday it had added foreign drone manufacturers, including DJI, to its so-called “Covered List” of entities deemed to “pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States”.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement: “I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable national security risk, to the FCC’s Covered List.
"Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance.”
The move effectively bans the import and sale of all newly developed drone models and critical equipment from those companies in the US.
The decision does not affect drone models that have already been authorised for sale or those currently in operation. The FCC said consumers can continue to use drones they have legally purchased, and previously approved devices will remain available.
Chinese-made drones have dominated the U.S. market for years, used extensively by private owners, emergency services, law enforcement agencies and commercial operators.
DJI alone accounts for about 70% of the global drone market, according to Research and Markets, with its products widely deployed for infrastructure inspections, construction, agriculture, and professional and recreational filming.
The FCC ruling marks the culmination of a years-long push by U.S. policymakers to restrict Chinese drone manufacturers such as DJI and Autel Robotics.
It follows the passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which mandated a security review of equipment produced by DJI and other foreign drone makers by December 23, 2025.
In June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of drone technologies and expanding domestic drone production to counter what the administration described as risks from foreign control or exploitation.
“President Trump has been clear that his Administration will act to secure our airspace and unleash American drone dominance,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr said on X.
“We do so through an action today that does not disrupt the ongoing use or purchase of previously authorised drones and with appropriate avenues for excluding drones that do not pose a risk.”
The FCC said its decision was based on findings by a White House-convened executive branch interagency body, which concluded that foreign-made drones and components “could enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over U.S. territory”.
China’s foreign ministry criticised the move, with spokesperson Lin Jian calling the FCC listing “discriminatory” and accusing Washington of overgeneralising national security concerns. “The U.S. should correct its erroneous practices and provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to operate,” he said.
Several Chinese firms, including Huawei and ZTE, have already been placed on the FCC’s Covered List over similar national security concerns.
