Republican lawmakers seek to heavily regulate Chinese drones in the US

Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives have requested that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) expedite a national security review of manufacturers that produce drones in China and sell them to the U.S. market.

The request comes in the context of compliance with the provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2025.

In a letter addressed to the intelligence agency, Representatives Stefanik, Crawford, and Moolenaar, from the states of New York, Arkansas, and Michigan respectively, urged an urgent review given the rapid evolution and complexity of these drones' technology.

The representatives argue that a review of the companies Shenzhen Da-Jiang Innovations Sciences and Technologies Company Limited (DJI Technologies) and Autel Robotics, as well as their subsidiaries and affiliates, is essential before a recently signed executive order by President Donald Trump takes effect.

The aforementioned executive order prioritizes the integration into the national airspaceof drones exclusively manufactured in the United States.

The details of the initiative

The lawmakers highlighted the importance of Section 1709 of the NDAA, which orders national security agencies to assess whether the communication or video surveillance systems of these Chinese companies pose unacceptable risks to national security.

Due to the strong presence of DJI and Autel in the U.S. market, the members of Congress requested that the review be thorough and concluded within 30 days.

If risks are identified, they urged immediate notification to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), so that the companies are included in the so-called "Covered List," a list of entities subject to regulatory restrictions.

In response, DJI expressed its willingness to undergo an audit, reiterating that it has officially communicated its privacy protocols and security measures to the relevant agencies.

Suspicion of ties to the Chinese Communist Party

Although the Chinese companies claimed to have full confidence in their products and that their work is endorsed by multiple security audits conducted by U.S. government agencies, the reality is that suspicions that these are actually controlled by the Chinese dictatorship are growing.

DJI, for example, is currently the world's largest drone manufacturer, with more than half of its commercial sales taking place in the United States. Nevertheless, the company faces legal and regulatory challenges.

So much so that in October the company sued the United States Department of Defense for including it on a list designating it as a Chinese military company.

The lawsuit was filed in Washington courts, where the Chinese company denied being controlled by the Chinese military and alleged that such classification has caused it reputational damage and commercial losses, including the cancellation of existing contracts with federal agencies.

Despite the denial, U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concern that the company's drones may pose security risks, specifically in data transmission and unauthorized surveillance.