Connecticut ‘Emergency’ Bill Would Ban Chinese, Russian Drones

State lawmakers approve legislation that includes a provision prohibiting towns, agencies, and contractors from purchasing or using foreign-made drones.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 01:22 PM ET

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Chinese manufacturer DJI is the world’s largest producer of drones, and U.S. law enforcement and public safety agencies have snapped them up for cheap. [Courtesy: DJI]

Key Takeaways:

Connecticut has passed "emergency" legislation to ban drones manufactured by countries deemed national security threats (e.g., China, Russia) for state agencies, towns, and contractors.
Awaiting the Governor's signature, the bill mandates a phased ban: no new purchases by October 2026 and no operation by October 2028, with earlier deadlines for emergency services.
The ban is driven by national security concerns, specifically the potential for cybersecurity threats and espionage from foreign-made drones and their alleged ties to foreign governments.
This legislation aligns Connecticut with federal and other state efforts to restrict such drones, despite the higher cost and widespread use of current Chinese models by public safety agencies.

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Drones manufactured in countries considered national security threats to the U.S. would be banned from Connecticut towns, state agencies, and contractors under “emergency” legislation backed by state lawmakers on Tuesday.

The bill, which awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature, proposes sweeping restrictions on drones built or assembled by “covered foreign entities”—in other words, China and Russia. Chinese drones in particular have proliferated among U.S. law enforcement and public safety agencies and account for an estimated three-quarters of the American consumer drone market, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.