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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.

China drone ban DJI
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]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Connecticut has passed "emergency" legislation to ban drones manufactured in countries considered national security threats, such as China and Russia, for use by state agencies, towns, and contractors.
  • The bill, awaiting Governor Lamont's signature, mandates a phase-out of purchases by October 2026 and operations by October 2028, aiming to mitigate potential cybersecurity and espionage risks from foreign-made drones.
  • This legislation aligns Connecticut with other U.S. states and federal agencies implementing similar bans, despite concerns from first responders about the higher cost of approved alternative drone models.
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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.

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