Defense Policy Bill Would Ban Chinese, Russian Drone Tech in U.S.

A protectionist drone bill made it into the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, which passed both houses of Congress this week.

Jack Daleo

Friday, December 15, 2023 at 03:01 PM ET

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DJI’s Phantom drone is among the models that would be banned from procurement or use by federal agencies. [Courtesy: Emiliano Arano/Pexels]

Key Takeaways:

The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a ban, derived from the American Security Drone Act, prohibiting federal agencies and federally funded programs from purchasing or using drones manufactured in countries deemed national security threats, primarily targeting Chinese companies like DJI.
This legislation is driven by national security concerns over potential espionage and data collection, likening Chinese drones to "TikTok with wings," despite a lack of conclusive evidence of such activities.
The ban, awaiting presidential signature, currently focuses on federal procurement with exemptions for specific agencies and intelligence activities, but could set a precedent for broader restrictions affecting consumer drones in the future.
While supported by some industry groups, critics argue the ban is an unnecessary protectionist measure that could disadvantage American users by limiting access to technologically superior foreign-made drones.

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Buried within the text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2024, which passed both houses of Congress this week, is a ban on the world’s most popular drone.

The NDAA includes language that would prohibit federal agencies and federally funded programs from purchasing or using drones manufactured in countries that are viewed as threats to U.S. national security: namely, China and Russia. It’s now a signature from President Joe Biden away from becoming law.