US May Ban Imports of Some Military-Grade Drones

The Federal Communications Commission, known as the FCC, said on Tuesday that it is planning to ban imports of some military-grade drones made in other countries. These include drones that can work together in large groups, called 'swarming drones,' and drones that use infrared technology to see in the dark. The FCC says these types of drones could be dangerous to people in the United States. The decision is not final yet, but it could become a rule after a 30-day public comment period.

Back in December, the FCC blocked all new models of foreign-made drones from being imported into the US. However, the agency later made some exceptions for drones and drone parts that were not made in China. On Tuesday, the FCC said those exceptions would continue until January 2028, giving some companies more time to adjust.

The new ban would not apply to drones bought by the US government or to drones that are not military-grade. It also would not affect drones that people or companies have already bought and are using. The FCC wants to make sure that everyday drone users are not unfairly impacted by the new rules.

The FCC explained why swarming drones are so concerning. It said these drones can fly together in large numbers, making them very hard to stop. They can also keep watch over large areas for a long time, which creates serious problems for air defense systems and puts public safety at risk.

President Donald Trump's administration has been working hard to limit Chinese technology in the United States. Last month, the FCC banned imports of more equipment from a group of Chinese companies, with that ban starting on July 16. Many US lawmakers have also said they believe Chinese drones are a threat to national security.

China-based DJI is the world's biggest drone maker and sells more than half of all commercial drones used in the US. In February, DJI filed a lawsuit to challenge the FCC's earlier drone import ban. Under the December decision, DJI and other Chinese drone companies cannot get approval to sell new drone models or key parts in the US, though they can still sell products they already have on the market.

The FCC also said it is working on ways to help grow the drone-making industry inside the United States. It may also set aside more radio spectrum — the airwave space that drones use to communicate — for drone operators. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the new decision.