Pentagon Issues Ban on Chinese-Made Drones in Federal Agencies

A new interim rule issued by the Pentagon and other federal agencies prohibits U.S. government agencies from purchasing or using foreign-made drones from countries deemed national security risks, including China. The policy, aimed at enhancing national security, restricts the use of drones produced by adversarial nations and aligns with the American Security Drone Act of 2023.

The rule, published in the Federal Register by the Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA, took immediate effect for new drone purchases. Federal agencies must phase out the use of restricted drones by December 22, 2025. The regulation impacts drones identified by the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) as security risks, such as those manufactured by DJI and Autel Robotics, which dominate the U.S. market.

The rule seeks to mitigate threats from unmanned aerial systems (UAS), stating that drones without adequate security measures could enable adversaries to disrupt U.S. government operations, compromise sensitive data, or sabotage federal assets. While the Pentagon does not anticipate budgetary impacts, it acknowledged that the change will accelerate a shift away from foreign drone suppliers.

Certain exceptions to the rule apply to agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation for national security or public safety missions. The government is also seeking public comments on potential contractor requirements, such as drone disclosures and risk monitoring, through January 13, 2025.