The Federal Communications Commission announced on Monday that it is adding new foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems, including drones and their critical components, to its “Covered List” of communications equipment deemed to pose “unacceptable risks to U.S. national security.”
The move follows a Trump administration review, which found that foreign-produced drones could enable unauthorized surveillance, data theft, and disruptions, threatening U.S. homeland security and the domestic drone industry.
The action, in line with President Donald Trump’s Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty and Unleashing American Drone Dominance executive orders, reflects the administration’s goal of strengthening American drone manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign — particularly Chinese — technologies. The decision arrives ahead of major upcoming international events hosted in the United States, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when airspace security risks will be elevated.
The updated Covered List includes Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel, as well as all other foreign drone producers. Under U.S. law, the FCC cannot update this list independently and must act based on national security agencies’ determinations under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. Equipment placed on the Covered List is barred from receiving new FCC equipment authorizations, effectively preventing new models from entering the U.S. market. However, this decision does not affect existing drones, meaning consumers and retailers may continue to use, sell, or trade models previously authorized by the FCC.
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U.S. officials framed the action as critical to national and economic security. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr praised the move, saying the agency would “work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance.” The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) also encouraged organizations to use the list in risk management and regulatory compliance efforts.
China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the decision as an excessive use of national security grounds and “discriminatory” toward Chinese companies. DJI expressed disappointment with the move, arguing that no supporting evidence for the determination was publicly released. Despite such objections, U.S. lawmakers and officials, including Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR) and National Security Council’s Sebastian Gorka, welcomed the measure as a necessary step to ensure drones vital to America’s defense are “made in the USA.”
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