Chinese language drone maker says {that a} rushed analysis might result in unfair outcomes
DJI, the world’s largest industrial drone producer, has expressed sturdy considerations a couple of current request from U.S. lawmakers calling for an accelerated nationwide safety evaluate of Chinese language-manufactured drones. In a weblog publish titled “Don’t Floor Innovation: The Actual-World Price of Banning DJI within the U.S.”, the corporate argues that the safety evaluate course of is being short-circuited and warns that such a transfer dangers undermining the intent of the Fiscal 12 months 2025 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA).
Lawmakers Push for Accelerated Timeline
On July 10, 2025, Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Rick Crawford (R-AR) submitted a proper request urging the Division of Commerce, Division of Protection, and different federal companies to provoke a complete evaluate of DJI and different Chinese language drone producers. The lawmakers cited considerations that these platforms may current cybersecurity or operational dangers within the occasion of a battle with China. They referred to as for a preliminary report inside 30 days.
This request builds upon language within the NDAA FY25, which requires the federal authorities to conduct a safety evaluate of Chinese language-manufactured drone platforms. If the evaluate shouldn’t be accomplished inside one yr, firms like DJI would routinely be positioned on the FCC’s Lined Listing—severely limiting their capability to function within the U.S. by limiting entry to telecommunications infrastructure and spectrum.
DJI’s Response
DJI says a 30-day deadline is unrealistic for the kind of complete analysis that Congress initially meant. “A reputable evaluation should enable time for proof to be reviewed, and it should embody significant alternatives for engagement, clarification, and accountable dialogue. We urge policymakers to uphold the intent of the legislation by making certain that this evaluate is clear, grounded in proof, and never rushed,” states the corporate.
DJI maintains that its merchandise are protected and safe, extensively used throughout public security, agriculture, development, and infrastructure sectors. The corporate warns {that a} rushed evaluate may result in unintended penalties for the broader U.S. drone ecosystem.
A Market in Stress
Proponents of limiting DJI argue that its market dominance—estimated to be over 70% within the U.S.—poses nationwide safety dangers. These considerations have already led to a patchwork of state and federal bans on using DJI drones in authorities operations.
Then again, many customers say that U.S.-manufactured options usually are not but in a position to match DJI’s mixture of options, efficiency, and worth. DJI drones are extensively utilized in development, vitality, agriculture, and emergency response.
This stress has led to a Catch-22 within the U.S. drone ecosystem. Home producers argue that DJI’s dominance comes from unfair pricing and that banning DJI would create sufficient demand to drive innovation and decrease costs within the U.S. drone sector. However till that market shift happens, many customers—notably in public security and small enterprise sectors—fear they are going to be left with out viable instruments.
Customs Delays and Provide Uncertainty
The present uncertainty is already affecting the provision of DJI merchandise in america. As beforehand reported by DRONELIFE, drone importers have confronted delays as a result of elevated scrutiny at U.S. Customs, with some shipments held up for weeks. Whereas not formally tied to the NDAA provision, these delays add to the considerations of drone operators who depend on DJI techniques for his or her operations.
What’s Subsequent?
Because the evaluate course of unfolds, the way forward for DJI within the U.S. market stays unsure. If the corporate is positioned on the FCC’s Lined Listing, public security companies, small companies, and infrastructure corporations may face vital operational disruptions. In the meantime, home drone producers proceed to advocate for coverage measures that might give them a stronger foothold out there.
The result of this debate will form the U.S. drone trade for years to return—balancing considerations over nationwide safety with the sensible calls for of a rising know-how sector.
