The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has introduced a new requirement for U.S. agencies to evaluate the security risks posed by Chinese drones within a year, and the stakes are high.
Uncertain Future for Chinese Drone Regulations
Matt Sloane from SkyfireAI shares insights on the NDAA’s latest developments.
Last week, an important update about the NDAA’s text was released, sparking curiosity about whether the Countering CCP Drones Act would be part of it. Turns out, it wasn’t included, but there’s still something significant that the public should note.
The new language asks national security agencies to decide within a year if drones from companies like DJI and Autel pose any risk to national safety. If they don’t finish this evaluation on time or find these drones risky, those companies could end up on the FCC’s covered list, which means they won’t be able to make new models.
If the assessment shows no risk, these actions won’t happen. This seems like a relief for many who want to keep using these drones without worries of a ban. However, the issue isn’t resolved yet.
From various talks on Capitol Hill and with the Department of Defense, there appears to be ongoing concern over these drones, even if much of it remains classified. It seems that if such discussions continue, there might indeed be some real threat.
Additionally, the time frame given by the NDAA is just one year, and with a new administration coming in soon, which may not favor Chinese products, agencies might skip the evaluation altogether and simply add the companies to the list.
Some suggest that agencies should already start considering alternatives to these drones because this problem might arise again next year.
As the market sees more American or allied-made drones, choosing non-Chinese options might become more appealing for some users.
While the exclusion of the legislation from the NDAA feels like a win for those advocating for it, it remains unclear if this is a lasting victory or just a temporary reprieve.
We think people are curious about what will happen next.
Matt Sloane, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at SkyfireAI, has extensive experience in public safety and drone technology. Before founding Skyfire, he worked as a medical news producer at CNN and served as an EMT. Matt actively contributes to drone policy development and is a licensed pilot.
