The US agricultural drone sector is braced for upheaval after the FCC announced sweeping restrictions on foreign-made Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The decision follows mounting concerns that Chinese-made drones, which dominate the market, could expose sensitive operational and agronomic data to overseas entities.
Under Section 1709 of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act, Chinese manufacturers such as DJI and Autel Robotics had until December 23, 2025, to complete a national security review. Failure to comply resulted in automatic inclusion on the FCC’s Covered List, effectively prohibiting new models from connecting to US communications infrastructure.
In a surprise escalation, the FCC extended the ban to all foreign-made drones and critical components, citing “unacceptable risks to US national security and the safety of US persons.”
Existing drones unaffected
The ruling does not impact consumers’ ability to use previously purchased drones, nor does it prevent retailers from selling models already authorized. The FCC emphasized that the move aims to restore US airspace sovereignty and “unleash American drone dominance” without disrupting ongoing operations.
The timing aligns with preparations for major events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America250 celebrations, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Industry reaction: Opportunity for US players
Antony Yousefian, general partner at The First Thirty and investor in US drone firm SiFly, welcomed the decision. He told AgTechNavigator: “Washington is signalling a clear mandate to secure domestic aviation autonomy. We backed SiFly because they shatter the endurance ceiling that has limited AgTech adoption – three hours versus 30 minutes for Chinese peers. This initiative isn’t merely about replacing foreign technology; it is an opportunity to enhance American infrastructure and significantly boost agricultural profit margins and resilience.”
Mariah Scott, CEO of American Autonomy, echoed the sentiment in a recent interview. “Current federal policy aims to reduce reliance on Chinese drones and components, including flight software and data integration tools,” she said. “American Autonomy addresses this by providing US-built alternatives, strengthening security and compliance while supporting a domestic ecosystem.”
Chinese manufacturers push back
DJI criticized the legislation as “baseless allegations and xenophobic fear”, reiterating its commitment to user data security.
