American Security Drone Act bans Chinese UAV Procurement

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, along with Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), unveiled the American Security Drone Act Nov. 1.

The bill is aimed at redirecting US funds away from Chinese-made drones in the interest of national security.

According to the press release, the act:

• Prohibits federal departments and agencies from operating or procuring any covered unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by covered foreign entities, including PRC-based drone manufacturers.
• Prohibits the use of federal funds awarded through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to purchase covered unmanned aircraft systems.
• Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress detailing the amount of foreign commercial off-the-shelf drones and covered unmanned aircraft systems procured by federal departments and agencies from covered foreign entities.

In June Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who chairs the Intelligence Committee, proposed legislation that would also prohibit the FAA from providing federal funds to foreign drone companies from China and several other countries. The bill would also require the FAA to replace any Chinese-built drone with a U.S.- or allied-built drone within one year.

In July China announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard "national security and interests" amid escalating tension with the United States over access to technology

Congress in 2019 banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China.

Reuters reports that more than 50% of drones sold in the U.S. are made by Chinese-based company DJI, and they are the most popular drone used by public safety agencies.

Sally French, publisher of the indsutry site "The Drone Girl," has published a thorough report on the US Drone market, makers, and the competitive state of DJI. [link]