An amendment to ban U.S. government use of Chinese drones appears almost certain to become law within weeks. Contained within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the measure bans the purchase of commercial drones made by a “covered foreign entity,” including China, by any U.S. government agency. The ban covers both purchases of new drones and flights of drones already in agency fleets, which would need to end within six months. The ban extends to drone components including drivetrains, cameras, and circuit boards. Orders for components already contracted for could be completed up to one year following enacted. The amendment has survived both the House- and Senate-passed versions of the NDAA and seems assured to be in the final legislation that is presented for signature by President Trump. 

The amendment’s author, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), said the measure was necessary for national security. “Drones manufactured by foreign adversaries should be nowhere near the federal government. This equipment from countries like China uses taxpayer dollars to support the Chinese Communist Party’s near-monopoly on this critical market, while also posing a serious national security threat. It is imperative that Congress pass this bipartisan bill to protect U.S. interests, our communities, and our national security supply-chain.” 

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