The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed new regulations aimed at protecting the nation’s drone supply chain from foreign adversaries, particularly China and Russia. The proposed rule, introduced by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), seeks public feedback on how foreign involvement in drone technology could pose a national security risk. The department has expressed concern that foreign-made drones may allow adversaries to remotely access and manipulate the devices, potentially exposing sensitive U.S. data to external threats.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted the importance of securing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology, calling the proposed rule an essential step in protecting the nation from vulnerabilities posed by foreign entities. She emphasized that securing the supply chain is critical to maintaining the integrity and safety of the technologies that are becoming increasingly vital to national security and defense operations.
This proposal follows a similar action in September 2024 when the Biden administration pushed a rule to safeguard connected vehicles from foreign software and hardware imports, specifically targeting threats from Russia and China. Both initiatives reflect growing concerns over foreign influence in critical technology sectors and the potential risks to U.S. security posed by such interference.
In early 2024, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued updated warnings about the potential risks of China-made drones, highlighting vulnerabilities in sensitive data and surveillance systems. The public has until March 4, 2025, to submit comments on the proposed regulation, which could have significant implications for the future of drone technology and its use across various industries in the U.S. The outcome of the consultation will determine how effectively the U.S. can secure its technological infrastructure against foreign threats.
