Picture this unsettling scenario: the skies above the United States becoming a playground for drones under the control of a foreign regime with dubious intentions. The alarming possibility has now become a distressing reality, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine where drones have proven to be vital assets for surveillance and gathering intelligence. Now, imagine a situation where these aerial eyes are operated by China. This isn’t a plot line from a science fiction novel; it’s a stark reality that demands our attention.
The potential infiltration of American skies by Chinese-made drones is a looming security threat that must not be underestimated. Embedded in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act, the bipartisan American Security Drone Act brings a ray of hope in our battle against this unprecedented vulnerability. This is a beacon of promise in the face of a concerning dilemma: the infiltration of federal agencies by Chinese-manufactured drones. Players like DJI and Autel Robotics are raising concerns about national security due to their connections with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
These companies attempt to downplay their CCP ties, presenting themselves as benign players. However, the CCP’s Military Civil Fusion laws require private entities to share data and technology with the military if the regime sees it as strategically beneficial. There are concerns about Chinese tech companies like Huawei and TikTok, which also apply to Chinese drone manufacturers and national security risks.
The unsettling reality is that Chinese drone manufacturers hold an iron grip on nearly 90% of the American drone market. It’s no exaggeration to say that these entities are deeply enmeshed in the CCP’s web. Just last year, the Department of Defense officially designated DJI as a “Chinese military company.” Investigations have peeled back layers of deception, revealing that DJI obscured its Chinese government funding while publicly denying such links. This opacity is a stark reminder that the Chinese government’s influence reaches deep into these companies.
Manufacturers claim that certain safety measures, like geofencing, can prevent drones from entering restricted airspace. However, security experts have proven that these systems can be easily manipulated. Reports have already emerged of DJI drones flying over sensitive sites within the nation’s capital. This is a red flag that should not be ignored.
This isn’t solely about drones; it’s about safeguarding the essence of national security. The FBI has expressed concerns about Chinese infiltration in the field of drones. The utilization of CCP-connected drones by federal agencies directly intensifies the menace of counterintelligence and economic espionage posed by China.
Fortunately, some members of Congress are beginning to recognize this peril. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed limitations on Chinese-manufactured drones, while the Department of Defense has been prohibited from procuring such systems. Extending these restrictions across all federal agencies is a logical progression in combating the mounting intelligence risks.
The American Security Drone Act emerges as a lifeline in the mission to preserve national security. This legislative effort reflects a rare bipartisan consensus acknowledging the dangers of CCP-associated drones. Both Democrats and Republicans concur that allowing foreign-controlled drones to swarm our skies is an unacceptable risk. The security of our nation’s infrastructure is on the line, and it’s encouraging to witness leaders from across the political spectrum take action to shield it.
