DJI Update Article

The Senate Armed Services Committee has unveiled its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which notably omits the proposed prohibition on new DJI drones entering the U.S. market. In contrast, the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last month, including measures to prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from issuing new licenses to DJI due to national security concerns.

The House version of the NDAA, incorporating amendments from the Countering CCP Drones Act, mandated that the FCC add DJI to its “Covered List.” If listed, the FCC would be unable to approve new equipment authorizations for DJI products or software in the U.S., and although unlikely, could establish a process to revoke existing authorizations.

The Senate’s decision to exclude the ban from its version of the NDAA indicates a more cautious approach to the issue. DJI drones are extensively used across multiple sectors—such as agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety—and an abrupt ban could disrupt ongoing projects and hinder progress in critical areas.

Recently, representatives from over 6,000 public safety agencies, police, and fire departments with drone programs nationwide wrote to the Senate Armed Services Committee members, urging them not to include the Countering CCP Drones Act in the NDAA.

Despite the current reprieve, the future of DJI drones in the U.S. remains uncertain. The Senate version will now proceed to the floor for consideration. Should it pass the full Senate, the House and Senate will need to reconcile their versions of the NDAA. This reconciliation process might reintroduce the ban or lead to a compromise imposing certain restrictions on DJI drones. The industry is closely monitoring these developments, with many companies preparing for various scenarios.

It is important to note that DJI has been the market leader and preferred choice for drone operators in the U.S. for years. The company has consistently denied allegations of data security risks and highlighted the measures it has implemented to address these concerns, including disabling the option for U.S. drone pilots to sync their flight records to DJI’s servers.