Drone Industry Warns of Devastating Impact from Proposed Chinese Drone Restrictions

Drone-teollisuus veteran Vic Moss is raising urgent concerns about potential restrictions on Chinese-made drones being considered for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Speaking in his personal capacity and on behalf of the Drone Service Providers Alliance (DSPA), Moss warns that proposed language from the Countering CCP Drones Act could have catastrophic effects on the U.S. drone industry if incorporated into the final NDAA compromise bill.

The proposed restrictions would prevent the FCC from granting new licenses to DJI, Autel, and potentially other Chinese drone manufacturers. According to Moss, who recently met with Representative Adam Smith’s staff, both House and Senate leadership are currently working to bypass normal procedures and create a compromise NDAA bill that could include significant anti-Kiina drone provisions.

“By 2030, we’re projected to be a $15 billion industry,” Moss explains. “If the CCP Drones Act language gets into the NDAA and is signed by the president, that future is seriously in jeopardy.”

Critical Infrastructure Impact

While U.S. manufacturers produce high-quality drones for enterprise and first responder applications, Moss argues they don’t offer replacements for the consumer and prosumer drones that make up 90-95% of commercial drone operations. Without access to DJI and Autel products, he suggests many drone businesses would be forced to shut down within 2-3 years as their current fleets age out.

The impact would extend beyond commercial operators. Moss highlights that many public safety agencies, STEM Education programs, and Ensivasteet rely heavily on Chinese-manufactured drones.

“There are people alive today specifically because Etsintä ja pelastus teams had access to DJI drones to find them,” he notes.

Manufacturing Capacity Concerns

Even if alternative drone designs existed, Moss points out that U.S. manufacturing capacity remains insufficient to replace the volume of Chinese imports. The U.S. lacks domestic production capabilities for many critical drone components, including specialized chips and sensors.

Challenging the Security Narrative

Moss references DJI’s recent lawsuit against the Department of Defense, which challenges their designation as a “Chinese military company.” The lawsuit highlights several questionable claims, including apparent cases of mistaken identity regarding alleged military patents and participation in civilian technical standards committees alongside major international companies like Nokia, Ford, and Samsung.

Industry Response Needed

With NDAA negotiations accelerating, Moss urges drone industry stakeholders to contact their congressional representatives and key committee leadership immediately. He emphasizes the importance of sharing personal stories about how these restrictions would impact businesses, public safety operations, and educational programs.

“We can discuss politics without becoming political,” Moss argues, calling for professional, fact-based engagement with lawmakers. He suggests focusing on concrete examples of how Chinese-made drones enable critical services and innovation across various sectors.

The drone industry’s future may depend on whether Congress can be convinced to separate legitimate security concerns from what Moss characterizes as misrepresented or exaggerated threats. With the NDAA compromise bill expected as soon as next week, time for industry input is rapidly running out.