If the US government does not review the security of DJI drones by the year end as required under the defense spending bill, “there is a real risk that new DJI drones would be prevented from entering the US market. Not because of any proven risk, but simply due to compressed timelines or politically motivated decisions,” says Chinese ag spray drone market leader DJI.
A clause buried in last year’s defense spending bill requires an undefined “national security agency” to determine if Chinese drone makers DJI and Autel present a threat to US national security. If an agency does not report back by the end of this year, these firms will be added to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) covered list.
Being added to this list of communications equipment and services “deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the US” would prevent the Chinese drone makers from getting FCC licenses for future drone models and potentially lead to the revocation of existing FCC authorizations.
“We are now less than six months away from this deadline,” a DJI spokesperson told AgFunderNews. “In March 2025, we penned a letter formally urging relevant agencies to fulfill this obligation set out by Congress. We made clear then – as we do now – that we welcome the opportunity to participate in a rigorous, transparent, and fair audit.”
DJI: Review must be ‘transparent and grounded in evidence’
Since the start of this year, “there has been no formal indication that the mandated review process has started,” says DJI.
“However, on July 10, a group of lawmakers called on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to complete the review – but to do so within 30 days. While we welcome the news of the audit finally getting support, we are deeply concerned that such a short timeline risks undermining the integrity of the process altogether.”
A credible assessment must allow time for evidence to be reviewed, and must include “meaningful opportunities for engagement, clarification, and responsible dialogue,” says DJI, which accounts for the vast majority of ag drones operating in the US market.
“We urge policymakers to uphold the intent of the law by ensuring that this review is transparent, grounded in evidence, and not rushed. Reconsidering the proposed timeline is essential to enable a more thorough review – one that builds trust and constructively addresses concerns.”
Without a credible process, new DJI drones could be prevented from entering the US market, which “would deprive thousands of businesses, public safety agencies, and everyday users of essential technology, disrupting operations, increasing costs, and limiting access to tools that support safety, productivity, and innovation,” claims the firm.
“We are already seeing consequences at the state level. The 2025 state legislative sessions saw a wave of proposals and legislation aimed at restricting the use of DJI drones, based on the same unfounded and unproven allegations that make a proper federal review so important. These risk sidelining the most widely used, capable, cost-effective, and trusted drone technology in the country.”
Guardian Ag ‘strongly supports’ restrictions on DJI
US-based drone makers, meanwhile, see an opportunity at a time when Chinese rivals are also being hit with tariffs, which are making their wares less competitive.
In public comments to the US Dept of Commerce, which is considering new rules that could restrict the US activities of drones made by “foreign adversaries,” US ag drone maker Guardian Agriculture said it “strongly supports” targeted regulations vs DJI and others.
According to Massachusetts-based Guardian Ag, China’s dominance in the UAS [unmanned aircraft system] market “stems from state-backed policies that flood global markets with low-cost drones, driving out competitors and disrupting private investment.” Beyond economic harm, it alleged, “adversary-controlled drones pose serious national security threats, including remote software manipulation, supply chain dependency, and risks to food security,” claims DJI has repeatedly denied.
According to DJI’s head of global policy Adam Welsh: “Users can amend their data preferences at any time through the app’s settings, easily delete information on the drone or download third-party software solutions. They can even disable the DJI flight app altogether, if they prefer.”
In its comments to the Dept of Commerce, the American Spray Drone Coalition, which represents leading distributors in the agricultural spray drone market, issued a stark warning should Chinese drone makers be effectively blacklisted:
“If actions being contemplated by this ANPRM have immediate effect on all drones originating from China, components from China, or from companies domiciled in China, 90% of the spray drone industry supply would be eliminated.”
Rising adoption
Around 400,000 DJI ag spray drones were estimated to be in use globally at the end of 2024, up 33% vs 2023, and up 90% vs 2020, according to a recent report from DJI.
The DJI spokesperson told us: “Outside of China, we are seeing the most significant growth in agricultural drone usage in the Americas—North America, Central America, and South America—and Southeast Asia. Our focus is on regions with the highest growth potential, specifically the Americas and Southeast Asia.”
Asked about tariffs, the spokesperson added: “We are continually monitoring and assessing market conditions as they evolve, and will adapt our approach accordingly. We aim to keep our pricing as reasonable as possible.”
‘Made in America’
US ag drone makers, meanwhile, have been building their capabilities in recent years, with Guardian Agriculture developing larger, more robust drones with a large payload capacity and coverage area per hour designed for large US farms. The firm, which has a partnership with ag retailer Wilbur-Ellis, says the tech will be made available to customers in Salinas, Yuma, and Coachella this year.
Texas-based drone maker Hylio, meanwhile, recently raised $3.2 million on equity crowdfunding platform StartEngine to expand production at a new facility capable of producing 5,000+ drones a year at full capacity.
Both farms are positioning themselves as a ‘Made in America’ option for US farmers in an “evolving trade environment.”
Ag retailer Heinen Brothers Agra Services—best-known for manned crop spraying airplanes—is also pushing into the unmanned space via a new subsidiary called Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, pitched as “the most advanced aerial and ground-based agricultural robotics enablement platform in the world.”
Finally, Santa Clara, CA-based SiFly has recently emerged from stealth with drones its claims to fly faster, further, for longer, than anything else on the market.
Further reading:
Faster, further, longer: Can SiFly upend the ag spray drone market?
DJI report charts rapid rise in global adoption of ag spray drones
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