U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan Introduces American Drone Manufacturing Act to Phase Out Chinese-Made Drones
Republican Representative Pat Harrigan of North Carolina has introduced the American Drone Manufacturing Act, which aims to phase out Chinese-made drones from U.S. law enforcement agencies and prioritize domestically manufactured alternatives. The bill targets national security and supply chain vulnerabilities linked to Chinese drone systems, and could benefit U.S. manufacturers such as Skydio and Autel Robotics.
Highlights
- Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) introduced the American Drone Manufacturing Act to ban Chinese-made drones from U.S. federal and local law enforcement agencies.
- The bill mandates a phase-out of Chinese drone systems—including those from DJI—and prioritizes procurement from U.S.-based manufacturers.
- The DoD already prohibits purchasing certain Chinese-made drones; this legislation would extend that ban to the law enforcement sector.
- U.S. drone manufacturers Skydio and Autel Robotics are expected to benefit directly if the bill becomes law.
- The legislation could accelerate adoption of the federally led Blue UAS certification framework for government drone procurement.
U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan Introduces American Drone Manufacturing Act Targeting Chinese-Made Drones
Republican Representative Pat Harrigan of North Carolina has formally introduced the American Drone Manufacturing Act, a bill designed to comprehensively phase out Chinese-manufactured drones from the procurement lists and active use of U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Harrigan serves on several key subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee and has long championed defense supply chain security issues.
Background: China's Dominance of the Global Drone Market
In advocating for the legislation, Harrigan stated: "In America, we have allowed China to dominate much of the global drone market, while U.S. agencies continue to rely on systems tied to Chinese companies." He emphasized that this dependence poses a potential threat to national security, particularly in sensitive applications such as law enforcement and border surveillance.
Core Objectives of the Bill
The American Drone Manufacturing Act centers on three primary goals:
- Phase-out mandate: Requires federal and local U.S. law enforcement agencies to cease procurement of Chinese-made drones and replace existing units within a defined timeframe.
- Promoting domestic manufacturing: Encourages and prioritizes the adoption of drone systems produced by U.S.-based manufacturers.
- Supply chain security: Ensures that drone technology used in critical security infrastructure remains free from foreign influence.
Industry Context
Chinese drone giant DJI currently holds a dominant share of both the global consumer and commercial drone markets, and its systems are widely used by U.S. law enforcement agencies. In recent years, however, the U.S. government has placed DJI on various restriction lists, citing data security concerns and potential intelligence risks.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has already banned the procurement of certain Chinese-made drones. If passed, the American Drone Manufacturing Act would extend that prohibition to the law enforcement sector, opening significantly larger market opportunities for domestic drone manufacturers.
Potential Industry Impact
Should the bill become law, it is expected to benefit U.S.-based drone manufacturers such as Skydio and Autel Robotics. It may also accelerate the broader adoption of the federally led Blue UAS (Blue Unmanned Aerial Systems) certification framework, which vets drones deemed safe for government use.
The bill is currently under legislative review, and its progress is being closely watched by both the drone industry and the defense community.
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