By Agroempresario.com 

The U.S. Department of Commerce has recently issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public input on new potential regulations regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) from "foreign adversaries," including China and Russia. The proposed rule primarily concerns safeguarding U.S. information and communication technology (ICTS) supply chains from foreign threats. DJI, a Chinese leader in the global drone market, has been dominant in the U.S. agricultural spray drone sector, but its involvement in U.S. markets may be jeopardized if the new regulations take effect.

The U.S. government claims that drones made by foreign adversaries could pose risks by providing unauthorized access to sensitive data, though DJI has strongly contested these allegations. As part of the rulemaking process, public comments are invited before the March 4 deadline, and several areas will be considered, including definitions of UAS components, risk assessments, and the potential economic impact of any new regulations.

This move follows a recent defense spending bill signed by President Biden, which mandates that an agency determine whether drones from DJI and its Chinese competitor Autel Robotics pose a significant national security risk. If the study concludes such risks within a year, both firms could face restrictions, preventing them from launching new products in the U.S. market.

DJI has consistently advocated for clearer, objective security standards for the industry and has emphasized its commitment to transparency and cybersecurity, including measures like a Bug Bounty program. DJI's spokesperson noted that the company had been thoroughly scrutinized by the U.S. government in the past and found to pose no security risk.

The new proposed rule has raised concerns within the U.S. agricultural community, particularly within the American Spray Drone Coalition (ASDC), which represents key players in the agricultural drone market. The coalition is concerned that regulations could hinder farmers’ access to the most effective drone technology, which is currently dominated by Chinese-made drones. ASDC members have indicated that they will submit comments to ensure that any new rules are grounded in facts, allow time for the market to adjust, and provide incentives for manufacturers to find alternative suppliers.

U.S. farmers have increasingly adopted spray drones in recent years, with an estimated 3.7 million acres sprayed in 2023, largely using Chinese-made drones. Despite the security concerns raised by lawmakers, the ASDC has downplayed fears of espionage or sabotage, focusing instead on advocating for cybersecurity standards to protect all agricultural drone data, irrespective of the country of origin.

While the push for domestic drone alternatives continues, cost and technological features remain key considerations. According to ASDC members, U.S. manufacturers have not yet produced drones that meet the same standards of reliability and cost-effectiveness as their Chinese counterparts, which currently provide the most advanced features at a competitive price point.