Background: Why Are DJI Drones Under Scrutiny in the US?

DJI is by far the world’s largest civilian drone manufacturer. Industry estimates put it at 80% of the U.S. drone market and 60% globally. Hobbyists and professionals swear by quality of the drones. Prices are hard to beat. So why would the United States consider banning them? Some point to escalating trade wars between U.S. and China. Others blame aggressive lobbying by competitors across Capitol Hill to box DJI out.  Officially, though, it comes down to national security concerns. 

U.S. officials worry that Chinese-made drones could pose cybersecurity and espionage risks – for example, by sending sensitive data (like aerial images or flight logs) back to their government. Under China’s national security laws, its companies must cooperate with state intelligence agencies, which fuels fears that DJI drones might be compelled to feed data to Beijing. 

Although multiple independent audits (including a 2020 Booz Allen Hamilton audit and a 2021 Pentagon report) found no evidence of DJI drones secretly sending data to China, U.S. policymakers have taken a “better safe than sorry” approach. The result has been a series of restrictions aimed at DJI and other foreign drone makers, intended to protect U.S. information and reduce reliance on Chinese technology. (Pentagon later disavowed the 2021 report, stating that it was inaccurate and that its release was unauthorized).

Another factor is geopolitical tension and human rights. In late 2020, the U.S. Commerce Department added DJI to its Entity List (economic blacklist) for allegedly “enabling wide-scale human rights abuses” in China (specifically, DJI was accused of supplying surveillance tech used in Xinjiang). This blacklisting made it harder for DJI to receive U.S. tech exports. 

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) identified DJI as a “Chinese Military Company” under a 2021 law, asserting that DJI supports China’s military-industrial ecosystem. DJI denied these claims and even sued to challenge the designation, but in October 2025 a U.S. court upheld the DoD’s designation. In short, American officials view DJI as potentially beholden to the Chinese state, whether for intelligence gathering or military support, even if DJI insists it’s a purely civilian company.

These concerns have led to bipartisan agreement in Washington that Chinese-made drones (and DJI in particular) represent a security risk. As you’ll see, this sentiment has translated into concrete bans and policies at the federal and state level. The overall goal is to prevent “high-risk” drones from China from operating in sensitive U.S. contexts and to encourage use of domestically produced or allied-nation drones. However, this shift comes with significant growing pains for drone users, since DJI has been the go-to brand for years. 

Let’s break down the timeline of how the DJI ban unfolded and where things stand now in 2026.

Timeline of US Actions Against DJI and Chinese Drones

The move toward a U.S. ban on DJI didn’t happen overnight. It has ramped up over several years through a series of steps by different agencies. Understanding this timeline will help you see how we got to the current restrictions:

  • August 2017: Early Warnings

The first red flag came from the U.S. Army in 2017, when it issued a blanket order banning all DJI drones from Army use due to security concerns. This was soon followed by warnings from the Department of Homeland Security. By May 2019, DHS formally alerted U.S. companies about the data risks of Chinese-made drones, cautioning that they could be sending information to foreign actors.

  • 2019 – 2020: Federal Agencies Pull Back

In 2019, Congress took notice. It banned the Pentagon from buying Chinese-made drones for military operations (NDAA — Pub. L. 116-92, Section 848). 

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense and other agencies started enacting their own prohibitions. In October 2019, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) – which used drones for tasks like wildlife surveys and firefighting – grounded its entire fleet of about 800 drones because virtually all had Chinese parts (many were DJI). 

DOI cited cybersecurity concerns and the need to support a U.S.-made drone industry. The fleet grounding was later formalized in Secretary’s Order 3379 (Jan 29, 2020). Around the same time, the Department of Justice and other agencies also banned spending funds on Chinese drones. The U.S. government was clearly signaling that it did not trust Chinese drone technology.

  • Late 2020: DJI Blacklisted

The Trump Administration ratcheted up the pressure in December 2020 by adding DJI to the Commerce Department’s Entity List, placing it on the same trade blacklist as Huawei (added in 2019) and SMIC (added in the same 2020 action). This doesn’t ban DJI products in the U.S., but it restricts DJI’s access to U.S. components and technology. 

The blacklist citation explicitly accused DJI of involvement in Chinese government surveillance and human rights abuses. (DJI called these allegations “baseless” and has tried to get the designation removed, so far without success.)

  • 2021: A Narrow Escape in Congress

Lawmakers came very close to outright banning all federal use of DJI and other Chinese drones in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) process. 

A sweeping provision in the House-passed bill H.R. 6395 (EH), Section 830B would have barred executive agencies from buying or operating drones and components tied to China, and it would also have prohibited state or local agencies from using federal funds to buy or use those systems. That would have amounted to a blanket government-wide ban. 

However, Section 830B was dropped during conference negotiations, so it did not make it into the enacted FY2021 NDAA. Essentially, Congress punted on the issue at that time, though the underlying concerns remained. 

  • 2021–2023: State Bans and Policy Momentum

Even as federal lawmakers deliberated, individual U.S. states started taking action. Several states passed laws or executive orders to ban their state agencies (like police and fire departments) from using DJI or other “foreign-of-concern” drones. For example, Florida’s DMS security rule for government drones (Rule 60GG-2.0075), effective April 5, 2023, restricts governmental agencies from using drones tied to ‘foreign countries of concern,’ which grounded all Chinese-made drones used by its public safety agencies. We’ll dive deeper into the Florida case later, but suffice it to say it caused significant disruption.

By 2023, at least two states (Florida and Nevada) had active bans on Chinese drones for government use, and others were considering similar moves. During this period, Congress was also revisiting the issue. A bipartisan bill called the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) was introduced, aiming to cut off federal dollars from Chinese drone purchases. 

Separately, lawmakers introduced the Countering CCP Drones Act (H.R. 2864), often nicknamed the “DJI ban” bill, because it specifically targets DJI by requiring DJI equipment and services to be added to the FCC’s Covered List, effectively blacklisting new DJI authorizations.

While these standalone bills didn’t immediately become law, they set the stage for what came next.

  • Late 2023: NDAA 2023 (FY2024) Implements a Federal Ban

By the end of the year, momentum in Congress shifted toward decisive action. In December 2023, President Biden signed the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Within it, the American Security Drone Act of 2023 set up a government-wide crackdown on “covered unmanned aircraft systems” tied to a “covered foreign entity.”

Under the law, the core restrictions would take effect two years after enactment, meaning federal agencies were to be barred from procuring or operating a covered UAS from December 22, 2025. The ban also would reach contracted services, so an agency couldn’t simply hire a contractor who used a covered UAS to do the work.

Implementation would run through the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with DoD, GSA, and NASA issuing an interim FAR rule that created FAR 52.240-1 to enforce the prohibition on procuring or operating covered UAS in federal contracting. 

That clause defined a “FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system” as one manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act–covered foreign entity, tying compliance back to the FASC list published in SAM. 

It wouldn’t stop at federal agencies, either. The statute blocks the use of federal funds made available through a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or otherwise to procure or operate a covered UAS from a covered foreign entity. So if you’re a university on a federal research grant or a state or local agency spending federal money, this is the kind of language that can force you to switch what you fly.

And it’s not only about buying a complete drone “brand.” The act’s covered-UAS concept includes the aircraft plus “associated elements” tied to data collection/transmission, including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft, with the government directed to develop and maintain relevant lists.

By early 2024, it was announced that all federal agencies and grant recipients must transition away from DJI or similar drones within two years. This effectively banished DJI from U.S. federal use across the board (military and civilian). Notably, this decision had strong bipartisan support as a national security measure.

  • December 2024 – The NDAA “Review” Clause

Congress wasn’t done yet. In the next NDAA (for FY2025), passed in December 2024, lawmakers took aim at DJI’s presence in the wider U.S. market. Rather than an immediate consumer ban, they included a unique “review trigger”: 

The law gave any U.S. national security agency one year (until December 23, 2025) to conduct a formal security audit of DJI. If an agency stepped up, audited DJI’s technology and practices, and officially cleared them of security risk, DJI could continue business as usual in the U.S. market. However, if no review was completed by the deadline, the law mandated that DJI be automatically added to the FCC’s “Covered List” of restricted communications equipment. (Autel Robotics, another Chinese drone maker, was also included in this provision as essentially “DJI’s smaller cousin” in the market.) 

This approach was meant as a compromise – a final chance for DJI to prove it wasn’t a threat, instead of Congress directly banning the brand. DJI publicly welcomed the audit chance (the company said it had “nothing to hide” and even pleaded with the government to “please audit us” in 2025). But as the clock ticked through 2025, no U.S. agency volunteered to do it. This “ghosting” of DJI, essentially the government refusing to even engage in an audit, signaled that an automatic ban was looming.

  • 2025: Import Restrictions Start Biting

Even before the deadline, things were getting tough for DJI. 

On October 16, 2024, Reuters had reported that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection was stopping some DJI drone imports from entering the country. As those shipments stayed tangled up, the knock-on effect began showing up in stores. Many drone pilots noticed it getting harder to find DJI products on shelves by Summer 2025. 

On June 24, The Verge reported widespread DJI stockouts across major U.S. retailers. Then on July 3, 2025, DJI published its own update saying a “customs-related misunderstanding” was affecting its ability to import select drones into the country and that it was working to resolve the issue and demonstrate compliance with U.S. requirements.

This wasn’t an official nationwide “DJI ban” at that point, but it was an effective chokehold on the supply chain because inventory couldn’t flow into the country normally.

>>> Chinese Drone Manufacturers Push Back Against U.S. Restrictions

  • December 23, 2025: The Ban Triggers

In the end, the deadline came and went with no audit. On December 23, 2025, the U.S. government made a sweeping national security determination and directed the Federal Communications Commission to act. The FCC responded by adding “foreign-produced UAS (drones) and related critical components” to its Covered List of equipment that pose an unacceptable security risk. 

This Covered List is basically a blacklist of electronic equipment that cannot receive FCC authorization (and without FCC authorization, you can’t legally import, sell, or operate the equipment in the U.S.). By putting DJI, Autel, and all other foreign drone makers on that list, the FCC banned any new models from these companies in the U.S. market. 

This was the big moment when the anticipated “DJI ban” truly took effect. It meant DJI (and similarly, other non-US drone brands) cannot sell new drone models or new radio components in the U.S. going forward. Practically speaking, if DJI releases a “Phantom 5” or “Mavic 5” internationally, it won’t be allowed in U.S. stores unless some special exception is made. 

The ban does not require you to ground or destroy existing drones – it grandfathers in everything that was already approved by the FCC before the cutoff. But it slams the door shut on the future: no new DJI products, no new firmware that relies on FCC-certified transmitters, and possibly no authorized repairs that involve new RF components. The U.S. drone landscape has now entered a “post-DJI” era, at least for new equipment.

  • January 2026: A Small Reprieve for Allies

The blanket nature of the FCC’s foreign drone ban raised some alarms, because it technically swept in all drones made outside the U.S., even those from friendly countries. In early 2026, the Pentagon and industry groups urged some nuance so that all foreign drones aren’t gone overnight. As a result, the FCC announced it would temporarily exempt certain foreign-made drone models and parts from the ban until the end of 2026.

This exemption was specifically carved out for drones made by U.S. allies or companies participating in U.S.-approved security programs. For example, models from France’s Parrot, Switzerland’s Wingtra, and U.S.-based (but foreign-partnered) firms like Teledyne FLIR and ModalAI were allowed to continue importing new units through 2026. Critical components from companies like Nvidia, Sony, Panasonic, etc., were also cleared so that drone makers can source parts. DJI and Autel, however, did not get an exemption – they remain on the Covered List with no grace period. 

The FCC’s exemption is basically to avoid crippling industries like agriculture and public safety too abruptly, by letting a handful of non-Chinese, security-vetted drones fill the gap for now. But the overall direction remains: the U.S. wants to “unleash American drone dominance” and reduce dependence on foreign drones.

As you can see, by 2026 the U.S. has layered multiple restrictions that collectively amount to a de facto ban on DJI for most practical purposes.

 Next, we’ll explore what exactly this ban entails for you as a drone user, and which drone brands are hit the hardest.

What Exactly Does the DJI Ban Do?

It’s important to clarify what the ban means – and what it doesn’t mean – for drone operators in the U.S.. There is no single law named “DJI ban”; instead, it’s a combination of regulatory actions. Here are the key effects:

  • No New DJI Drones in the U.S. 

The FCC will no longer grant equipment authorization for any new DJI drone models or radio systems. Without that authorization (the FCC ID you see on electronics), new DJI products cannot be legally imported or sold in the U.S. In essence, DJI is blacklisted from the U.S. market going forward. This applies not only to DJI, but to “covered” foreign drone manufacturers broadly. Initially the focus was on DJI (and Autel), but regulators have expanded it to all foreign-made drones and major components as a category. If a drone is made in China (or another adversary country), or even if it’s assembled elsewhere but contains certain Chinese-made components, it’s likely covered by the ban language. The only exceptions are those specific models exempted until 2026 (like certain Parrot or Wingtra drones as mentioned earlier).

  • Your Current DJI Drone Is Still Legal (For Now)

If you already own DJI drones, don’t worry – you are not required to stop flying them. The FAA has not banned the operation of DJI drones in U.S. airspace, and the FCC’s action grandfathers in any models that were previously approved That means all existing DJI drones that were being sold up to 2025 (Mavics, Phantoms, Minis, etc.) can still be bought (from remaining stock), resold, and flown as usual by private individuals. Retailers are even allowed to keep selling their remaining inventory of those models, since those units have FCC approval. Nothing in the new rules forces an immediate grounding of drones you own. 

In fact, U.S. consumers enjoyed a bit of a last-minute buying spree in late 2025 as people grabbed DJI drones before stock ran out. So if you have, say, a DJI Mini or Air for hobby flying, you can continue to use it in 2026 just as you did before – the ban does not retroactively outlaw your device.

  • No Firmware or New Features

While your existing DJI drone is legal to fly, you might start to feel the squeeze in subtler ways. DJI as a company may scale back support for the U.S. market. For instance, future firmware updates or software features could be limited. As of mid-2024, DJI already stopped automatically syncing U.S. flight logs to its servers (likely an effort to address data fears). 

Going forward, U.S. owners might see delayed or discontinued app updates, difficulty accessing DJI’s cloud services, or inability to get new batteries and parts. There’s even concern that required features like Remote ID updates might not be maintained for U.S. DJI units post-ban. DJI has said it intends to support existing customers, but that support is no longer guaranteed and could wane over time. If you’re a hobbyist, over the next couple of years you might notice your DJI drone’s tech getting “frozen in time” compared to new global releases.

  • Government and Commercial Use Is Severely Constrained

The ban’s impact is heaviest on government agencies and any businesses that rely on DJI for their operations. Federal agencies, as noted, cannot spend federal funds on DJI drones now. Many states are mirroring this for state funds. So, police, fire departments, public universities, etc., have had to mothball their DJI fleets and seek replacements. 

Even commercial enterprises that work on government contracts (say a company doing infrastructure inspections for a federal project) have to ensure they’re not using banned drones or components, due to contract rules. 

If you run a drone services company, you may find that some clients (especially government or corporate clients with security sensitivities) will no longer accept data collected via DJI drones. Insurance companies and project bids might start asking if your equipment is NDAA-compliant (meaning not Chinese). In short, DJI is becoming radioactive in any professional context that touches government or critical infrastructure in America.

>>> Best American and Allied Drones for Agriculture in the U.S. (2026)

  • No Effect on Airspace or FAA Rules

 It’s worth noting that the ban is not an FAA flight restriction. It doesn’t change where or how you can fly from an airspace perspective. It’s entirely about the equipment procurement and import side (FCC and federal funding). So recreational flyers and Part 107 pilots are not getting new airspace rules – just a gradually aging fleet of drones.

To summarize: You can still fly your DJI drone if you have one. But you probably can’t buy a new DJI drone model in the future, and over time getting support or replacement units might become a nightmare. Meanwhile, public agencies and many businesses are effectively being forced to dump DJI and switch to alternatives due to legal and funding constraints. This policy shift is rocking the entire drone industry, because DJI and other Chinese brands have been so dominant due to their high quality and affordable cost.

Next, let’s answer a big question that might be on your mind: which drone brands are actually affected? Is it only DJI, or are others on the chopping block too?

Which Drone Brands Are Affected by Export Bans to the US?

When we talk about the “DJI ban,” DJI is the poster child – but it’s not the only brand impacted. The U.S. government’s actions have been broad, targeting all “foreign-made” drones from adversary countries. This mainly means drones made in China (since China produces the vast majority of popular consumer and commercial drones today). Here’s a breakdown of who’s affected:

  • DJI

Obviously, DJI is affected – it’s the primary target of these policies. DJI is a Chinese company and is explicitly named in U.S. legislation and FCC orders as a security risk. All new DJI models are banned from U.S. approval, and federal agencies cannot buy or use DJI drones. If you’re reading this, you probably already know DJI’s fate: essentially blocked from the U.S. market unless something changes.

  • Autel Robotics

Autel is another Chinese drone manufacturer that’s popular in the U.S., known for its Evo series of drones. Autel is often considered the second-place competitor to DJI in the consumer/pro market. Unfortunately for Autel, it has been caught in the same net. U.S. lawmakers and regulators included Autel alongside DJI in proposed bans. So new Autel models face the same FCC ban. If you hoped to pivot to Autel as a DJI alternative, note that Autel’s future U.S. offerings are equally restricted under the current rules. (Existing Autel drones that were approved before are still allowed, similar to DJI’s case.)

  • Other Chinese Drone Brands

There are many smaller Chinese drone brands – e.g. Yuneec, Hubsan, Holy Stone, Potensic, to name a few common ones on Amazon. These might not be explicitly named in laws, but because the ban language covers any foreign drone, they are effectively included. All the major recommended drone brands are now covered, since nearly all are made outside the U.S. If a company manufactures in China (or is China-based), any new model from them will also be denied FCC equipment authorization. For example, Yuneec (a Chinese firm known for Typhoon drones) would face the same hurdle for new models. Even some models sold by U.S. brands but rebranded from Chinese OEMs fall under this; being a U.S. reseller is “not enough to evade the ban” if the drone is foreign-produced. In short, the entire Chinese drone industry is impacted, not just DJI.

  • Foreign (Non-Chinese) Brands

What about drones from countries like France or Switzerland? These are not “banned” per se, but they were initially swept into the FCC’s broad category of “foreign-produced UAS.” The key difference is the U.S. government’s willingness to exempt or approve trusted allies. For instance, Parrot, a French drone maker, is not seen as a security threat by the U.S. In fact, Parrot’s Anafi USA drone is designed for security-conscious markets and is approved under the U.S. military’s Blue UAS program. Recognizing this, the FCC granted temporary exemptions to certain allied-manufactured drones like Parrot, Switzerland’s Wingtra, and others so they can still be imported through 2026. Additionally, U.S. companies that build drones (even if some parts are foreign) can apply for clearance through the Blue UAS or Green UAS programs. So brands like Skydio, Teal Drones, Freefly Systems, and AeroVironment (all American companies) are not banned at all – in fact, they are being championed as alternatives. 

The bottom line: If a drone is made by a U.S. or allied company and vetted for security (NDAA-compliant), it can still enter the U.S. market. The export ban (or really import ban) is aimed squarely at China and a few other adversary nations. So while DJI and Autel are out, brands like Skydio or Parrot are in (and likely to fill the void, albeit at higher prices and lower volumes initially).

To put it plainly, if you walk into a drone store in 2026 looking for something not made in China, your options will be limited but they exist. You might see models from Skydio (USA), Parrot (France), Freefly (USA), Teledyne FLIR (USA), Inspired Flight (USA), Wingtra (Switzerland), etc. Many of these are more geared to enterprise or military use than casual hobbyists, but they are stepping up production. On the other hand, you won’t be seeing the next DJI Phantom or Autel Evo on the shelf – those brands’ new products are effectively banned from U.S. shelves.

It’s also interesting to note that even building a drone in the U.S. isn’t enough if the guts are foreign. The FCC’s rules specify that certain key components (like flight controllers, radios, and cameras from “covered” countries) will make a drone non-compliant. So a hypothetical drone assembled in America with, say, a Chinese flight controller would still be blocked. This pushes manufacturers to use domestically produced or allied-made components at every level.

Now that we know who’s banned, let’s discuss what this means for the drone community – from hobby flyers to commercial pilots and public agencies.

Impact on Drone Users: What the DJI Ban Means for You in 2026

Whether you’re a recreational drone enthusiast or a professional pilot, the U.S. crackdown on DJI and other Chinese drones will likely affect you in some way. Here’s how different groups are impacted:

Hobbyists and Recreational Flyers

If you fly drones for fun, you’re probably using a DJI or similar drone because of their ease of use and advanced features. For now, you can keep flying those drones without trouble. As mentioned, there’s no ban on using existing DJI drones in recreational airspace. If you already own a DJI Mavic, Mini, or Phantom, feel free to enjoy it – go out to the park or the field and fly as usual. Just make sure to follow all normal FAA rules (registration, not flying near airports, etc.), which remain unchanged.

However, looking ahead, the ban means you won’t see new DJI models in the U.S. If DJI releases a cool new drone globally in 2026 or 2027, U.S. hobbyists might be unable to legally obtain it. You may find yourself holding onto your older gear longer than expected. Also, alternatives for hobbyists are a bit limited. Many of the non-Chinese drones are enterprise-focused and expensive (often $10k+). There are a few smaller players trying to enter the consumer market – for example, Autel had some consumer models (but Autel is Chinese and now banned for new models), Skydio (an American company) recently discontinued its consumer line to focus on enterprise, and other U.S. startups haven’t yet produced a cheap, ready-to-fly camera drone for hobbyists. So, unfortunately, as a hobby flyer you might face a future of either sticking with older DJI gear or paying a lot more for a non-DJI drone that may not have the same polish.

On the bright side, any drone you already have will likely last you a few years, and spare batteries and parts are still available (at least until stocks dry up). If you’ve been thinking of buying a new drone for personal use, get it now if it’s a DJI. Existing inventory of DJI drones can still be sold – but once that’s gone, it’s gone. So you might consider snapping up that drone you’ve been eyeing sooner rather than later. Keep in mind that over time, as others snap up remaining stock, U.S. consumers might be stuck with fewer and older choices, while the rest of the world moves on with DJI’s latest and greatest. It’s a weird situation where an American hobbyist in 2027 might be flying a 2023 model drone because the 2026 model never came here.

Commercial Operators and Businesses

For those of you using drones for work – such as photographers, videographers, real estate, agriculture, inspections – the implications are more significant. Many commercial operators have relied on DJI equipment due to its cost-effectiveness and capabilities. With the ban, expanding or upgrading your fleet with DJI is off the table. If your drone is critical to your business, you need to start planning for the future:

  • Short Term

You can continue using your current DJI drones for now. They are still legal and valid for commercial operations under FAA rules. But you should be wary of the support issues. For example, if you operate a fleet of drones for surveying, you might want to stock up on extra batteries, propellers, and even backup drones while they’re available. As time goes on, getting OEM parts could become harder. Some commercial operators are already buying a few extra DJI units (while they can) to have a cushion of equipment that can last a few years.

  • Compliance Considerations

Depending on your clients, you may encounter requirements to use NDAA-compliant drones (meaning drones that are not banned and preferably made by U.S./allied companies). If you work with any government agencies or even certain corporate clients (especially in critical infrastructure), they might insist you don’t use DJI. This trend will likely accelerate. So, you may need to start learning and switching to alternative platforms. Drones on the Blue UAS Cleared List (approved for U.S. government use) or the Green UAS list (approved for commercial) will become your go-to options. Examples include Skydio X10, Freefly Astro, Inspired Flight models, Parrot Anafi USA, Teledyne FLIR SIRAS, etc. These are all systems that meet the security criteria and are not Chinese-made.

>>> The Winners and Losers of the Blue sUAS List

  • Higher Costs

Be prepared – the non-DJI alternatives can be significantly more expensive. DJI really benefited from Chinese manufacturing scale and relatively lower costs. In contrast, many American or European drones cost 2x, 5x, even 10x the price for similar capabilities. We’ve seen examples like a Florida county having to spend $25,000 on a single Skydio drone to replace units that cost ~$5,000 each from DJI. These higher prices can be a big hit for a small business or a public safety department on a budget. As a commercial operator, you’ll need to factor these costs into your pricing or budget proposals. There may be grants or programs to help (e.g. the proposed “Supporting Drones for Law Enforcement Act” with grants for replacements), but nothing guaranteed nationwide yet unless Congress enacts it.

  • Capabilities and Learning Curve

Another challenge is that some non-DJI drones might not yet match DJI’s ease-of-use or capabilities. You and your team might face a learning curve adopting a new platform. For instance, if you switch to a Freefly or an Inspired Flight drone, you’ll need to train on its flight controls, software, and maintenance. Some specialized tasks you did with DJI (like mapping with DJI’s software ecosystem) may require new workflows. It’s wise to start testing alternative drones early, side-by-side with your DJI, to see how they compare and what adjustments are needed. The good news is many of these alternatives are improving fast, and some even outperform DJI in niche areas (like heavy-lift or autonomous flight modes). But you might need to be patient as the ecosystem matures.

So for businesses in the U.S., continue using your DJI gear for now, but begin planning your transition. Think about your fleet in 2024, 2025, 2026 – what will you replace units with? Where will you get parts? Starting to “future-proof” now will save you headaches when, say, a DJI drone dies in 2027 and you can’t buy a new one.

Public Safety Agencies (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue)

If you’re in law enforcement, firefighting, or any public agency using drones, the ban’s impact on you is immediate. Many states and the federal government have already mandated that public safety agencies stop using Chinese drones. A high-profile example is Florida’s state-wide ban that went into effect in 2023, which forced police and fire departments to ground over $200 million worth of drones (mostly DJI) overnight. Florida provided only $25 million in funding to replace all those drones – covering barely 12.5% of the value of what was lost. This left many departments with serious capability gaps. Some, like the Broward Sheriff’s Office in FL, had to go from 63 DJI drones (worth $300k) to just 3 new approved drones due to cost. Fire departments initially got no funding for replacements, meaning critical rescue drones were shelved unless local budgets covered new ones.

For agencies, the challenge is not only budget but also operational effectiveness. The replacement drones (often from the “Blue UAS” list) sometimes have inferior capabilities or reliability issues compared to DJI’s proven platforms. There were reports in Florida of approved drones that caught fire, fell out of the sky, or couldn’t fly at night – whereas DJI drones had years of dependable service. This kind of hiccup can be dangerous when lives are on the line. If you’re in public safety, you must weigh these factors and possibly push for more funding or better testing of alternatives.

Many agencies are banding together to voice concerns. For instance, after Florida’s ban, some law enforcement officials argued that the sudden removal of DJI drones hurt their ability to respond to emergencies. Similar debates are happening elsewhere. Nevada also banned Chinese drones for agencies as of January 2024. Other states are likely to enforce or consider bans, especially following federal guidance (since the federal ban on funding by 2025 means even local agencies using federal grants must comply).

If you’re a public safety drone program manager, you should:

  • Take inventory of your drone fleet and note which are non-compliant (e.g., DJI, Autel).
  • See if there are approved alternatives for each mission type (surveillance, thermal imaging, etc.). The Blue UAS Cleared List is a good reference.
  • Develop a budget and ask for replacements, including training costs on new systems.
  • Keep records of how the lack of certain drone capabilities might affect public safety outcomes (this data can help justify exceptions or more funding).
  • Stay updated on state legislation; some states might offer grace periods or exceptions for certain uses (for example, firefighting vs. law enforcement).

It’s a tough spot: first responders have seen how useful DJI drones are for things like search & rescue or disaster response, and now they’re being taken away largely due to geopolitical concerns. But until/unless policies change, agencies have to comply and adapt as best as possible.

>>> Best DJI Alternatives for Public Safety Drones (US 2026)

Drone Manufacturers and the Industry

Lastly, a quick note on the broader drone industry: The DJI ban is causing a shake-up. U.S. and European drone manufacturers see an opportunity to finally capture market share. Companies like Skydio, Freefly, Teal, Inspired Flight, Parrot, and others are ramping up production and development. The U.S. Department of Defense and other agencies are pouring funds into initiatives like the Blue sUAS program to certify more home-grown drones for wide use. There’s a push to build up the domestic drone supply chain – everything from flight controllers to cameras – so that the U.S. isn’t dependent on China. If you work in the drone industry or are an investor, this could be a “gold rush” era for U.S.-made drones.

However, there’s a big gap in the short term. DJI didn’t dominate just because it was Chinese – it also makes really good drones at relatively low cost. Replacing that won’t happen overnight. As a result, we may see a period where the consumer drone market in the U.S. stagnates. American consumers could fall behind the technology curve compared to the rest of the world. Until new players release affordable, feature-rich drones, U.S. drone enthusiasts might feel stuck with aging tech. It’s an ironic situation where a policy meant to drive innovation domestically could initially lead to less innovation reaching U.S. consumers (since foreign innovation is blocked). Industry groups and farmers, for example, have expressed concern that without DJI, they lack effective tools and that it even burdens for already under tight margins.

Working Through the Post-DJI Landscape

The DJI ban in the U.S. marks a significant turning point for the drone community. What started years ago as murmurs of security concerns has snowballed into concrete policies that remove the market leader from the game. As of 2026, the U.S. government has effectively sidelined DJI and other Chinese drone makers through a combination of federal funding bans and FCC import restrictions. 

It’s a time of change and a bit of uncertainty. But the drone community is nothing if not innovative and resilient. New solutions will emerge – they always do. In the meantime, make sure you’re aware of the rules so you can fly confidently and legally. The U.S. drone industry is entering a new chapter focused on security and domestic tech, and as a drone pilot or enthusiast, you are part of that story. It’s all about adaptation for now.