US proposes ban on military-grade drones from China

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a proposed rulemaking that would prohibit the import and commercial use of swarm‑capable unmanned aerial systems, a measure aimed primarily at drones manufactured in China. The draft regulation, released for public comment, would require any drone capable of coordinated, autonomous flight in groups to obtain a special certification before entering the U.S. market, and would deny entry to those that cannot meet the new security and safety standards.

Regulators say the initiative is driven by concerns that advanced swarm technology could be exploited for hostile activities or espionage, given the rapid development of artificial‑intelligence‑driven flight controls by Chinese firms. Industry groups have warned that the rule could disrupt supply chains and increase costs for commercial operators, while the Department of Commerce is expected to coordinate with the FAA to enforce the restrictions. The public comment period is set to close in 60 days, after which the FAA will evaluate feedback before finalizing the rule, which could take effect as early as next year.