A group of U.S. lawmakers urged the Biden administration recently to address potential national security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured agriculture drones, highlighting concerns over their use on American farms. The Republican House members, including Representatives Elise Stefanik, Ashley Hinson, and John Moolenaar, emphasised the danger these drones could pose, particularly those made by Chinese company DJI.
In letters addressed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the lawmakers requested a briefing by September 30 to outline the administration’s strategy for mitigating these risks. Their primary concern is the increasing number of DJI drones being used on U.S. farms, especially given their aerosol-dispensing capabilities, which they argue could be weaponized.
DJI, a leading global drone manufacturer, responded swiftly to these claims, stating that it has no ties to the Chinese military. In an emailed statement, DJI refuted the accusations, arguing that they are “unfounded” and that U.S. farmers may suffer as a result. “These accusations jeopardise the significant benefits that DJI’s agricultural drones provide, including sustainable farming practices and precision agriculture,” the company said.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington also condemned the allegations, asserting that China supports its companies in engaging in civilian drone trade. The embassy criticised what it called “illegal sanctions” imposed on Chinese companies under the guise of national security concerns.
Security and Economic Concerns
The lawmakers’ letter cites previous actions by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which imposed export restrictions on drones that could be used as weapons delivery systems. They pointed out that relying on Chinese technology for critical agricultural operations endangers the resilience of the U.S. food supply chain. Representative Stefanik called for immediate action, urging the agriculture and cybersecurity agencies to mitigate the risks posed by these drones. She has also proposed legislation to ban new DJI drones from operating in the United States.
The lawmakers further warned that DJI drones, equipped with advanced sensors, can gather granular data on U.S. agriculture, which China could potentially access. These drones account for more than 50% of drone purchases in the United States. As security concerns around Chinese drones continue to rise, the U.S. must navigate the balance between technological benefits and national security risks.
