DJI Challenges FCC's Proposed 'Military-Grade' Drone Import Ban

DJI Challenges FCC's Drone Import Ban

DJI has formally opposed the FCC's plan to stop importing and selling previously authorized foreign drones that the agency labels "military-grade." In a 26-page filing, the company asked regulators to drop the proposal, arguing it oversteps legal bounds and would harm civilian operators. The public comment window drew nearly 4,000 responses from pilots, first responders, businesses, and manufacturers.

A Classification Without Legal Basis

At the heart of DJI's argument is that the FCC invented seven capability categories—thermal imaging, LiDAR, docking stations, swarming software, agricultural spraying, defense integration, and aircraft over 55 pounds—without grounding them in the December 2025 National Security Determination. DJI calls this a "post-hoc creation" that calls into question the agency's authority to impose the rule at all.

Everyday Tools, Widespread Fallout

DJI points out that these features are now common in civilian work: thermal cameras help firefighters and search-and-rescue teams, LiDAR supports surveying and infrastructure checks, and docking stations automate utility monitoring. The company estimates the proposal could cost the industry billions, including over $1.5 billion for DJI alone, while disrupting police, firefighters, farmers, researchers, and inspectors.

Ambiguity and Process Problems

DJI also faults the proposal for leaving key terms like "military-grade" and "defense article" undefined, making it impossible for manufacturers to know which products are still legal. It argues the FCC improperly shifted the burden of economic analysis onto commenters and questions why federal agencies could keep using the drones while state and local agencies might lose access. DJI wants the rule withdrawn; if the FCC moves forward, it seeks product-specific security findings, an 18-month transition, safeguards for public safety agencies, and clear technical standards instead of vague feature lists.