A new bill aims to phase out the use of Chinese-manufactured drones in US law enforcement, citing security concerns and a desire to promote domestic manufacturing. The American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act of 2026 would provide funding for law enforcement agencies to replace Chinese-made drones with domestically produced ones. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Pat Harrigan, argues that the US has made a "strategic mistake" by allowing China to dominate the global drone market.
The bill would offer domestic law enforcement agencies an opportunity to transition away from Chinese-made drones, which are currently widely used. It would also make federal grant funding conditional on not acquiring any foreign-made drones after January 1, 2027. The bill sets aside $1.5 billion in federal funding to accelerate the removal of Chinese-made drones and subsidize a domestic drone manufacturing base with defense applications.
Drones have become a significant security concern due to their increasing sophistication and use in overseas conflicts. The use of drones has climbed in recent years, particularly in border security, where they have enabled border agents to monitor large areas of land. However, the majority of drones used by law enforcement agencies are manufactured by Chinese companies, such as Da Jiang Innovations (DJI).
Rep. Harrigan believes that the use of drones is not going away and that lawmakers should prioritize American safety through domestic manufacturing. He argues that if drones are to play a central role in national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure, the US needs to be able to build them domestically. The bill's focus on promoting domestic drone manufacturing reflects a broader effort to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing and supply chains in sensitive areas.
The use of drones is heavily restricted in many areas, including major US cities. In Washington, D.C., for example, drones are completely banned due to restricted airspace. Despite these restrictions, the use of drones by law enforcement agencies is likely to continue, and the bill aims to ensure that these drones are manufactured in the US. It is unclear when the bill will be considered by the US House of Representatives.
