The House Homeland Security Committee advances critical legislation to counter Chinese drone espionage as over 600 unauthorized drone flights have been detected above U.S. military facilities in just two years.
Key Takeaways
- New legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to produce annual threat assessments on foreign adversaries’ drone capabilities for surveillance, strikes, and chemical attacks.
- Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel control nearly 90% of the global drone market, with DJI drones widely used by U.S. law enforcement despite security concerns.
- The Department of Defense reported over 600 unauthorized drone flights above U.S. military facilities between 2022 and 2024.
- The House recently passed legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act to ban the sale of DJI drones in the United States.
- A hearing titled “Surveillance, Sabotage, and Strikes” is scheduled for July 8, 2025, to examine how foreign drone warfare capabilities threaten homeland security.
Chinese Drone Threat Prompts Legislative Action
The House Homeland Security Committee is taking decisive action against the growing threat of Chinese drones to American national security. The committee is drafting comprehensive legislation requiring the Department of Homeland Security to produce an annual threat assessment specifically targeting foreign adversaries’ capabilities to use drones for surveillance, kinetic strikes, or chemical attacks within the United States. This initiative comes amid mounting evidence that Chinese-manufactured drones pose significant security risks to critical infrastructure and may be collecting sensitive data for the Chinese government.
“Drones are no longer just tools of surveillance, they have become weapons of disruption, sabotage, and intimidation,” said Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R., Fla.), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security
The legislative push comes as China rapidly expands its fleet of militarized drones and has shown increasing aggression in regions like Taiwan. Recent drone attacks in various global conflicts have highlighted the technology’s potential threat. The urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent drone attack by an Iranian-aligned militia in Jordan that killed three American servicemembers, demonstrating the deadly capabilities of this technology when weaponized by hostile actors.
Military Facilities and Critical Infrastructure at Risk
Defense officials have reported alarming statistics that validate these concerns. Between 2022 and 2024, the Department of Defense documented over 600 unauthorized drone flights above U.S. military facilities. This troubling pattern suggests potential surveillance operations by foreign entities. Of particular concern is the Chinese acquisition of farmland near U.S. military bases, which could potentially serve as launching sites for drone surveillance or attacks. These strategic land purchases near sensitive installations represent a calculated vulnerability that the new legislation aims to address.
“I’m deeply concerned that the U.S. Coast Guard lacks the tools, training, and authority necessary to counter the growing threat of drone warfare,” said Gimenez to the Free Beacon
The Coast Guard faces particular challenges in addressing drone threats, with its fleet in the Middle East considered especially vulnerable. The legislation would require a classified briefing on Coast Guard capabilities to counter drone threats by July 18. Maritime security represents a critical vulnerability in our national defense posture against drone threats, as ports and waterways could be targeted for surveillance or disruption of commerce.
Chinese Manufacturers Dominate Global Drone Market
At the heart of the security concern is the dominance of Chinese manufacturers in the global drone market. DJI and Autel Robotics, both headquartered in Shenzhen, China, control nearly 90% of global drone sales. Despite warnings from federal agencies including CISA and the FBI against using Chinese-made drones, DJI products remain widely deployed by state and local law enforcement across America. This widespread adoption of potentially compromised technology creates an extensive network of security vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure and law enforcement operations.
“DJI and Autel are UAS technology companies headquartered in Shenzhen, China, that control nearly 90 percent of the global UAS market,” stated House Committee members
A 2017 alert from Homeland Security Investigations warned that DJI drones might be providing sensitive U.S. data to the Chinese government. In response to these concerns, DJI was added to the Department of Commerce’s Entity List in December 2020, restricting U.S. technology exports to the company. The House recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which includes a comprehensive ban on the sale of DJI drones in the United States.
Congressional Hearing to Address Evolving Threat
To further address this critical security challenge, Rep. Carlos Gimenez has announced a hearing scheduled for July 8, 2025, titled “Surveillance, Sabotage, and Strikes: Industry Perspectives on How Drone Warfare Abroad Is Transforming Threats at Home.” The hearing will bring together industry experts to examine how the evolution of drone warfare globally is creating new vulnerabilities domestically. The testimony will provide crucial insights as lawmakers work to strengthen America’s defenses against these technological threats.
“It’s no secret that drones are increasingly being weaponized by adversarial nations and terrorist organizations to surveil, sabotage, and disrupt world peace,” Chairman Gimenez said. “As the United States prepares to host high-profile international events, and as our greatest adversaries, Russia, Iran, and Communist China, work to undermine American interests, we must act now. One drone in the wrong hands can threaten lives and cripple critical infrastructure such as air and seaports. This Committee will continue taking proactive steps as drone technology evolves to protect our airspace and ensure the safety of our communities,” said Chairman Gimenez
The House Committee on Homeland Security is also pressuring federal agencies to declassify information about the national security threats posed by Chinese-manufactured drones. The committee argues that the public interest in understanding these threats outweighs the need for continued classification, especially since Sandia National Laboratories has already identified significant security risks. By making this information public, lawmakers hope to build broader support for stronger protections against foreign drone threats.
