Max Hjalmarsson, CEO | Airpelago

The debate over Chinese drone manufacturers, particularly DJI, has been heating up in the U.S. In 2024, the Senate considered restricting Chinese drones due to national security concerns. Initially, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2025 included provisions to investigate and potentially ban these drones. The Countering CCP Drones Act, introduced in July 2024, aimed to classify DJI as a security risk and push for non-Chinese alternatives.

"The Senate eventually dropped the proposed ban"

DJI strongly opposed the bill, emphasizing that they are not a military company and that their drones do not collect unauthorized data. The Senate eventually dropped the proposed ban, influenced by opposition from emergency services and other key industries that rely on DJI technology.

Is Competition Fueling the Debate?

Some industry observers have speculated that U.S. drone manufacturers, like Skydio, might be influencing this debate to reduce competition. Skydio has significantly increased its lobbying efforts, from a $10,000 budget in 2019 to $560,000 in 2023. However, Skydio's CEO, Adam Bry, has denied lobbying to ban DJI drones, stating that their focus is on supporting the transition to American-made drones in critical sectors.

Source:dronedj.com

Are There Proven Security Risks?

Security concerns about Chinese-made drones have been raised by various U.S. agencies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have issued warnings about potential risks associated with Chinese-manufactured unmanned aircraft systems.

Source: SICA.gov

Additionally, researchers have identified security vulnerabilities in DJI drones that could allow unauthorized data access.

Source: cybernews.com

What Does the Future Hold?

This situation bears striking similarities to the Huawei controversy. Initially, concerns about security risks led to restrictions and bans on Huawei equipment in several Western countries. While no nationwide ban on DJI has been enacted yet, the ongoing scrutiny suggests that Chinese drone manufacturers could face increasing obstacles in the U.S. market.

The key questions moving forward:

• Will government agencies and enterprises voluntarily shift to non-Chinese alternatives?
• Could future administrations revisit and enforce a stricter ban?
• What innovations will emerge as competitors seek to fill the potential gap?

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: the debate over Chinese drones and national security is far from over.

How do Airpelago address these concerns?

At Airpelago, we take the security concerns surrounding drone operations seriously. While the debate about Chinese drones continues, we focus on proactive risk mitigation and ensuring the highest level of operational integrity. Here’s how we tackle these challenges:

1️⃣ Thorough Evaluation – Every drone model and manufacturer is carefully assessed to ensure compliance with both operational requirements and security expectations.

2️⃣ Robust Setup Protocols – We implement strict routines for configuring our drones, minimizing vulnerabilities from the outset.

3️⃣ Enterprise-Grade Equipment – We only use high-end, enterprise-grade drones that meet stringent security and performance standards.

4️⃣ Own Software Operations – Rather than relying on third-party apps, we operate our drones via our own software, reducing exposure to potential risks.

5️⃣ Secure Service & Offboarding Routines – We have clear protocols for maintenance, service, and decommissioning drones, ensuring data security throughout their lifecycle.

The Ultimate Security Measure

To meet the highest security standards, we can implement a fully offline operation where neither the drone nor the remote controller is ever connected to the internet. This air-gapped approach eliminates the risk of data leaks, as a device that never connects to another unit simply cannot transmit sensitive information.

However, this comes at a cost. By completely disconnecting the system, we sacrifice many useful features such as live streaming, cloud-based fleet management, and automated software updates. This represents a trade-off between security and functionality, which we carefully evaluate based on each specific use case.

At Airpelago, we are committed to ensuring safe, secure, and efficient drone operations while maintaining the highest level of data protection. 🚀

What are your thoughts on balancing security and functionality in drone operations?

Let’s discuss!