Are Chinese Drones Spying On You?
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has joined forces in urging the Pentagon to reject export licenses for Chinese drone manufacturer DJI and to review the export approval process, citing significant national security concerns.
I led a letter to @SecDef demanding oversight into the DoD’s role in allowing U.S. companies to export critical components to Communist Chinese drone manufacturer DJI- Elise Stefanik
In a letter addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, 15 lawmakers expressed worry that U.S. companies were providing critical technology to DJI, enabling American adversaries to target U.S. allies. They emphasized that the Department of Defense (DOD) should not endorse the approval of export control licenses for technology that enhances DJI’s capabilities.
Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) stated, “DJI supplies our adversaries around the world, including Iranian-backed Hamas and Russia, with drones to carry out vicious attacks against our allies.” She called for an end to Communist China’s utilization of American innovation for military purposes.
A coalition of 15 Republican legislators has urged the #Pentagon to deny export licenses for American components used in #drones manufactured by @DJIGlobal , the Chinese drone behemoth. #China #uas #uav #DJI @DJIEnterprise #drone https://t.co/tKcTw9K1eM
— DroneXL (@DroneXL1) December 18, 2023
DJI holds the title of the world’s largest drone manufacturer, boasting a 70 percent share of the global market, according to Drone Industry Insights. However, the company has faced sanctions, being blacklisted in various entity lists by the Treasury, Commerce, and Defense departments due to perceived threats to national security and alleged human rights violations.
Despite being subjected to a “presumption of denial” under the license review policy after being blacklisted, lawmakers contend that DJI continues to incorporate critical components from American companies, suggesting government approval of export licenses. The lawmakers also highlighted evidence indicating that DJI drones have been unlawfully exported to adversaries for military purposes, violating U.S. export laws and sanctions.
The letter pointed to instances where Hamas reportedly used DJI drones to attack Israeli forces and disrupt surveillance systems. The lawmakers underscored the need for transparency in the export license approval process and called for Pentagon officials to provide information and briefings on the national security review procedures related to DJI.
A group of 15 Republican lawmakers asked the Pentagon to block export licences for US components for Chinese-drone manufacturer DJI, citing national security concerns.https://t.co/R79Ur4PNVa
— Mayte Chummia (@Maytechummia) December 19, 2023
Among those signing the letter were Representative Stefanik, China Select Committee Chair Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), and Senators Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Joni Ernst (R- Iowa), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).
The dominance of DJI in the drone market has raised concerns about national security. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International emphasized in a whitepaper that China’s monopolistic position has flooded the U.S. with subsidized drones, distorting the marketplace and hindering competition.
The U.S. drone manufacturing industry has suffered significantly from what is referred to as Chinese drone dumping. According to a 2020 report from the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, DJI held 90 percent of the U.S. market for commercial drones and 77 percent of the U.S. hobby drone market.
Homeland Security warned in 2017 that DJI had targeted critical infrastructure and law enforcement sectors in the U.S. for marketing its drones. Former director of operations at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, raised concerns about the presence of Chinese-made drones in restricted U.S. airspace, challenging DJI’s geofencing claims.
A Washington Post investigation in 2022 revealed that DJI obscured its Chinese government funding and that investors in Chinese drone manufacturers included state-controlled firms with ties to the Chinese military.
Efforts to address the issue include legislation and measures targeting Chinese-made drones, especially DJI. In 2019, Congress prohibited the Pentagon from purchasing or using drones and components manufactured in China. The Department of Justice, in October 2020, banned the use of its funds to procure Chinese drones due to concerns about extrajudicial direction from a foreign government.
Chinese manufacturer DJI produces the mainstay of drones worldwide complete w/ backdoors & security risks. Stop using Chinese drones! It’s already illegal in Florida. Chinese Drones U.S. Cybersecurity Risks | The Foundation for American Innovation #China https://t.co/Slg1Z6kqVX
— Hannah Bree (@HannahBree72) December 16, 2023
In 2020, the Department of Commerce added DJI to its entity list, accusing the company of enabling human rights abuses in China. In 2021, the Department of Treasury added DJI to its list of entities for allegedly providing drones to track China’s Muslim Uyghur minority.
The Department of Defense identified DJI as a Chinese military company in 2022, leading to restrictions on U.S. firms doing business with or investing in the company. Recently, lawmakers, including Mr. Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), introduced legislation seeking to ban the U.S. government from buying Chinese drones.
In July, the Senate passed the American Security Drone Act, prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing and using DJI and other Chinese-made drones. The collective effort reflects a growing bipartisan consensus on the need to address national security risks associated with DJI’s dominance in the drone market.
Lawmakers want Biden to reject export licenses for Chinese drone maker DJIhttps://t.co/yp2mi39oOL
— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) December 18, 2023
Major Points Discussed:
- Bipartisan lawmakers urge Pentagon to reject export licenses for Chinese drone manufacturer DJI.
- Concerns raised about U.S. companies exporting critical technology to DJI, enabling attacks on U.S. allies.
- Evidence suggests DJI drones contain U.S.-manufactured components, raising questions about export license approvals.
- National security risks highlighted, with instances of DJI drones being used by adversaries for military purposes.
- Ongoing legislative efforts to address the issue, including calls for transparency in the export approval process.
Lap Fu Ip, freelance writer
Comments – Threads – Link
- Nothing TO China. Nothing FROM China. Time to get some cajones and start getting used to Made in America again- Roy E Long
- How much food products do American farmers export to China?. Didn’t they increase to record numbers under Trump?- Jade
- DJI was a drone leader in the early days. It was built for photographers. I’m with the Republicans on this one too- Jimi
- The Chinese government is actively trying to interfere in US elections and exploit divisions in our society- Michael Ron Bowling.