DJI to the Rescue? US Police Seek Chinese Drones Despite Washington Clampdown
Police departments across the U.S. are embracing Chinese-made DJI drones despite Washington's warnings about national security risks. Lawmakers have introduced bills to ban DJI and increase tariffs on Chinese drones, sparking a heated debate between local safety concerns and a hawkish China policy. DJI denies allegations of backdoor access to data or unfair subsidies from the Chinese government.
This has sparked a heated debate between local safety concerns and the need for a hawkish China policy. While officers on the ground have found the drones to be invaluable tools, lawmakers in Washington have introduced bills to ban DJI and increase tariffs on Chinese drones. Let's delve into the details.
Kentucky's Hardin County sheriffs were the first to adopt DJI drones, starting with the DJI Matrice 300. Donated by a local agriculture cooperative in 2021, these drones proved instrumental in tracking down teenagers who had vandalised crops on a vast farm. While officers on foot struggled to keep up, the drones swiftly located and captured images of the culprits within minutes. Since then, the sheriff's department has established a fleet of five DJI drones, which have been used for various purposes, including scouting for hazardous materials and aiding in hostage situations.
Ironically, while local law enforcement agencies rely on Chinese drones, Washington is sounding the alarm about the potential risks associated with the technology. In response, lawmakers introduced the Countering CCP Drones Act and the Drones for First Responders (DFR) Act, aiming to ban DJI and impose higher tariffs on Chinese drones. The revenue generated from these tariffs would be used to fund the purchase of American-made drones for public safety departments. The Countering CCP Drones Act has been included in the draft of the 2025 National Defense Authorisation Act, a significant defense policy bill currently under review.
DJI has vehemently denied allegations of backdoor access to data or unfair subsidies from the Chinese government. The company argues that the proposed bans and tariffs are driven by xenophobia disguised as national security concerns. While public safety agencies are already prohibited from using federal grants to purchase Chinese drones, some departments, including those in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Connecticut, have used their own budgets to acquire them. Many officials argue that even with higher tariffs, they would still choose Chinese drones due to their affordability and advanced technology.
However, American drone manufacturers support the proposed bans and tariffs. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), representing U.S. drone makers, acknowledges the technological gap but attributes it to DJI's dominance in the market and Chinese government subsidies. AUVSI has urged Congress to establish an incentive program to boost local drone production, similar to the CHIPS Act for the semiconductor industry.
While cost is a concern for some, the federal government's primary focus is on security. Critics argue that bills related to China are primarily evaluated through a national security lens, leaving little room for economic trade-offs. The debate intensifies as Florida banned the use of Chinese drones by public safety agencies, drawing criticism from first responders and lawmakers. However, some officials, like Sgt. Cook from Kentucky, remain skeptical of the security risks associated with Chinese drones, stating that the information they capture is no different from what can be seen on platforms like Google Earth.
As the debate rages on, it is clear that more restrictions on Chinese drones are on the horizon. While some departments express support for American-made products, they believe that the technology and price points of Chinese drones still outshine their American counterparts.
Police departments across the U.S. are embracing Chinese-made DJI drones despite Washington's warnings about national security risks.
Lawmakers have introduced bills to ban DJI and increase tariffs on Chinese drones, sparking a heated debate between local safety concerns and a hawkish China policy.
DJI denies allegations of backdoor access to data or unfair subsidies from the Chinese government.
Source: NIKKEI ASIA