A group of Republican lawmakers has called on the Biden administration to confront potential national security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured agricultural drones operating on U.S. soil. The concern, detailed in letters sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), centers around the increasing use of these drones in American agriculture and the potential for them to be manipulated for malicious purposes.
Led by Representatives Elise Stefanik, Ashley Hinson, and John Moolenaar, the lawmakers have specifically targeted DJI, a leading Chinese drone manufacturer, whose drones have become popular for their advanced capabilities in crop management. They have requested a formal briefing by September 30 to discuss what the government is doing to mitigate the risks posed by these drones, which are equipped with advanced sensors and aerosol-dispensing mechanisms.
DJI Drones Under Scrutiny
The rise in the use of DJI’s drones in the U.S. agricultural sector has not been without controversy. While the drones offer a range of benefits, including precise data collection and efficient crop management, the lawmakers argue that these advantages come at a high cost to national security.
One of the primary concerns is the potential for these drones to be repurposed as weapons delivery platforms. The lawmakers have noted that the Commerce Department has already imposed export restrictions on aerosol-dispensing drones with military applications. However, they warn that DJI’s agricultural drones, which are equipped with similar technologies, could also be manipulated to carry out attacks on U.S. soil.
The fear is that these drones, which are used to spray crops with pesticides or fertilizers, could be reconfigured to deliver harmful substances, thus posing a potential threat to both food security and public safety.
Data Harvesting Concerns
Another significant issue raised in the letter is the possibility that DJI’s drones could be used to gather sensitive data on U.S. agriculture. These drones are equipped with high-tech sensors capable of collecting and analyzing granular-level data on crop health and soil conditions—data that could potentially be accessed by the Chinese government.
According to the lawmakers, this data could provide a strategic advantage to China by giving it detailed insights into the stability and condition of the U.S. agricultural sector. Such information could be valuable in economic or geopolitical contexts, where controlling or disrupting an opponent’s food supply could provide leverage.
DJI Responds
In response to these accusations, DJI has strongly denied any ties to the Chinese military or government. In a statement, the company emphasized that its drones are strictly civilian tools and are widely used by farmers around the world to enhance productivity and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The Chinese Embassy Weighs In
China’s Embassy in Washington has also responded, condemning what it described as “frequent illegal sanctions” imposed on Chinese companies and individuals under the guise of national security. The Embassy stated that China “firmly supports Chinese companies in carrying out international trade and cooperation in drones for civilian use.”
The Embassy’s statement emphasized that DJI drones are tools for promoting global agricultural innovation and should not be subject to unfair restrictions based on unfounded security concerns.
Legislation and Future Actions
This is not the first time DJI has come under fire from U.S. lawmakers. In 2020, the Trump administration imposed export restrictions on DJI over concerns about the company’s ties to the Chinese government. Today, DJI accounts for over 50% of all drones sold in the U.S., making it a critical player in both commercial and agricultural sectors.
Rep. Elise Stefanik has taken a hard stance on the issue, proposing legislation that would bar new DJI drones from operating in the U.S. She and her colleagues believe immediate action is required to mitigate the potential risks posed by Chinese-manufactured drones in critical industries like agriculture.
The lawmakers’ letter highlights the urgency of addressing the security risks tied to foreign-manufactured technology, particularly in sectors that directly impact the nation’s resilience and economy. As U.S.-China tensions continue to simmer, the debate over DJI’s role in American agriculture will likely intensify, and the outcome of this conversation could have significant implications for both U.S. farmers and national security.
The growing influence of technology in agriculture presents a double-edged sword—while drones and other innovations can help drive efficiency and sustainability, they also open the door to new security vulnerabilities. As this debate unfolds, the U.S. government and private sector will need to balance the benefits of technological advancement with the imperative of safeguarding national interests.