American-Made Drones Take Flight: What the New Executive Order Means for Security Teams
The White House has issued a groundbreaking executive order that puts American-made drones front and center for security and public safety operations. In plain terms, the U.S. government is telling agencies: use drones built here at home, not ones from overseas. This move comes amid rising concerns about foreign-made drones (especially those from China) and a big push to boost American innovation and jobs. For VIP protection details, campus security units, venue safety teams, and other security professionals, this policy is poised to shake up the tools and tech you rely on. Let’s break down what the executive order does, why it’s happening, and how it will impact your operations.
The Executive Order’s Intent and Context
In June 2025, the President signed an executive order (in fact, a pair of them) aimed at revitalizing the American drone industry and safeguarding U.S. airspace.¹ The intent is clear: accelerate U.S. leadership in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and make domestically produced drones the default choice for government and public safety missions. In other words, the administration wants to scale up U.S. drone production and reduce reliance on foreign drones.² ¹ This is a strategic move to ensure the benefits of drone technology – from faster emergency response to advanced surveillance – are delivered by trusted American-made equipment.
Key directives in the executive order include:¹
Fast-Tracking Drone Integration: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is instructed to expedite rules for routine beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for drones used in commercial and public safety missions. This means getting regulations in place so drones can fly longer distances and beyond the operator’s eyesight for tasks like search-and-rescue or perimeter security. Such BVLOS capabilities are seen as a “powerful catalyst” for growth in public safety drone use.¹
Advancing Cutting-Edge Projects: The order launches pilot programs for emerging technologies like electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft – think of drone-like air taxis or cargo carriers – to explore their use in cargo transport, medical response, and other applications.³ ¹ It’s an effort to keep the U.S. on the forefront of next-gen aerial tech, which could one day be part of security fleets for rapid deployment or emergency logistics.
Streamlining Approvals with AI: Federal agencies are directed to deploy artificial intelligence tools to speed up drone flight approvals and waivers.³ For security teams, this could mean faster permission to deploy drones in complex scenarios, as AI helps the FAA safely grant waivers for operations at night, over people, or in other tricky situations.
Prioritizing U.S.-Made Drones: Perhaps the biggest mandate is that federal agencies must prioritize buying and using drones made in the United States whenever possible.⁴ The order explicitly pushes agencies to “integrate UAS manufactured in the United States over those made abroad to the maximum extent permitted by law.”⁴ This is huge – it sets the tone that American-made is the new gold standard for government drone operations.
Expanding Export Opportunities: The administration also wants U.S. drone makers to succeed globally. The order directs officials to help promote the export of American-made drones through loans, financing, and updated export controls.⁴ ¹ A stronger U.S. drone industry at home could mean more trusted American drones available for allies abroad who are also nervous about foreign tech.¹
All these moves signal a “sweeping commitment” by Washington to boost the domestic drone sector and integrate drones more broadly into national airspace.¹ In short, the government is not only clearing the runway for more drone use in public safety, but also ensuring those drones are built by American hands. By creating tangible incentives for end users and integrators to choose U.S.-made systems, the order aims to make American drones the default choice for police departments, fire crews, and security agencies across the country.¹
Securing the Skies: Why Foreign-Made Drones Raise Concerns
Why the sudden insistence on “Made in USA” drones? The answer lies in mounting security, privacy, and supply chain concerns with foreign-manufactured drones – particularly those made in China. Over the past decade, Chinese companies (most famously DJI) have dominated the drone market, and that’s begun to make U.S. officials very uneasy.⁵
Data Security & Sovereignty: Security professionals know that drones aren’t just flying toys – they’re eyes in the sky collecting sensitive video and data. If that data is being funneled through foreign-made hardware or software, who else might access it? U.S. officials worry that drones built by adversary nations could be remotely accessed, potentially sending your surveillance footage or critical infrastructure data back to servers overseas.⁶ ⁷ In fact, the Commerce Department has warned that drones from China or Russia could be manipulated or controlled remotely, “exposing sensitive U.S. data,” and is considering new rules to restrict them.⁶ This is a paramount concern for agencies using drones for security patrols, accident scene mapping, or emergency response – you don’t want that imagery quietly copied to a foreign cloud.
Adding to the concern, Chinese laws (like the National Intelligence Law) can compel Chinese companies to share data with Beijing’s government.⁸ That means a Chinese-made drone used by a U.S. police department could, in theory, be obliged to hand over any collected data to Chinese authorities. It’s a stark data sovereignty issue: if the drone isn’t made here, we can’t fully control where its data goes or who might see it.⁸ This blurred line between Chinese tech firms and state intelligence is a big red flag for U.S. national security.⁸
Supply Chain Transparency & Risks: Beyond data, there’s the hardware supply chain. Drones are complex systems with components like cameras, sensors, chips, batteries – and many of these parts are sourced from China even if the drone is assembled elsewhere.⁹ The dominance of Chinese suppliers means that even non-Chinese drone brands might rely on critical Chinese parts.⁹ This raises two issues: First, hidden vulnerabilities or backdoors could be introduced in the manufacturing process without our knowledge. Second, in a geopolitical pinch, China could restrict access to these components. We’ve already seen hints of this: in 2023, the Chinese government added U.S. drone firms (including some American manufacturers) to an export restriction list, essentially choking off their supply of Chinese-made parts like batteries.¹⁰ For example, one report noted China prohibited its companies from supplying a key U.S. drone maker (Skydio) after that company provided drones to Taiwan, causing a supply crisis for Skydio’s batteries.¹⁰ The message was clear – reliance on a foreign adversary’s parts can become a strategic liability.
Market Dominance of Chinese Drones: The scale of Chinese drone penetration into the U.S. market has been described as an almost insurmountable head start. According to the industry association AUVSI, Chinese companies (boosted by government subsidies) account for over 90% of the U.S. consumer drone market, about 70% of the enterprise drone market, and a stunning 92% of the drones used by state and local first responders.⁵ ¹¹ Think about that – roughly 9 out of 10 drones flying for your local fire or police department are reportedly made in China. From a security standpoint, that’s a lot of eggs in one basket. It means American public safety agencies have been heavily dependent on a single foreign source for their eyes in the sky.
With such dominance, it’s not just a national security worry but also a reliability issue. If, say, trade relations worsen or a ban comes into effect, agencies could suddenly find their drone fleets grounded due to lack of approved equipment or spare parts. This executive order is proactively addressing that single-point-of-failure risk by pushing diversification through domestic alternatives. Officials argue that for too long, “unfair foreign competition” not only posed security risks but also undercut the U.S. drone industry, discouraging local innovation.³ The new policy is meant to flip that script – prioritizing U.S.-manufactured drones, securing supply chains, and ensuring the tech we deploy for critical missions is free from undue foreign influence or exploitation.³
Bottom line: The government’s stance is that if a drone is watching over Americans, it should be built by Americans (or at least by trusted, allied sources). By tightening restrictions on foreign-made drones in government use and shining a spotlight on the security pitfalls of imported tech, the executive order aims to restore confidence that the drones buzzing over our cities and facilities are not potential Trojan horses. For security professionals, this means the drones you deploy will increasingly need to meet high bars for security and transparency – and many off-the-shelf models from overseas might no longer cut it.
Championing American Ingenuity, Innovation, and Jobs
There’s a patriotic upside to this drone push: it’s not just about fear of foreign gadgets, but also a positive drive to build up American tech leadership and create jobs. Drones are seen as a key emerging industry – one that the U.S. wants to dominate in the same way it once did personal computers or the internet. By favoring American-made UAS, the executive order is effectively issuing a challenge (and an invitation) to U.S. companies: innovate, scale up, and we’ll support you.¹ ¹²
American Tech Resurgence: The administration’s view is that drones are going to be as ubiquitous and transformative as automobiles or computers, touching everything from logistics, agriculture and infrastructure inspection to emergency response and public safety.² Ensuring the U.S. leads in this arena is a matter of both economic and strategic pride. As the White House Fact Sheet put it, “drones enhance U.S. productivity, create high-skilled jobs, and are reshaping the future of aviation” across many industries.³ By unleashing American drone dominance, the order aims to harness this potential for domestic benefit – boosting productivity and cementing global leadership at the same time.³
Think of it as the space race, but for drones: a national effort to be number one in the skies of the future. The government is not shy about saying that American drones should lead the world and be an export success, not just a home winner.² This entails not only regulatory support (like quicker FAA approvals, as mentioned earlier) but also economic policies to nurture the industry – for example, trade and financing tools to open overseas markets to U.S. drones.¹ It’s a full-court press to make “Made in USA” a competitive advantage in the drone marketplace.
Jobs and the Economy: For security professionals on the ground, talk of jobs might seem abstract, but it matters. A stronger domestic drone industry means more American engineers, technicians, and manufacturers are employed building the tools you use. It means when you call tech support or need custom integration, you’re dealing with a company down the road or at least in the same country, not halfway around the world. The executive order explicitly highlights creating “high-skilled jobs” and expanding the drone workforce in the U.S. as a benefit of this policy.³ This could translate to more local support, training, and collaboration opportunities between security agencies and drone makers.
Leaders in the field are applauding this focus on homegrown talent. As one American drone CEO put it, strengthening America’s capacity to develop and manufacture drones is “creating jobs and saving lives” – reinforcing that building domestically isn’t just about economics, but about better solutions for public safety.¹ When the people designing the drones are in tune with the needs of U.S. first responders and security teams, the technology can evolve in ways that directly solve your challenges. We’ve already seen, for instance, drones being tailored for tasks like indoor tactical scouting for SWAT teams or automated perimeter patrols – much of that innovation is driven by close feedback loops between end-users and manufacturers, something that’s easier when both are in the same country.
American Can-Do Spirit: There’s also a narrative of regaining leadership. It’s no secret that the U.S. drone industry had fallen behind in the 2010s – a fact often lamented by professionals. David Benowitz of BRINC (a rising American drone company) noted it had been “sad that the U.S. has been behind in production capacity in this space”, given how critical drones have become.¹³ Now, with Washington’s backing, there’s fresh momentum. Industry experts believe the U.S. is up to the challenge of catching up and even overtaking the global drone leaders, especially if the government follows through with funding and an “aggressive roadmap” for growth.¹³ We might witness a renaissance of American drone innovation – akin to how U.S. tech boomed when given the right support during the computer revolution.
For security teams, an American drone boom could mean access to more advanced, secure features sooner than later. When multiple domestic companies compete to win contracts and meet agencies’ needs, it drives rapid innovation. We may see improvements like longer flight times, better autonomous navigation, more resilient communication links, and specialized payloads (sensors, night vision, less-lethal devices, etc.) designed expressly for public safety scenarios. The executive order, by emphasizing American ingenuity, is essentially saying “let’s bet on our own inventors to solve our security tech needs.” And that bet might pay off in the form of better gear for everyone from campus security officers to Secret Service details.
From Imports to Homegrown: Implications for Labor, Customs, and Procurement
Shifting an industry’s supply chain and customer habits is a big undertaking. What does this move away from foreign drones toward domestic production mean in practical terms? There are implications for the workforce, for import policies, and for how organizations procure their drone equipment going forward.
Building a Domestic Workforce: As American companies scale up to meet the demand for UAS, we’re likely to see growth in manufacturing and engineering jobs. This is somewhat rare good news for U.S. manufacturing – a high-tech product being built (at least partly) onshore means more hands-on jobs from the factory floor to field support. For example, if a police department in California buys drones from a California-based company, that company might be hiring more local technicians for assembly and maintenance. The executive order not only incentivizes production but also calls for using FAA test ranges and funding programs to support drone development across the country.⁴ ¹ One provision even includes federal grants to help state and local agencies buy drones and related technology.⁴ These grants could both spur local demand and help agencies afford American systems, which historically have been pricier than some Chinese models.
All of this suggests a virtuous cycle: government funding makes it easier for a small-town fire department to buy a made-in-USA drone; that purchase helps the manufacturer grow and hire more people; those workers in turn contribute to economies in their communities. For security managers, there’s also an operational angle – local suppliers can often offer better training and support. You might find it easier to get on-site demos, speak to the engineers, or customize features when the vendor is U.S.-based and eager to win your business. The national push for domestic drones is fundamentally also a push to cultivate local expertise and service in the long run.
Customs and Import Changes: On the flip side, reliance on foreign suppliers is being actively discouraged – not by subtle means either. The U.S. government is leveraging trade tools to tilt the playing field. In fact, earlier in 2025 the U.S. hit Chinese drone imports with steep tariffs (reportedly as high as a combined 170% duty on most drones and parts).¹⁴ These kinds of tariffs instantly make imported drones far more expensive, eroding the price advantage that, say, a DJI drone might have had over a U.S. competitor. Such import penalties are a strong signal to the market: if you keep buying foreign, it’s going to cost you. While there was some temporary suspension of these tariffs amid industry shock,¹⁴ the “tariff whiplash” demonstrated the administration’s willingness to use aggressive measures to protect the nascent domestic drone manufacturing base.
For anyone involved in procurement or budgeting, this means you have to account for new variables. The drone that was $5,000 last year might effectively cost $8,500 now if it’s foreign-made and subject to tariffs. We could also see tighter import restrictions or even outright bans for certain foreign drones in government use. In fact, a new federal acquisition rule is coming into effect that prohibits federal funds from being used to procure or operate drones from certain covered foreign entities (read: Chinese manufacturers on security blacklists).¹¹ By the end of 2025, federally funded contracts won’t allow any drones from those blacklisted companies, period.¹¹ That means if your campus police drone program relies on a grant or federal funding, you’ll need to ensure compliance with these rules or risk losing the funds.
Procurement Adjustments: Practically, security and public safety agencies should start auditing their drone fleets and supply chains now. Many agencies have already pivoted away from Chinese drones due to earlier guidance (for instance, the Department of Defense’s “Blue UAS” program has provided a list of approved, secure drone models for government use).¹⁵ The executive order reinforces this by expanding the Blue UAS concept to more agencies and even components (it calls for including all NDAA-compliant drones and parts on the approved list).¹⁵ We’re moving toward a future where if you want to buy a new drone for your security team, you might be required (or at least strongly incentivized) to choose from a list of vetted American or allied manufacturers.
Agencies that already invested heavily in foreign drones might be concerned about sunk costs. The administration seems aware of this and is choosing carrots as well as sticks. Instead of an immediate, absolute ban that “grounds” all Chinese-made drones overnight (which could leave first responders without tools), the strategy is to incentivize the shift and build up alternatives first.¹³ Brendan Stewart of Red Cat (parent of Teal Drones) noted that this approach – creating favorable conditions for U.S. products – is a “great balance between preventing massive disruptions to the user base, while also driving the conditions to build an American industrial base for UAS”.¹³ In other words, you won’t be forced to throw all your DJI drones in a dumpster tomorrow; but as you replace and upgrade, the replacements are increasingly likely to be American models, especially with new funding and policies nudging you that direction.
Labor and Cost Considerations: Domestic drones have historically come at a higher price point than their Chinese counterparts. A common refrain from local agencies is that DJI drones offered high capability at a fraction of the cost of U.S. options.¹⁶ ¹⁷ This executive order, coupled with potential grants, is trying to offset that. By providing funding support and by stimulating competition among U.S. companies, the hope is that economies of scale kick in and prices become more palatable. We’re already seeing more players enter the market, which tends to drive costs down over time for comparable tech. And remember, price isn’t the only factor – value includes data security, reliability of supply, and support, areas where domestic drones aim to excel.
For security teams, budget planning should take into account possible trade-in programs or grant opportunities. It wouldn’t be surprising to see federal or state initiatives that help agencies swap out foreign drones for local ones (similar to vehicle fleet modernization programs). Additionally, customs delays or checks on foreign drones might get more stringent – something to keep in mind if you’re ordering specialized parts from overseas. All signs point to it becoming simpler and smoother to go through a U.S. supplier than to import a drone kit from abroad.
In summary, the pivot to American-made drones means short-term adjustments but long-term resilience. Yes, you might pay a bit more upfront for that U.S.-made quadcopter, but you gain assurance it won’t be suddenly embargoed and that its data links are secure. Plus, you’re investing in a domestic ecosystem that will only grow more robust with your support. The executive order is essentially underwriting that bet: providing cover (via policy, funding, and trade measures) so that choosing American for your next drone purchase isn’t just about patriotism, but about smart business and mission continuity.
Homegrown Heroes: U.S. Drone Manufacturers Rising to the Challenge
The good news is that American companies are already stepping up to fill the void. A number of U.S. drone manufacturers have been quietly (and now not so quietly) developing impressive capabilities, and they’re poised to become household names in security circles. Here are a few leading lights that are rising to meet the demand for American-made drones:
Skydio: Based in California, Skydio is often cited as the poster child for American drone innovation. The company made waves with its AI-powered autonomous drones that can navigate and avoid obstacles on their own – a feature that’s golden for tactical surveillance in complex environments. In 2023, Skydio pivoted from the consumer hobby market to focus entirely on enterprise, public safety, and defense customers.¹⁸ Since then, it has caught the eye of the U.S. Army and other federal agencies; even the Deputy Secretary of Defense visited Skydio to see how its technology could help “outpace China” in the drone race.¹⁸ Skydio’s drones (like the X2D and the upcoming X10) have secured spots on the Pentagon’s approved Blue UAS list, meaning they’re vetted for security and trusted by the DoD.¹⁹ For practical purposes, Skydio’s solutions – which include rapid-deploy foldable drones and “drone-in-a-box” systems for automated patrols – are already being used by police departments and emergency responders domestically. Expect to hear this name often as agencies replace foreign quadcopters with Skydio’s made-in-USA birds.
BRINC Drones: Founded in Las Vegas and now headquartered in Seattle, BRINC emerged directly in response to security tragedies (the company’s origin was after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting). BRINC focuses on drones for special tactics and public safety scenarios. Their flagship Lemur 2 drone is designed for SWAT and indoor operations – it can fly in confined spaces, bust through glass windows, broadcast two-way communications (like a flying PA system), and even generate 3D indoor maps using LiDAR.²⁰ BRINC also recently introduced a new model called the Guardian, tailored for Drone-as-First-Responder programs (meaning it can automatically dispatch from a docking station to an incident and give live video to responders).²¹ All BRINC drones are NDAA-compliant and manufactured in the U.S., and the company proudly notes its gear is deployed by over 400 public safety agencies worldwide.²⁰ For security teams, BRINC’s value proposition is a drone that’s built from the ground up to save lives in critical incidents – whether it’s a hostage situation, an active shooter event, or a search and rescue in a collapsed building. The executive order’s emphasis on public safety drones plays right into BRINC’s wheelhouse, and we can expect its technology (and competitors in the same niche) to advance rapidly with new investment.
Teal Drones (Red Cat Holdings): Utah-based Teal is another American manufacturer making waves, particularly in the defense and reconnaissance space. Teal was one of the original companies in the Pentagon’s initiative to find alternatives to DJI; it developed the Teal Golden Eagle, a compact surveillance drone, and more recently the Teal 2 system.²² Teal’s drones are notable for capabilities like night operations (the Teal 2 carries a high-end thermal sensor from FLIR for seeing in the dark).²² Both the Golden Eagle and Teal 2 earned their place on the DoD’s Blue UAS Cleared List, signaling they meet stringent security and supply chain criteria.²² Teal is owned by Red Cat Holdings, which has been vocal in support of the new executive order. Red Cat’s team points out that modernizing the military’s drone procurement (one of the order’s directives) will open doors for more U.S. manufacturers – and Teal is ready to compete in that space.¹³ For domestic security agencies, Teal’s military pedigree means these drones are rugged, secure, and built for tactical ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance). They might be slightly overkill for, say, routine campus patrol (and not cheap), but for agencies looking for battle-tested hardware, Teal is a name to watch.
Inspired Flight: A homegrown manufacturer out of California, Inspired Flight specializes in heavy-lift and industrial drones used by government and commercial clients. If Skydio and BRINC focus on smaller quadcopters, Inspired Flight builds larger multirotor platforms (like the IF800 and IF1200) that can carry hefty payloads – useful for tasks such as mapping, surveying, or carrying specialized sensors. Inspired Flight’s drones are NDAA-compliant and have already been deployed across federal, public safety, and utility operations.¹ These are exactly the kinds of domestic platforms the executive order seeks to scale through demand, funding, and policy support. In practical terms, if you need a heavier-duty drone for your operations (beyond the small quadcopters), this is one of the domestic players you might be procuring from.
These are just a few examples; the U.S. drone ecosystem overall is broadening. Others include Skyfish (known for photogrammetry drones, also Blue UAS listed), Vantage Robotics (makers of the Vesper drone used by some government agencies), AgEagle (which acquired a fixed-wing drone line and makes mapping drones like the eBee), and even big defense contractors dabbling in drones. Startups are attracting investment as well – a recent trend has seen Silicon Valley investors funding police drone programs and lobbying to limit Chinese drones, indicating a strong belief that the market for American security drones is about to boom.
For security professionals, this growing roster of domestic suppliers means more choice and competition. As these companies duke it out to become the go-to provider for law enforcement and security customers, we’re likely to benefit from better features and service. It’s akin to having multiple trusted radio or bodycam vendors – competition spurs innovation. And unlike the past where one or two foreign brands dominated, you’ll have the leverage to demand specific capabilities or pricing, knowing there are alternative American suppliers in the wings if one doesn’t meet your needs.
A Global Shift: How Others Are Responding and Security Tradeoffs
The U.S. isn’t alone in rethinking its drone strategy. Around the world, concerns about security and supply chain sovereignty are prompting similar moves – though approaches differ by country and region.
Europe’s Balancing Act: The European Union has been more cautious about outright bans, but EU countries are certainly paying attention to drone security. Europe has been busy establishing comprehensive drone regulations (like uniform safety rules, remote ID requirements, etc.) to integrate drones into society. While the EU hasn’t implemented blanket prohibitions on Chinese drones for civilian use, several European governments have tightened procurement rules to favor trusted suppliers. Reports indicate that European authorities, much like the U.S., are scrutinizing Chinese drone tech and even adding some Chinese drone makers to sanctions lists.¹⁴ The rationale is the same – concerns that reliance on an outside nation (especially one that might be a geopolitical rival) for critical tech could backfire. Moreover, European drone makers (for instance, France’s Parrot or Denmark’s Sky-Watch) have been positioning themselves as secure alternatives, much as American firms have. The global market share of DJI in Europe is still large, but EU security agencies in countries like France, Germany, and the UK have started to diversify their fleets with non-Chinese drones for sensitive operations. In essence, the Western alliance broadly is moving toward more resilient and transparent drone supply chains, even if the U.S. is taking the most aggressive stance.¹⁸
China’s Dominance & Reaction: China, for its part, continues to hold a massive chunk of the global drone market. DJI alone has been estimated to account for 70-80% of all commercial drones sold worldwide. This dominance was built on a combination of cutting-edge innovation and economies of scale – Chinese drones are often high-quality and significantly cheaper due to subsidized manufacturing.⁸ ¹⁶ That’s the core of the security tradeoff debate: cost and convenience vs. control and trust. Many public safety officials have acknowledged that DJI drones, for example, “have been more capable and significantly cheaper” than comparable domestic options.¹⁷ This is why hundreds of police and fire departments adopted them in the first place – they stretched budget dollars and delivered results. Banning or replacing them isn’t taken lightly. One U.S. drone executive even remarked that the new U.S. policy is trying to reduce demand for Chinese drones in a smart way, rather than simply yanking them off the shelf and leaving users with nothing.¹³
However, China isn’t sitting idle. Feeling the pressure from U.S. actions, the Chinese government has responded with its own measures – like the aforementioned restrictions on exporting drone components to the U.S. and naming American drone companies on an “unreliable entities” list.¹⁴ ¹⁰ It’s a bit of a tech tug-of-war. For global security users, this rivalry means that the drone tech landscape could diverge: a Chinese sphere (with DJI continuing to innovate but facing more bans in Western markets) and a Western sphere (with U.S. and allied producers collaborating on alternatives). We already see this in military contexts (NATO countries avoid Chinese drones), and it might become the norm in civilian security too.
Other Countries’ Strategies: Interestingly, some countries are taking even more drastic steps than the U.S. India, for example, went so far as to totally ban the import of drones in 2022 (with exceptions for parts).¹⁹ India’s rationale was to kickstart its own domestic drone industry – basically, forcing the market to buy local by eliminating foreign options. Indian officials openly said they didn’t want to “let the benefit go to some other country” and wanted to encourage “young and bright minds” in India to develop drones by banning imports.¹⁹ This kind of full import ban is a blunt instrument, and it caused a stir since Indian companies had to race to fill the gap. It’s a bold example of prioritizing local industry growth over immediate availability. While the U.S. hasn’t banned commercial drone imports outright, the heavy tariffs and government purchase bans are steps in that direction, albeit targeted ones.
We should also note that as the U.S. and allies emphasize secure drones, some adversary nations or non-state actors might lean more on the readily available Chinese drones. There’s a flip side where, for instance, less tech-secure countries continue buying cheap DJI drones, and there have been instances of such drones being used in conflicts or by criminal groups. The global drone market is thus bifurcating: high-trust environments moving toward vetted drones, while others just go for the cost-effective option. Over time, if domestic production scales up and prices come down, American-made drones could become more competitive globally, chipping away at China’s market share even in neutral markets.
Security Tradeoffs for Users: All this global context reinforces the tradeoffs at play. For a security team, using a Chinese-made drone might offer top-notch tech at a good price, but it comes with uncertainty – Will firmware updates suddenly get blocked due to sanctions? Is your data at risk? Will you face public scrutiny or regulatory issues for flying that equipment? On the other hand, shifting to an American-made drone might mean a higher upfront cost or maybe slightly less polish in the short term (as some domestic models are newer to the game), but you gain peace of mind and support national objectives. The executive order is trying to tip the scales so that the “cost” factor is mitigated (through funding, etc.) and the security factor dominates the decision.
The European Union’s drone strategy even points out an interesting perspective: they emphasize “technological sovereignty” – ensuring that critical technology can be developed and provided within Europe. The U.S. drone push is a mirror of that sentiment for America. Western governments are essentially saying that drones – which will be ubiquitous in law enforcement, infrastructure, and possibly delivery – are too important to be left to an untrusted supply chain. Just as there’s been a push to secure 5G networks by excluding certain foreign telecom gear, drones are getting the same treatment for the sake of national and economic security.⁸
For security professionals on the ground, it’s worth keeping an eye on how these global trends evolve. If your operations ever take you abroad or involve international partnerships (imagine coordinating drone security for a global event or sharing aerial data with an ally), compatibility and trust of hardware could become an issue. In a few years, we might see “secure drone” certifications or international agreements on drone data handling. The U.S. is likely to push for its allies to also adopt American or allied drones, creating a kind of trusted network of drone tech across borders.
Embracing the New Era of American Drones
The President’s executive order marks a turning point for the drone industry and the security professionals who depend on it. By firmly pushing American-made drones as the new standard, the policy is weaving together threads of national security, economic growth, and technological innovation. What does this all boil down to for teams on the ground? In the coming years, you can expect to see more U.S.-built drones in your inventory, and you might even get extra funding to acquire them. Those drones will come with the promise of better security – no unexpected data leaks or supply cut-offs – and with the pride of supporting domestic tech talent.
There will, of course, be a transition period. Agencies currently flying fleets of DJI aircraft won’t replace them overnight. But the writing is on the wall that we’re moving toward a future where the default question will be “which American (or allied) drone should we use for this job?” rather than automatically reaching for a foreign-made one. The ecosystem around you will also adapt: training programs will focus on the new platforms, support networks will grow for domestic brands, and policies will increasingly favor those choices. For example, when applying for grants or budgeting, referencing how you’re aligning with the executive order’s goals (e.g. choosing NDAA-compliant UAS) could strengthen your case.
Importantly, the capabilities available to you will keep improving. American companies are in an innovation race, spurred by both competition and government investment. We talked about features like autonomous flight, indoor navigation, and advanced payloads – these will only get better and more varied. The executive order also accelerates things like BVLOS approvals and remote ID implementation, which means operationally you’ll be able to do more with drones (cover larger perimeters, respond faster, manage more drones at once) as regulations catch up to tech.¹ It’s not just a mandate to “buy American,” it’s coupled with efforts to make drones more useful and integrated in public safety – a holistic approach that ultimately benefits how you do your job.
As this new era takes flight, security professionals can take a few proactive steps: start familiarizing your team with the leading U.S. drone platforms (many manufacturers offer demo programs or training for public safety). Review your agency’s policies and data management – ensure you’re ready to handle the data securely on your end as well, since the tech will be only as secure as the practices around it. And keep an eye out for new guidance from federal bodies (FAA, DHS, etc.) because they will be rolling out updates in line with the executive order – whether it’s new counter-drone detection tools available for your use or information-sharing systems for drone tracking.⁴
The shift to American-made drones is as much about trust and reliability as it is about national pride. By mitigating the risks associated with foreign drones and bolstering the domestic tech sector, the U.S. government is aiming to ensure that when a drone is overhead during the next big event or critical incident, everyone can be confident about who built it, where its data is going, and whether it’ll be there when you need it. For security and public safety teams, that means greater confidence in the tools of your trade.
In the end, the executive order is a call to embrace American ingenuity in securing the homeland. It’s about turning potential vulnerabilities into strengths. As one industry executive put it, this moment is a “turning point” – not just for manufacturers, but for end users who will soon have a range of U.S.-driven solutions at their fingertips.¹ So get ready to welcome more red, white, and blue into your drone fleet. The sky is literally the limit, and it’s being redefined on American terms, with security professionals like you reaping the benefits of a safer, more sovereign tech landscape.
Sources
White House Fact Sheet on the President’s 2025 Executive Orders related to UAS integration, BVLOS, and U.S.-made procurement priorities.
Industry analysis summarizing administration goals to scale U.S. drone production and reduce reliance on foreign systems.
Administration briefing on accelerating U.S. drone leadership: AI-enabled waiver processing, workforce impact, and export expansion.
Federal guidance on prioritizing U.S.-manufactured UAS in agency acquisitions and expanding grant access and export tools.
AUVSI and related testimony on Chinese market dominance across U.S. consumer, enterprise, and public safety segments.
U.S. Department of Commerce statements and proposed rules regarding national security risks from PRC/Russian UAS.
National security analyses warning of remote access/manipulation risks in foreign-made UAS platforms.
Summaries of China’s National Intelligence Law and implications for data sovereignty and corporate obligations.
Supply-chain reporting on Chinese-origin components (batteries, optics, chipsets) within global UAS manufacturing.
Reports on PRC export restrictions affecting U.S. UAS firms (e.g., battery supply constraints after Taiwan-related deliveries).
Federal acquisition rulemaking on “covered foreign entities” and deadlines restricting grant-funded purchases of blacklisted UAS.
Economic policy framing of drones as a strategic industry for U.S. leadership and job creation.
U.S. industry commentary (e.g., Red Cat/Teal) on incentivizing demand for domestic UAS vs. abrupt bans.
Trade coverage on 2025 tariff actions, temporary suspensions, and renewed import enforcement impacting PRC UAS.
DoD “Blue UAS” lists and expansion proposals to include NDAA-compliant components.
Public safety buyer commentary comparing cost/capability of DJI vs. domestic alternatives.
Municipal procurement experiences noting lower upfront costs of PRC UAS and operational tradeoffs.
Profiles of U.S. drone firms (Skydio, Parrot in EU context, etc.) and European procurement shifts toward trusted suppliers.
India’s 2022 decision to ban drone imports (except parts) to jumpstart domestic industry.