Massive Drone Threat EXPOSED — Urgent Action Begins

Over 600 unauthorized Chinese drones have flown over U.S. military facilities in just two years, prompting urgent Congressional action to confront this rapidly escalating national security threat.

Key Takeaways

• The House Homeland Security Committee is drafting legislation requiring annual threat assessments on foreign adversaries’ drone capabilities for surveillance, strikes, and chemical attacks
• Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel control nearly 90% of the global drone market, with DJI drones widely used by U.S. law enforcement despite security concerns
• The Department of Defense reported more than 600 unauthorized drone flights above U.S. military facilities between 2022 and 2024
• Congress is pushing to declassify national security risks identified by Sandia National Laboratories associated with Chinese-made drones
• Recent legislation includes a ban on the sale of DJI drones in the U.S. as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

Growing Drone Threats from China Prompt Congressional Action

The House Homeland Security Committee is taking decisive steps to address the mounting threat of Chinese drones to America’s national security. The committee is drafting comprehensive legislation that will require the Department of Homeland Security to produce annual threat assessments on the capabilities of foreign adversaries and terrorist networks to deploy drones for surveillance, kinetic strikes, or chemical attacks within U.S. borders. This move comes as China rapidly expands its fleet of militarized drones and increases provocative activities near Taiwan, signaling broader intentions that could directly threaten American interests.

“Drones are no longer just tools of surveillance, they have become weapons of disruption, sabotage, and intimidation,” said Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R., Fla.), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

The alarming reality of this threat has been underscored by Department of Defense reports revealing more than 600 unauthorized drone flights above U.S. military facilities between 2022 and 2024 alone. This troubling pattern of airspace violations near sensitive military installations has raised serious concerns about potential espionage, data collection, and even the possibility of coordinated attacks. With Chinese manufacturers controlling nearly 90% of the global drone market, the risk of compromised technology feeding information back to Beijing represents an unprecedented challenge to American security infrastructure.

Chinese Drone Manufacturers Dominate U.S. Market Despite Security Risks

Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics currently control an overwhelming 90% of the global drone market, with DJI drones widely deployed by state and local law enforcement agencies across America. This market dominance creates a serious vulnerability in America’s security posture, as federal agencies including CISA and the FBI have repeatedly warned against using Chinese-made drones due to significant risks to critical infrastructure and national security. A 2017 alert from Homeland Security Investigations specifically warned that DJI drones might be providing sensitive U.S. data directly to the Chinese government.

“It’s no secret that drones are increasingly being weaponized by adversarial nations and terrorist organizations to surveil, sabotage, and disrupt world peace,” said Chairman Gimenez. As the United States prepares to host high-profile international events, and as our greatest adversaries, Russia, Iran, and Communist China, work to undermine American interests, we must act now. One drone in the wrong hands can threaten lives and cripple critical infrastructure such as air and seaports. This Committee will continue taking proactive steps as drone technology evolves to protect our airspace and ensure the safety of our communities.

The U.S. government has already taken some protective measures, with the Department of Commerce adding DJI to its Entity List in December 2020, restricting U.S. technology exports to the company. More recently, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which includes a complete ban on the sale of DJI drones in the United States. These actions reflect the growing recognition of the security threat posed by Chinese-manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly as these devices become more sophisticated and weaponized.

Military and Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities

Of particular concern to lawmakers is the vulnerability of U.S. military assets and critical infrastructure to drone-based threats. Rep. Gimenez has specifically highlighted concerns about the Coast Guard’s ability to counter drone threats, especially for its fleet operating in the Middle East. The congressman has requested a classified briefing on this issue by July 18, emphasizing the urgent need to address these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by America’s adversaries. The Coast Guard, which operates under unique jurisdictional authorities, may face significant challenges in responding effectively to drone threats.

“I’m deeply concerned that the U.S. The Coast Guard lacks the tools, training, and authority necessary to counter the growing threat of drone warfare,” said Gimenez to the Free Beacon.

Another concerning trend is the acquisition of farmland near U.S. military bases by Chinese entities, which could potentially serve as staging areas for drone surveillance or attacks. This strategic positioning near sensitive installations creates additional vulnerabilities that the new legislation aims to address. Recent drone attacks by adversaries, including a deadly attack by an Iranian-aligned militia in Jordan that killed three American servicemembers, have highlighted the lethality of this evolving threat and the urgent need for comprehensive countermeasures.

Push for Transparency and Public Awareness

House Homeland Security Committee members are pushing for greater transparency regarding the threats posed by Chinese manufactured drones. The committee is urging the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Energy to declassify information on national security risks identified by Sandia National Laboratories associated with these drones. Their argument centers on the public’s right to understand these threats, asserting that this interest outweighs the need to maintain classification, especially since the analysis reportedly doesn’t compromise sensitive intelligence sources or methods.

There is a strong public interest in understanding the threats posed by PRC manufactured drones.

To address these complex and evolving threats, the House Homeland Security Committee has scheduled a hearing titled “Surveillance, Sabotage, and Strikes: Industry Perspectives on How Drone Warfare Abroad Is Transforming Threats at Home” for July 8, 2025. This hearing will bring together industry experts, including leaders from DroneUP, D-Fend Solutions, and AeroVironment, to discuss practical strategies for protecting American airspace and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of weaponized drones deployed by hostile foreign powers and terrorist organizations.