Government review of DJI drone models nears, threatening disruption in the agricultural spray market
In the world of agricultural technology, a significant development is unfolding. Heinen Brothers Agra Services, known for manned crop spraying airplanes, is making a foray into the unmanned space via a new subsidiary called Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, pitched as the most advanced aerial and ground-based agricultural robotics enablement platform in the world.
Meanwhile, a different story is unfolding for DJI, the world's leading drone manufacturer. As of mid-2025, no formal security review or audit of DJI drones has been scheduled or completed by the mandated U.S. national security agency, despite the requirement under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to complete this review by December 23, 2025.
If the review is not completed by the end of 2025, DJI could face significant consequences. The NDAA mandates automatic addition of DJI to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Covered List, which includes communications equipment deemed a national security risk. Being added to this list would have several implications:
- New DJI drones would be banned from entering the U.S. market, as they would be unable to obtain FCC equipment authorizations.
- There is a risk existing FCC licenses for DJI products could be revoked, leading to further market exclusion.
- This ban would take effect automatically regardless of any actual security findings, simply due to missing the review deadline.
The current situation has already made DJI drones difficult to find in the U.S. due to increased customs scrutiny and related import restrictions, alongside the FCC suspension of new equipment authorizations for DJI models. DJI has also not released some of its latest products, such as the Mavic 4 Pro, in the U.S. because of this regulatory uncertainty.
The review required by the defense spending bill is not the only change in the drone market. Companies like Guardian Agriculture, SiFly, and Hylio are making strides in developing larger, faster, and more efficient drones, targeting the agricultural sector. Guardian Agriculture, for instance, plans to make this technology available to customers in Salinas, Yuma, and Coachella this year.
DJI, however, has publicly urged the U.S. government to fulfill this obligation, offering to participate in a transparent audit to demonstrate it does not pose a security risk. The company argues that a credible assessment must allow time for evidence to be reviewed, and must include meaningful opportunities for engagement, clarification, and responsible dialogue.
In the global agricultural drone market, DJI is currently the vast majority supplier operating in the U.S. market. The growth in agricultural drone usage is most significant in the Americas-North America, Central America, and South America-and Southeast Asia, according to DJI. Despite this dominance, the future of DJI in the U.S. remains uncertain, hanging in the balance of the ongoing security review.
References: [1] Heinen Brothers Agra Services announces new subsidiary, Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.heinenbros.com/news/heinen-bros-agra-services-announces-new-subsidiary-kelly-hills-unmanned-systems/ [2] DJI drones could be banned from the U.S. market due to national security concerns. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/dji-drones-could-be-banned-from-the-us-market-due-to-national-security-concerns.html [3] DJI drones could be banned from the U.S. market due to national security concerns. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.engadget.com/dji-drones-could-be-banned-from-the-us-market-due-to-national-security-concerns-040631796.html
- In the realm of finance, it's worth considering the potential impacts on DJI, the world's leading drone manufacturer, if the U.S. national security review of their drones is not completed by the end of 2025, as stipulated by the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
- As technological advancements continue to infiltrate the agricultural sector, with companies like Heinen Brothers Agra Services pioneering the creation of unmanned agricultural robotics, attention must also be given to the politics surrounding the regulation of such technology, particularly in the case of DJI.
