Export Controls
Export Controls
ITAR, drone export policy, and international procurement rules.
Latest Coverage
US Drone Tariffs of Up to 100% Take Effect September 3
A Section 232 proclamation puts 100% duties on drones over 25kg and on thermal imagers, and 25% on everything lighter, starting September 3.
Safran and Baykar Sign Deal to Put French Sensors on TB2 Drones
Safran will integrate its Euroflir optronic systems and navigation tech into Baykar's TB2, replacing the Canadian L3Harris Wescam MX-15 in a deal with clear geopolitical dimensions.
Chinese Firms Still Shipping Drone Parts to Iran and Russia, WSJ Reports
Chinese exporters are openly shipping drone components including engines, batteries, and microchips to Iran and Russia despite US sanctions, the WSJ reports.
Ukraine's Drone Deal: Exporting Battle-Tested Weapons
Ukraine is launching a structured arms export program selling combat-proven drones and electronic warfare systems to allies.
Red Cat to Deliver 173 Black Widow Drones to Japan
Red Cat Holdings wins ATLA contract to supply 173 Black Widow sUAS to Japan Ground Self-Defense Force under FY2026 procurement.
No One Is Replacing DJI in the US Consumer Market
The DJI ban has left a gap no US dronemaker wants to fill. Defense contracts pay better, and nobody is competing for the 90% of the market DJI dominated.
Beijing Bans Drone Sales and Storage in Urban Areas
Beijing's May 1 drone restrictions — sales bans, storage caps, mandatory registration — signal a tightening global model.
Companies
DJI
Chinese private manufacturer of consumer, enterprise and agricultural drones, cameras and imaging systems.
China
Autel Robotics
Chinese drone manufacturer producing consumer and commercial UAVs, including the EVO and Dragonfish series, with a growing presence in defense-adjacent markets.
China
Red Cat Holdings
US defense drone company supplying NDAA-compliant small unmanned systems for military reconnaissance through its Teal Drones subsidiary.
United States
Unusual Machines
US drone manufacturer and components distributor building NDAA-compliant drones and supplying parts to reduce American dependence on Chinese drone supply chains.
United States
Baykar
Turkish defense company behind the Bayraktar TB2, the most widely exported armed drone of the past decade, now also the owner of Italy's Piaggio Aerospace.
Turkey
L3Harris Technologies
US defense electronics and systems integrator producing ISR platforms, communications systems, and drone components.
United States
Skydio
US drone manufacturer building AI-powered autonomous aircraft, supplying NDAA-compliant enterprise and defense drones to government agencies and commercial operators.
United States
Recent Contracts
defense
Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency, Red Cat Holdings
Delivery of 173 Black Widow sUAS systems to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for tactical ISR...
defense
Powerus (Autonomous Power Corporation), Unusual Machines
Supply contract for US-manufactured components for counter-UAS interceptor systems and 10-inch...
defense
U.S. Air Forces Central, Skydio
Order for Skydio Dock and X10 autonomous drone systems to provide perimeter security at USAFCENT...