AUVSI Supports Section 232 Investigation into Imports of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems 

July 14, 2025

 The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) today expressed strong support for the Department of Commerce’s decision to initiate a Section 232 investigation, including a public comment period, into the national security implications of importing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and their parts and components. 

The investigation, conducted under the authority of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, will examine whether the importation and integration of these systems poses a risk to U.S. national security. The Department of Commerce will examine factors including supply chain concentration, domestic production capacity, and the role of foreign subsidies and pricing practices in shaping the U.S. drone market. The formal review process will include opportunities for public comment and may result in trade remedies if warranted. 

“This investigation is long overdue and reflects growing bipartisan concern over the security, supply chain, and strategic implications of relying on adversary-aligned drone systems,” said Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI. “For too long, U.S. public safety agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and even federal agencies have depended on drones that pose significant risks to our national security. The dependence on adversary-manufactured systems that are dumped in the U.S. below market value due to foreign government subsidies has also stifled the growth of a secure American drone industrial base, undercutting innovation, and forcing U.S. manufacturers to compete on an uneven playing field. Addressing these risks is not only a matter of national defense. It is also essential to restoring U.S. leadership in an increasingly strategic and contested domain.” 

The launch of the Section 232 investigation comes alongside a suite of other federal actions aimed at addressing national security risks and simultaneously strengthening America’s drone ecosystem. These include: 

• The release of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) by the Department of Commerce on connected uncrewed aircraft systems and forthcoming Interim Final Rule  

• White House Executive Order 14305, which directs a federal review of domestic airspace security and the frameworks governing the detection and mitigation of unauthorized drone activity 

• White House Executive Order 14307, which outlines a whole-of-government strategy to reduce reliance on adversary-made drones 

• $20-plus billion in funding for autonomous systems integration, provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) 

• A recent Department of Defense memo aimed at empowering frontline units to acquire and adapt Group 1 and 2 drones, modernizing procurement policies, expanding access to operational testing environments, and formalizing the use tools such as advance purchase commitments and direct loans 

“AUVSI and our members have long advocated for a more secure and competitive drone marketplace,” said Robbins. “This investigation, combined with recent legislative and executive actions, reflects a growing recognition across the federal government that U.S. leadership in drone technology is both a strategic necessity and an economic imperative. We urge the Department of Commerce to move forward swiftly and thoughtfully. U.S. policy must reflect the urgency of these risks, give industry the certainty it needs, and create the long-term conditions for American drone companies to lead in innovation, security, and scale.”  

AUVSI will remain actively engaged with the Department of Commerce and other key agencies on this issue and encourages stakeholders from across industry and civil society to participate in the public comment period. 

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Media Contact:

Ryan Carver

rcarver@auvsi.org