US Launches $1.5B Plan to Build Drones at Home

America is taking back its skies with a bold plan to build drones right here at home.

Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina introduced the American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act of 2026, a bill that would help U.S. law enforcement agencies replace their Chinese-made drones with American alternatives. The legislation sets aside $1.5 billion in federal funding to make the transition smooth and affordable.

Right now, Chinese companies dominate the drone market in America. In Texas alone, 879 of the 966 drones used by police and sheriff's departments in 2024 came from Chinese manufacturer DJI. That's more than 90 percent.

The new bill offers agencies an off-ramp from this dependence. Starting January 1, 2027, federal grant money would only go to departments that commit to buying American-made drones instead of foreign ones.

Harrigan, who serves on House Armed Services Committee subcommittees, says recent conflicts have proven how critical drones have become. "One of the clearest lessons from Ukraine is that drones are no longer a niche capability. They're a foundational part of modern warfare," he explained.

Drones have already transformed border security, helping agents monitor vast stretches of land quickly and efficiently. A 2020 memo from then-Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott predicted that drone technology would achieve "levels of detection, response and interdiction efficiencies not realized by current capabilities."

The Ripple Effect

This investment means more than just security upgrades. Building drones in America creates manufacturing jobs and strengthens supply chains that don't depend on foreign governments. The funding comes from existing Section 301 tariffs, so it won't add to the deficit.

Local police departments would get the tools they need without worrying about data security risks. Cities across America have embraced drone technology for search and rescue operations, accident investigations, and emergency response. Now those departments can upgrade to American-made equipment with federal support.

The bill also signals a broader shift toward bringing critical manufacturing back home. When essential technology comes from domestic sources, communities gain both security and economic opportunity.

Harrigan believes the future of public safety includes drones, but that future should be built in America. "If drones are going to play a central role in national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure, America needs to be able to build them here at home," he said.

The bill awaits consideration on the House floor, where it could unlock a new era of American drone innovation.