Export Controls Eased on Military Drones

Stating that U.S. export controls must keep pace with the speed and scope of technological developments, the State Department announced recently that it will now review requests to export unmanned aerial systems under the same rules as for fighter aircraft instead of those applicable to missile systems. However, UAS exports “will continue to be consistent with U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” including preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their delivery systems.

According to a department press release, this change complements recent modifications to the national Missile Technology Control Regime-focused export policy, advances reforms made under the 2020 revised UAS export policy, and will enable State to more efficiently adjudicate requests for UAS exports. It is also part of an effort to reform the U.S. foreign defense sales system “to improve accountability and transparency, ensure predictable and reliable delivery of American products to foreign partners, and advance U.S. competitiveness abroad for unmanned systems.”