Bill for $15M proposed to replace drones made in China being used by North Dakota agencies

Image courtesy of North Dakota Aeronautics Commission

Republican Mike Nathe submitted a bill this week that proposed to spend $15 million to replace Chinese drones used by law enforcement, oil regulators, colleges and other state agencies.

Nathe mentioned the drones hover over oil fields, missile sites, Air Force bases, agriculture land and more.

“That’s not only a security concern for North Dakota, it’s a security concern for the U.S,” Nathe said.

Almost 90% of the drones in use by North Dakota agencies and public colleges and universities are manufactured in China. There are 353 drones being used and Nathe said he’s concerned agencies could unknowingly be transmitting information about the state’s infrastructure to the Chinese.

Some groups have already worked to phase out the drones, including North Dakota State University who is looking to get rid of Chinese-made drones by December 2025.