WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, House Committee on Homeland Security member Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced the ‘‘Detecting and Evaluating Foreign Exploitation of Novel Drones Act,’’ or DEFEND Act, which aims to strengthen America’s ability to counter emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones. 

The DEFEND Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to produce a recurring, UAS-specific terrorism threat assessment over a seven-year period focused on how foreign adversaries and terrorist organizations, including the People’s Republic of China and its affiliated entities, as well as cartels, are developing, acquiring, and operationalizing UAS. The assessment will draw on real-world operational lessons from active conflict zones like the Ukraine-Russia war and conflicts in the Middle East, and it will evaluate what those trends mean for the homeland, state and local preparedness efforts, and the private sector. Using real-world examples to analyze these emerging trends will help DHS improve coordination with state, local, tribal, territorial, and private partners to better detect, monitor, and neutralize drone-based threats before they reach U.S. soil.

“As drone technology rapidly transforms the modern battlefield, Congress can’t afford to be in the dark on these evolving threats,”Rep. Crane said. “Due to the widespread availability of drones, adaptable payloads, and remote capabilities, America must maintain a decisive tactical advantage. The DEFEND Act ensures Congress has the knowledge necessary to effectively allocate resources to defend our homeland. I encourage my colleagues to back this approach to close this intelligence blind spot.”

“From drug trafficking along the Southwest border to malicious actors targeting U.S. critical infrastructure or mass-gatherings, drones present a serious threat to our national security and public safety,” House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) said. “To stay ahead of these threats, the United States must have a clearer understanding of the threat landscape. I appreciate Rep. Crane’s leadership on this issue, and I am proud to join him in introducing this critical piece of legislation, which will ensure DHS has the intelligence and resources needed to identify, track, and counter drone-based threats before they endanger Americans.”

“The DEFEND Act is commonsense legislation to ensure DHS stays ahead of rapidly evolving drone threats,” Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Dale Strong (R-AL) said. “I’ve long said that we must look at how foreign adversaries and terrorist organizations exploit UAS abroad and use those lessons to strengthen our defenses here at home. This bill strengthens our preparedness, protects soft targets and critical infrastructure, and equips law enforcement with the tools they need to keep Americans safe.”

“Over the past several years, drones have evolved into highly capable platforms that are inexpensive, widely available, and easily weaponized. As a result, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in their use around the world — including a 4,000 percent rise in drone activity around our nation’s stadiums,” Vice Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) said.“As chairman of the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events, I’m proud to support this legislation. By studying how drones are being deployed globally — from Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb to Iran’s malign activities across the Middle East — we can better anticipate and combat the threats they may pose.”

Cosponsors of Rep. Crane’s legislation include Chairman Garbarino, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Chairman Andy Ogles (R-TN), Subcommittee Chairman Dale Strong, and Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States Chairman McCaul.
 

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