FBI Launches National Training Center to Combat Rising Drone Threats

FBI Director Kash Patel announced Saturday that the Trump administration is intensifying efforts to counter the growing security challenges posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used by criminal organizations, terrorist groups and hostile foreign governments.

The bureau has established a new National Counter-UAS Training Center at its Redstone Arsenal facility in Huntsville, Alabama, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in June. The center will train law enforcement personnel to detect, identify, track and mitigate illegal drone operations.

“Unmanned aircrafts are increasingly exploited by criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors — making the counter UAS program a critical area for the FBI to modernize and adapt to stay ahead of the threat,” Patel wrote on social media platform X.

The FBI director emphasized that the bureau has devoted substantial resources this year to upgrading its counter-drone capabilities, highlighting the technology’s evolving role in national security concerns. The training center’s operations will comply with the National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress earlier this year, which provided expanded authorities for counter-drone activities.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reinforced the urgency of the initiative, stating that “the drone threat isn’t in the future, it’s in the now.” Bongino added that the administration is taking proactive steps to adapt to what he described as a “new threat ecosystem.”

The training facility will have immediate practical applications, as Patel noted it will help prepare security operations for major upcoming international events hosted in the United States, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“This is an investment that will pay huge dividends for America’s national security in the years to come,” Patel said.

The announcement comes amid broader government action on drone security. Just days earlier, on Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it would ban new foreign-made drones due to national security concerns.

In that decision, the FCC specifically added drones and their critical components manufactured in China and other foreign countries to its “covered list” — a designation for equipment determined to pose an “unacceptable risk” to U.S. national security and the safety of American citizens.

The drone security initiative represents part of a comprehensive approach by the Trump administration to address emerging technological threats. Earlier this year, Patel had also announced plans to expand the FBI’s artificial intelligence capabilities to counter both domestic and global security challenges.

Industry experts note that drone technology has rapidly evolved from primarily recreational and commercial applications to increasingly sophisticated tools that can be weaponized or used for surveillance by malicious actors. Recent years have seen multiple incidents worldwide where drones have been deployed in conflicts or used to smuggle contraband across borders and into secure facilities.

The global commercial drone market, dominated by Chinese manufacturers like DJI, has exploded in recent years, creating both economic opportunities and security vulnerabilities that U.S. authorities are now working to address through regulatory measures and enhanced security protocols.

As drone technology becomes more accessible and advanced, the FBI’s new training center represents a significant step in the U.S. government’s strategy to mitigate potential threats while developing countermeasures against their illicit use by adversaries.