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The U.S. Department of State (“State”)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases/bureau-of-political-military-affairs/2025/09/u-s-policy-update-on-the-export-of-unmanned-aerial-systems/?source=email">announced</a>&nbsp;an update to its military drone export review policy on September 15, 2025, pursuant to which advanced unmanned aerial systems (“UAS”) will be subject to an export control policy similar to that of crewed aircraft, rather than more restrictive review applicable to missiles. Key takeaways include:

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1.&nbsp;Policy Shift: Drones Reviewed Like Fighter Jets, Not Missiles

State announced that pursuant to the policy change, it will consider requests to export UAS similarly to how it reviews requests to export crewed fighter aircraft, rather than as missile systems. This marks a departure from the longstanding application of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mtcr.info/en">Missile Technology Control Regime (“MTCR”)</a>&nbsp;to exports of certain UAS, which imposed a strong presumption against the transfer of large, weaponizable drones due to their range and payload capabilities and provided for rigorous review of other UAS transfers.

To read the full post, visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://governmentcontractsnavigator.com/2025/09/24/u-s-department-of-state-eases-military-drone-export-review-policy/">Government Contracts Navigator</a>&nbsp;blog.

U.S. Department of State Eases Military Drone Export Review Policy

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U.S. Department of State Eases Military Drone Export Review Policy

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