North Dakota House approves removing Chinese drones from state fleet

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-Prairie Public) – The North Dakota House has approved a measure to replace Chinese-made drones in the state fleet.

The state owns 353 drones, 307 from China.

The sponsor, Bismarck Representative Mike Nathe, says he was told by some federal officials that the Chinese drones were equipped with data gathering and transmitting devices.

Nate says the cost to replace the Chinese drones will be about $15 million.

The measure also contains $11 million for access to Federal Aviation Administration radar data.