The US Air Force has announced a tender to purchase Chinese DJI unmanned aerial vehicles for the intercontinental ballistic missile base in Wyoming. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine citing tender documentation and Defence Blog. On August 14, 2026, the 90th Contracting Squadron published a combined solicitation to find a supplier for F.E. Warren Air Force Base, where the 90th Missile Security Squadron is stationed.
Technical Necessity: Why DJI?
The tender documentation frames the purchase as a requirement for a specific brand — DJI — rather than an open competition among manufacturers. The document, signed by contracting officer Chad Evans on July 29, states that DJI controls approximately 80–85% of the global commercial drone market. The proprietary protocols, radio frequency signatures, and flight characteristics of these devices are not replicated by American manufacturers or other companies. Without these specific devices, the base's "fail-safe nuclear security mission" would be at risk, as training only on simulations or American drones would leave operators unprepared for real DJI signals.
Specifications and Contract Terms
The procurement includes two DJI Mavic 2 Pro quadcopters (listed as refurbished) with Fly More kits, two DJI Mini 3 Pro units with remote controllers, two DJI Avata 2 Fly More kits, as well as six air-drop payload devices. The contract is planned to be awarded at a fixed price to the participant offering the lowest cost, provided they meet the technical requirements. Bids are accepted until August 24, and questions regarding the tender until August 19.
Cybersecurity and RIZER Software
To minimize cyber risks, all purchased DJI devices are promised to be equipped with RIZER software before operation. According to the document, this software overwrites the drones' stock firmware and creates a system completely isolated from the network, incapable of transmitting telemetry or video to third parties or Department of Defense networks. The legal basis for purchasing without a full competition is cited as the US Secretary of War's memorandum "Unleashing US Military Drone Dominance," which allows officers of the rank of colonel and above to purchase small batches of foreign drone equipment for electronic warfare and counter-UAV development needs.
Contradictory Data
On one hand, the documentation emphasizes that DJI controls 80–85% of the global market, making them indispensable for training. On the other hand, the document mentions that American manufacturers cannot replicate DJI's proprietary protocols, creating a dependency on Chinese technology. This contradiction between the need to prepare for real threats and the risks of using foreign equipment remains an open question for security experts.
Context of Global Drone Threat
The issue of countering cheap civilian drones remains central for armies fighting against mass drone attacks. The scale of the threat from enemy unmanned aircraft continues to grow: according to the GUR (Main Directorate of Intelligence), Russia plans to produce 11,000 strike drones in August 2026 alone, including new modifications of "Geran-4" and "Geran-5," complicating the tasks of air defense and anti-drone systems.
