Official announcement from Skydio or credible news sources

China Sanctions Skydio, US Drone Supplier to Ukraine, Causing Battery Shortage

Oct 31, 2024, 09:33 AM

China has imposed sanctions on Skydio, the largest US drone manufacturer and a supplier to Ukraine's military, creating a supply chain crisis for the company. The sanctions, imposed on October 11, ban Chinese companies from providing Skydio with critical components, including batteries. As a result, Skydio is limiting customers to one battery per drone and is scrambling to find alternative suppliers outside China. The company's CEO, Adam Bry, stated that this action underscores how the Chinese government uses supply chains as a weapon to advance their interests. Skydio has sought assistance from the US government, and the issue has been escalated to high-level officials, including the Deputy Secretary of State and the White House. The sanctions are in retaliation for the US approval of the sale of drones to Taiwan and highlight the risks of reliance on Chinese supply chains for critical components.