New York Governor Kathy Hochul has officially reached out to President Trump and congressional leaders to seek enhanced security measures against unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats, following recent drone sightings in New York City and the Hudson Valley. According to a letter released by the Governor's office, the increasing concern is attributed to the inadequacy of federal detection capabilities and the restricted authority state authorities have to combat such threats.
Hochul’s appeal comes in response to an incident last month in which Ukrainian military forces used drones to strike Russian air assets, demonstrating the potential security risks associated with drone technology. The governor called for immediate attention to "proactively improve the UAS detection and mitigation posture" in New York. "In early June, the Ukrainian military launched a successful surprise attack against Russian strategic air forces using drones," Hochul explained in her letter, underlining the potential for similar dangers closer to home, as per the press release.
With the New York area set to host a series of high-profile events in the summer of 2026, including the World Cup and America's 250th birthday celebration, the need for robust security measures is becoming more pressing. Gov. Hochul has proposed a two-front approach to address this issue. First, she requests a comprehensive federal strategy to bolster drone detection and implement multilayered mitigation measures, focusing on protecting high-risk infrastructure and population centers. Second, the governor urges Congress to extend the counter-drone authorities granted to certain federal agencies and to empower states with the necessary legislation to detect and mitigate UAS threats independently.
"The time for decisive action is now," Hochul said in the same press release, describing the federal government’s current approach to detecting and addressing UAS threats as unprepared and inadequately positioned. She is calling for the extension and expansion of state authority in this area, noting that certain federal counter-drone mandates are set to expire in September.
The letter also cites the proposed Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, which seeks both to extend and enhance the capabilities of states in addressing drone-related threats.
With the proposed measures, New York and other states would have expanded tools to address drone-related security risks. The Governor’s office has stated its intent to collaborate with federal agencies and Congress to address this issue.
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