Recent Ukraine drone strikes against Russian targets expose alarming security gaps around American military installations as foreign entities continue purchasing farmland near critical defense sites.
At a Glance
- Ukraine’s recent drone assault on Russian targets has highlighted potential vulnerabilities at sensitive US military installations
- Chinese company Fufeng Group’s 2021 purchase of 300 acres near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota raised national security concerns
- Florida has implemented restrictions on foreign land purchases near military and critical infrastructure sites
- North Dakota Senators are pushing legislation to block land purchases by entities from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea near sensitive areas
- Bipartisan support is growing for strengthening the federal review process for foreign investments near critical facilities
Drone Attacks Highlight American Vulnerabilities
Ukraine’s successful drone strikes deep inside Russian territory have refocused attention on America’s own security vulnerabilities, particularly regarding foreign ownership of land near strategic military installations. The coordinated Ukrainian drone assault damaged Russian aircraft and facilities, demonstrating how relatively inexpensive technology can penetrate defenses of even major military powers. Security experts now warn that similar tactics could potentially threaten American military bases and critical infrastructure, especially where foreign entities have established proximity through land purchases.
The threat has become particularly concerning as intelligence reports indicate Chinese entities have been systematically acquiring land near sensitive U.S. military installations. These purchases create potential platforms for surveillance, signals intelligence gathering, or even launching unmanned systems against American targets. Security officials point to the Ukrainian drone offensive as a sobering reminder of how relatively simple technologies can be deployed for devastating effect when launched from nearby positions.
Chinese Land Purchases Trigger Congressional Concern
At the center of these concerns is the 2021 purchase of approximately 300 acres of North Dakota farmland by the Chinese company Fufeng Group. The property’s proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base, which houses sensitive drone technology and intelligence operations, immediately triggered bipartisan alarms in Congress. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) initially determined it lacked jurisdiction to block the purchase, highlighting a dangerous gap in national security protections.
North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer has been vocal about the threats posed by such acquisitions. “We must remain vigilant against the persistent attempts of malign actors like China to infiltrate our communities through seemingly innocuous business transactions,” Cramer stated. The Air Force later declared the Fufeng Group’s presence a significant counterintelligence threat, leading local officials to block the planned corn mill development on the property.
States Take Action as Federal Response Develops
Florida has taken a leading role in addressing these concerns at the state level. Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation prohibiting government entities from contracting with companies from countries of concern, including China, and banned Chinese nationals from purchasing property near military installations or critical infrastructure. The law represents one of the strongest state-level responses to the growing threat of foreign land acquisition near sensitive sites.
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is working on the federal level to close security gaps. “We’re advancing legislation to prevent entities affiliated with adversarial nations, including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, from purchasing U.S. agricultural land,” Hoeven explained. His efforts include supporting the FARM Act, which would add agriculture to the list of critical infrastructure sectors requiring CFIUS review for foreign investments.
Upgrading Security Against Evolving Threats
Security experts and lawmakers agree that the Ukraine-Russia conflict demonstrates how warfare is evolving toward asymmetric approaches that could threaten American interests in new ways. Drones launched from nearby properties could conduct surveillance, disrupt operations, or potentially damage expensive military assets, as demonstrated in the Ukrainian attacks against Russian airfields. The proximity of foreign-owned land to military installations creates possibilities for signals intelligence gathering that could compromise sensitive communications.
The South Dakota Soybean Association has joined calls for heightened scrutiny, noting that foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens both national security and food security. Congress is now considering multiple bills to strengthen the CFIUS process and create more comprehensive screening mechanisms for land purchases near critical infrastructure. These efforts reflect growing recognition that protecting America’s strategic assets requires vigilance against foreign acquisition of seemingly innocent agricultural properties that could serve as platforms for hostile actions.
