Judge Upholds DoD Listing of DJI as Chinese Military-Linked Company

[AIcash]

A U.S. District Court judge rejected drone maker DJI’s bid to remove itself from the Department of Defense list of Chinese military companies. Judge Paul Friedman cited evidence that DJI contributes to the Chinese defense industrial base, including drone usage in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

DJI argued it makes only consumer and commercial drones, not military models, and has suffered financial and reputational harm due to the listing. Despite some challenges to the DoD’s rationale being dismissed, the court upheld DJI’s inclusion on the list, reinforcing ongoing scrutiny of Chinese tech companies in U.S. defense contexts.

[kelson10]

The court ruling keeps DJI tied to China’s military list, citing links to defense use abroad.

[jacson4]

Evidence of DJI drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict made it tough for them to fight removal.