11 October 2021

DJI—the biggest drone maker in the world—has been put on a U.S. Defense Department blacklist of firms with alleged ties to the Chinese military.

The move is reportedly part of a broader strategy by U.S. President Joe Biden's administration to identify and isolate Chinese corporations that appear to be agents of the Chinese army. The list of blacklisted firms currently includes more than 60 Chinese companies.

"The Department is determined to highlight and counter the People's Republic of China's Military-Civil Fusion strategy, which supports the modernization goals of the People's Liberation Army by ensuring its access to advanced technologies and expertise are acquired and developed by PRC companies, universities, and research programs that appear to be civilian entities," stated the Pentagon in a press release.

"DJI had already been added by the U.S. Treasury to the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies list in December 2021," commented analyst Charles Rollet of IPVM, a surveillance research group in Pennsylvania. "That barred U.S. investment into the firm. The DoD listing confirms the U.S. government firmly considers DJI to be a contributor to the People's Republic of China military."

DJI Responds

"There is no reason why DJI has been added to the Defense Department's list of 'Chinese military companies,'" countered DJI spokesperson Adam Lisberg. "DJI does not fall under any categories set by the law to be included on the list. DJI is not a military company in China, the United States, or anywhere else. DJI has never designed or manufactured military-grade equipment, and has never marketed or sold its products for military use in any country. Instead, we have always developed products to benefit society and save lives. We stand ready to formally challenge our inclusion on the list."

What's Next?

DJI holds a massive percentage of market share in the consumer-drone field, but it also produces industrial drones designed for infrastructure inspections, public safety, and other uses. The Droning Company will update this story as more news is available.