US judge upholds Pentagon’s listing of drone maker DJI as Chinese military-linked firm

A US federal judge on Friday rejected a push by Shenzhen-based DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, to be removed from the Pentagon’s blacklist of companies allegedly linked to China’s military.

In his opinion, US District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington said the Department of Defence had substantial evidence supporting its finding that DJI, which accounts for over half of all US commercial drones, contributes to the “Chinese defence industrial base”.

In its lawsuit, DJI said the Defence Department’s “unlawful and misguided” decision cost it business deals, stigmatised it as a national security threat and barred it from contracting with multiple federal agencies.

Responding to Friday’s court decision, a representative for the company said it remained committed to the US market and is currently evaluating further legal options.

“While DJI is pleased that the court agreed with DJI and rejected most of DoD’s purported justifications for listing DJI, we are disappointed that the court nonetheless upheld the listing. This decision was based on a single rationale that applies to many companies that have never been listed,” the representative said.