Chinese drone giant DJI has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. federal court to overturn its designation as a “Chinese military company” a label imposed by the U.S. Department of Defense that the company says is baseless and financially damaging.
In its court filing, DJI argues that the classification lacks factual support and violates its rights under U.S. law. The firm is seeking immediate removal from the Pentagon’s blacklist, claiming that the label has severely restricted its ability to attract investment and conduct business in one of its most important global markets.
A Fight to Protect Global Market Share
The Shenzhen-based company, which dominates over 70% of the global drone industry, has come under increasing scrutiny from U.S. officials over alleged ties to China’s military. The Department of Defense included DJI on a list of companies it claims support or benefit from China’s military modernization.
While DJI has long denied any military affiliation, the label has triggered investment bans, compliance complications for global partners, and significant reputational damage, especially in Western markets.
According to analysts, DJI could lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually in U.S. revenue alone if the designation is upheld.
DJI Pushes Back: “We Build for Civilians”
In its statement, DJI maintained that its drones are built strictly for civilian and commercial use, powering industries like filmmaking, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response. The company also pointed out that its products are used by law enforcement and disaster response teams around the world including in the U.S.
DJI claims that the U.S. military label has already caused partners to withdraw from deals, limited access to American capital, and created uncertainty in international markets.
Legal and Political Stakes
This legal action marks one of the most aggressive responses yet by a Chinese tech company against U.S. military or national security restrictions. While other firms have opted for quiet diplomacy or exits from the U.S. market, DJI’s lawsuit could become a landmark case in the escalating battle between global tech firms and national security regulators.
If the court rules in DJI’s favor, it may force the U.S. government to provide more concrete evidence before blacklisting companies and could embolden other firms to challenge similar sanctions.
Final Thought
As drones become central to everything from logistics to surveillance, the courtroom not just the skies is now a key battleground for tech supremacy, national policy, and global commerce.
DJI isn’t just defending its name it’s fighting to stay in the global economy’s most powerful markets.
source: aa.com.tr
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