DJI Appeals U.S. Court Ruling on Military Company Label

DJI has filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit following a mixed ruling by the District Court for the District of Columbia, which upheld the U.S. Department of Defense’s designation of DJI as a “Chinese Military Company.” While the court allowed the designation to stand, it dismissed the majority of the DoD’s allegations, casting doubt on the strength of the government’s case.

The court found no evidence to support key claims by the DoD, including allegations that DJI is owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, affiliated with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or connected to any military-civil fusion enterprise zone. These core accusations, which formed the backbone of the DoD’s designation, were explicitly rejected.

However, the court upheld two limited assertions as not being “arbitrary and capricious.” First, it acknowledged DJI’s recognition as a National Enterprise Technology Center (NETC) — a status commonly held by leading tech companies, both in China and globally, with no direct connection to military applications. Second, it noted that DJI products have “substantial dual-use applications,” a characteristic common to many consumer technologies that can be used in both civilian and military contexts.

DJI emphasised that neither of these points demonstrates any active military affiliation or intent. “We respect the Court’s process but are disappointed that the designation remains in place despite findings that reject the core of the DoD’s allegations,” said Adam Welsh, DJI spokesperson. “The findings reaffirm what we have maintained all along — that DJI operates independently, has no government or military affiliation, and is committed to the responsible development of drone technology.”

In its appeal, DJI argues that the court’s decision to uphold the designation, despite undercutting the majority of the DoD’s case, was based on a narrow and flawed interpretation of the remaining claims.

The company also reaffirmed its longstanding position against the military use of its products. DJI was the first drone manufacturer to formally oppose the combat use of civilian drones and has implemented technical safeguards and policy measures to limit misuse. It has never manufactured military-grade drones nor marketed its equipment for use in conflict zones.

As the appeal process moves forward, DJI remains focused on defending its reputation as a civilian technology leader and safeguarding its global operations, which include widespread use of its drones in aerial photography, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, and emergency services.

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