Chinese drone maker DJI gets another shot at Pentagon blacklist removal

Latest ruling gives Shenzhen-based company hope after years-long legal battle with the US Department of Defence

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DJI products like the Mavic 2 Pro have proven popular in the US. The Shenzhen-based company is challenging its inclusion on a Pentagon blacklist of firms allegedly linked to the Chinese military. Photo: Getty Images

The latest ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit did not remove DJI from the list, but sent the case back to the lower court to reconsider one part of the Defence Department’s justification for designating the company.

The Defence Department declined to comment on ongoing litigation. DJI did not immediately respond to a request for comment as of Friday afternoon. The company has repeatedly said it has no ties to the Chinese military.

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DJI was first placed on the Pentagon’s Chinese military company list in 2022. The company petitioned the Defence Department for delisting and later sued over its designation.