US Government

DJI has issued a sharp response to last week’s US court ruling that keeps the company on the Pentagon’s blacklist of “Chinese military companies.” While the world’s largest drone maker is disappointed by the decision, it emphasizes that the court has actually validated its long-standing claim: DJI is not controlled by China’s government, nor is it tied to the military.

A US federal judge has just delivered a big blow to DJI, ruling that the world’s top drone maker will remain on the Pentagon’s blacklist of companies tied to China’s military.

Imagine your town’s search-and-rescue team grounded during a wildfire. Or your local police department unable to deploy drones to find a missing child. That’s not a far-off hypothetical — it’s a very real threat facing thousands of public safety agencies, farmers, and small businesses as Congress weighs the future of DJI drones in the US.

The US Commerce Department has officially opened a Section 232 national security investigation into the import of drones and their components, a move that could significantly reshape the American drone industry and limit the future of major Chinese players like DJI and Autel Robotics.

DJI and Autel Robotics — two of the biggest names in the drone industry — are once again at the center of a political firestorm. Key House Republicans are calling on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to urgently investigate whether drones made by these Chinese manufacturers pose an unacceptable national security threat to the United States.

DJI, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, has issued a public message to American drone users: the future of DJI drones in the US is in jeopardy — and it’s not because of any new law, but due to a national security review that hasn’t even started.

President Donald Trump has signed two significant executive orders — “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” — marking a major shift in US drone policy. These directives aim to enhance national security and invigorate the domestic drone industry, particularly in anticipation of major events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

DJI, the world’s leading civilian drone manufacturer, has embraced the possibility of a US executive order that could restrict Chinese drone companies, viewing it as an opportunity to validate its security protocols.

A sweeping move by the White House to restrict Chinese drone companies could ironically end up helping one of the biggest players at risk: DJI. While recent headlines have framed the forthcoming Trump executive orders as a death knell for Chinese drone makers, the reality is more complicated — and possibly more hopeful for DJI.

China has dropped the hammer on 11 US-based drone manufacturers — including Skydio, BRINC Drones, and Boeing-owned Insitu — by placing them on its “unreliable entity” list, a move that subjects these companies to sweeping trade sanctions and export restrictions.

It looks like DJI is calling the US government’s bluff. With the threat of a looming ban, the Chinese drone giant is demanding a security audit — before time runs out.

For the last year, we’ve been on the edge of the fear of losing brand new Mavic 3 Pro. Will these drone replacements make it to us?

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has updated its list of Chinese companies alleged to have connections with China’s military, officially known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The most notable new name on the list for DroneDJ readers is Autel Robotics.

In a fresh escalation of technological tensions, China’s Ministry of Commerce has denounced the United States’ decision to investigate potential security risks posed by Chinese-made drones. The ministry has labeled the US actions as “extremely irresponsible,” accusing Washington of unjustly targeting foreign drones without concrete evidence.

The United States is weighing new restrictions on commercial drones from China, citing potential national security risks. This move has provoked strong objections from Beijing, signaling escalating tensions between the two economic giants.

The US Department of Commerce is calling on Americans to weigh in on new measures aimed at securing the nation’s drone supply chain. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to address potential national security risks associated with the information and communications technology and services (ICTS) used in drones. Public comments are open until March 4, 2025.

The skies are staying open for DJI drones in the US. The world’s leading civilian drone manufacturer has avoided an immediate ban in the American market since the Countering CCP Drones Act was left out of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approved by Congress this week.

A wave of mysterious drone sightings has ignited swift federal action in New York, with Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing the deployment of a cutting-edge drone detection system to the state. This move comes after reports of unidentified aerial activity disrupted operations at Stewart International Airport and stirred public concern across the East Coast.

Geopolitical tensions are redefining global markets, with drones emerging as a focal point of strategic competition. Manufacturers in China have begun limiting the export of key drone components to the US and Europe, signaling a significant shift in global supply chains. These changes could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the drone industry at large.

The United States National Drone Association (USNDA) has thrown its support behind the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), lauding provisions aimed at weakening China’s grip on the US drone market while strengthening domestic manufacturing. Representing a coalition of national security and defense professionals, the USNDA is a non-profit organization advocating for the safe and innovative use of drones in national security, public safety, and other critical sectors.

The release of the final text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025 has sparked heated debate, especially concerning provisions targeting Chinese drone manufacturers, including DJI and Autel Robotics.