DJI is not a Chinese Military Company the drone maker says in statement

Drone maker DJI has always opposed the use of civilian drones for combat purposes, and in a statement, the company reiterates that it is not a Chinese Military Company.

Only a month ago, the US Department of Defense placed drone manufacturer DJI on its official blacklist due to its strong links to the Chinese government. DJI has been called a “Chinese Military Company,” which it has always fiercely disputed.

To emphasize the point, DJI issued yet another statement denying that it is a Chinese military company and emphasizing how it cannot control the drones it manufactures after they are sold.

DJI is not a Chinese Military Company

Here’s DJI’s official statement:

DJI Has Always Opposed Combat Use Of Civilian Drones And Is Not A “Chinese Military Company”

DJI was founded 16 years ago to develop 无人机技术 that can make the world better. We have never designed or manufactured military-grade equipment; we have never marketed or sold our products for combat use in any country; and we take active steps to try to keep our drones from being modified for use as weapons. We have followed these principles for our entire existence, and we are emphasizing them again in light of recent developments.

On October 5, 2022, the 美国 国防部 released an update to a list titled “Entities Identified as Chinese Military Companies Operating in the United States in Accordance with Section 1260H of the William M. (“Mac”) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283).” This document includes the names of 59 companies of Chinese origin, one of which is DJI. DJI is not a military company in 中国, the United States, or anywhere else. We stand ready to formally challenge our inclusion on this list.

We are also aware of various reports of our drones being modified with attachments that can carry weapons on them. We need to point out: we cannot influence how our drones are being used once they leave our control. More importantly: we have never enabled these uses or knowingly allowed modifications to weaponize our products. We take regulatory compliance very seriously, and have emphasized to our distribution network that they must block any sale or maintenance to customers that may try to use our drones to cause harm.

As part of DJI’s founding principles, we have never pursued any research or development into technology that could cause harm. Unlike other 无人机公司, we have never adapted our products or pursued business opportunities for combat operations. DJI has gone above and beyond to make our point clear about combat drone use: We stand alone as the only drone company to clearly denounce and actively discourage use of our products in combat, including suspending all business operations in 俄罗斯 和 乌克兰 to try to keep our drones out of the conflict.

Across the world, DJI does not market or sell our products for combat operations. We do not provide after-sales services for products identified as being used for combat purposes. We have unequivocally opposed attempts to attach weapons to our products and have refused to customize or enable modifications that would enable our products for active combat use. Our distributors, resellers, and other business partners certify they will not sell DJI products to customers who clearly plan to use them for combat purposes or help modify our products to be used for combat operations. They understand we will terminate our business relationship if they cannot adhere to this commitment.

It is important for DJI to be uniquely clear about how we believe drone technology should not be used because we have always been clear about how it should be used.

DJI is committed to promoting sustainable progress in humanity to build a better world. We are proud that DJI drones have saved lives and improved our world in fields as diverse as public safety, environmental protection, agriculture, and clean energy production. We have never approved or enabled any use of our products to cause harm. This is the ethical standard we always have and always will stand by.

Let us know what you think about DJI’s statement that it is not a Chinese Military Company. Do you believe them? We are curious to hear your thoughts in the comments below.