Why Chinese Drone Maker DJI Is Suing the FCC

Despite their low cost, the company’s models are considered by pilots to be among the best on the market.

Jack Daleo

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

DJI in November unveiled its Agras T100, T70P, and T25P drone models for agricultural operators. [Credit: DJI]

Key Takeaways:

China's DJI is suing the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over its decision to add the drone manufacturer to a "Covered List," effectively banning the sale and import of its products in the U.S. due to alleged national security concerns.
The ban significantly impacts U.S. drone users, including hobbyists, public safety, and agriculture, who heavily rely on DJI's dominant market share and often lack comparable alternatives, while DJI argues the ban is procedurally flawed, unconstitutional, and driven by economic rather than genuine security motives.

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China’s DJI—the global titan of the consumer drone industry—is suing the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over the agency’s decision to throttle its American business.

DJI last week filed a petition for review in the U.S. Ninth Circuit court, contesting the FCC’s move to add foreign drone manufacturers to its Covered List—a federal blacklist that effectively bans the sale or import of the company’s drones and components—for national security reasons.