Why did the Pentagon file a secret brief against DJI?: The Pentagon filed a classified brief on 3 April 2026 adding sealed national security arguments to the existing FCC and FAR restrictions on DJI. DJI cannot contest the classified arguments publicly; its response is due 11 May 2026.Source: event
Is DJI banned in the United States?: DJI faces a three-layer US restriction: FCC Covered List (blocks new certifications), FAR clause 52.240-1 (bars components from federal contracts), and a classified Pentagon brief filed April 2026. Existing consumer drones remain legal to own and fly.Source: background
Can I still buy a DJI drone in 2026?: Existing DJI drones remain legal to own and operate in the US. The restrictions block federal procurement and new product certifications, not consumer use of existing models.Source: background
Will DJI be banned in Europe too?: DJI holds 26 of 66 EASA-approved drone systems (39%) in Europe. A Drone Security Package expected in Q3 2026 and a proposed Remote ID threshold change could tighten European access. The US classified brief may also pressure EASA to follow suit.Source: background
What is the alternative to DJI for military and government use?: Skydio (US-made, GPS-denied capable, Army SRR winner) is the primary US alternative. In April 2026 Skydio won its first overseas USAF contract for Middle East airbases, directly displacing DJI from a role Chinese-made drones previously filled.Source: event

Background

DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations) manufactures roughly 70% of the world's commercial drones from its headquarters in Shenzhen. Its Phantom, Mavic, and Matrice lines dominate consumer, prosumer, and enterprise markets across agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and filmmaking.

Washington has progressively squeezed DJI out of the US market through three interlocking mechanisms. The FCC added DJI to its Covered List in December 2025, blocking new product certifications . FAR clause 52.240-1, active from March 2026, converted that ban into a binding procurement rule requiring federal contractors to certify their supply chains contain no ASDA-covered components . On 3 April 2026, the Pentagon filed a classified brief against DJI, the third layer: sealed national security arguments that DJI cannot publicly contest. DJI's reply is due 11 May 2026 .

Despite the US restrictions, DJI holds 26 of 66 approved drone systems on the EASA list in Europe (39%). However, a Drone Security Package targeted for Q3 2026 and a proposed Remote ID threshold drop from 250g to 100g could tighten European market access further. The classified Pentagon brief raises the prospect of allied pressure on EASA to follow the US model.

How the World Sees Them

China

DJI argues the bans are protectionism. Beijing has not retaliated directly but the restrictions are increasingly cited in bilateral trade tensions.

United States

Three-layer regulatory lockout: FCC certification block, FAR procurement ban, and a classified Pentagon brief. DJI has until 11 May to respond to the classified arguments.

Defence market

US alternatives including Skydio are capturing contracts previously available to DJI, accelerating a market bifurcation between Western-certified and Chinese-origin drone ecosystems.

European regulators

EASA still certifies 26 DJI products (39% of its list). A Q3 2026 Drone Security Package may impose stricter national security reviews, potentially mirroring the US approach.