The global leader in drone manufacturing DJI is immediately suspending sales of its drones in Russia and Ukraine, as both countries increasingly rely on drones in the two-month-long war. DJI is also cutting off support in both countries. This could imply that Aeroscopes will no longer be functional in Russia and Ukraine.
DJI says it is worried about its products being used for combat purposes, outside their original design, hence it will no longer provide after-sales support. This is a major move by the Chinese Drone maker which is bound to affect both sides in the ongoing conflict.
Back in February at the start of the war, Ukraine had accused DJI of providing AeroScope resources in assistance to the Russian war effort. Both Russia and Ukraine have deployed DJI drones mainly for reconnaissance. However, there are stories that some of the drones are being weaponized by Ukraine.
In the aftermath of the war, many western companies suspended doing business with Russia but DJI had insisted on its continuing operations back in March. It is unclear what prompted the swift decision by DJI. Beijing and Moscow have had a strong relationship, but the Chinese government has been cautious during the war so far. The company says it has tried consistently to stay out of geopolitics and the current crisis is one of such.
The neutral stance of DJI in the current crisis will not prevent newer DJI drones from surfacing in the two countries. DJI is not directly into sales in both countries it will stop shipments to the two nations. It also means that new AeroScope licenses will not be issued and there will be no license renewals.
It is unclear which of the countries will feel the impact of the DJI move more heavily. While Moscow continues to grapple with a stringent sanctions regime, Kyiv has become a bride of sorts, enjoying massive military assistance from Germany, the US, and the UK. Some of the drone assets delivered to Ukraine are of the highest quality and they are being deployed immediately.
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