The world’s largest commercial drone manufacturer is taking on the Defense Department in a courtroom “Clash of the Titans” over a 2022 decision to put Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co. — better known as DJI — on the Pentagon’s list of restricted companies that have links to China’s military and its Communist government.

DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer that sells more than half of all U.S. commercial drones, asked a U.S. District Judge in Washington to order its removal from the Pentagon list designating it as a "Chinese military company," saying it "is neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military."

DJI has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense over its addition to the Pentagon list that designates it as a "Chinese military company." In its filing, shared by The Verge, the company said it's challenging the designation because it's "neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military.

The lawsuit shows DJI taking a proactive stance as it confronts increasing pressure from Congress to ban its drones from operating in the U.S.

DJI sues Pentagon over Chinese military designation, claiming significant financial harm and challenging the Defense Department's decision.

The lawsuit reflects how the company is going on the offensive as it faces a congressional push to ban DJI’s drones from use in U.S. airspace.

"For years, the U.S. government has known that DJI presents unacceptable economic and national security risks but no one was willing to take the necessary steps to remove Communist Chinese spy drones from our skies," bill sponsor Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said .

DJI challenges Pentagon's "Chinese Military Company" designation in a landmark lawsuit, raising questions about government overreach.