Metinvest Group presented 100 DJI Mavic 3 drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. A large batch of reconnaissance equipment will go to the AFU’s Ground Forces and will be sent to the eastern and southern areas of the front, especially to the hottest spots, including Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Vuhledar. The total cost of the equipment from Metinvest is more than UAH 10 million. The transfer of so many UAVs to the Army at one time is a record for Metinvest. Since 24 February 2022, the Group has delivered over 1,100 drones to various units of Ukraine’s defence forces.
The DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo is the most popular and requested drone model in the ranks of the AFU. It helps to detect and destroy the enemy on the front line. The UAV, which has the most extensive available package with an additional set of batteries, is used for reconnaissance and fire correction. The competitive advantage of this model is its excellent optics and navigation.
“We understand that drones are an essential part of the AFU’s tactics, both when defending Ukrainian territory from the invasion and when counterattacking against the aggressor. UAVs, such as the DJI Mavic 3, are the ‘eyes’ of Ukrainian soldiers and they are quality reconnaissance devices that save lives. But, unfortunately, drones are also expendable on the front lines. That is why, since the beginning of the war, Metinvest Group, as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative, has focused on providing a continuous supply of drones for the AFU. I would note that no one from the private sector supplies the Army with such a quantity of vehicles – more than 1,100 drones. Metinvest will therefore continue to provide drones to the AFU until the victory is achieved,” noted Oleg Matvienko, Head of Military Security at Metinvest Group.
Metinvest Group said it donated more than UAH 1.5 billion since the beginning of the full-scale war. In addition to drones, the Group also supplies the AFU, National Guard, Defence Intelligence and other national defence forces with equipment, including over 150,000 sets of body armour, thermal imagers, vehicles, special mobile shelters and other gear that help to resist the aggressor.
DJI Drones in Russia’s War against Ukraine
Both Russia and Ukraine are widely using DJI drones, primarily for reconnaissance purposes. This has prompted the world’s largest, Chinese drone manufacturer to reiterate its stance that DJI deplores any use of its products to cause harm.
DJI stated it only ever made products for civilian use; they are not designed for military applications.
At the same time DJI’s sales rose quickly thanks to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
DJI, which accounts for around 76% of the world’s consumer drone market as of March 2021 is now considered a “Chinese military company,” meaning its technologies are designed in a way that can support the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s objectives
The world’s first drone billionaire, Frank Wang is founder and CEO of DJI, the biggest seller of consumer drones.
Wang founded DJI in 2006 and ran it out of his dorm room at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.
DJI, which reportedly has more than $2 billion in sales, raised money at an estimated valuation of $15 billion in 2018.
DJI is best known for its Phantom Drones, which retail for around $1,000. Forbes estimates that Wang owns about 40% of the company.
DJI made a list of “Chinese military companies operating in the United States” published by the U.S. Department of Defense in October 2022.
The Washington Post and the IPVM video surveillance research group have extensively analyzed DJI records, Chinese media coverage and other sources. They have found that, while the DJI tries to conceal its ties to the Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army, the drone maker receives substantial state funding and support.
In March 2022, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines government official accusing DJI in supporting russia’s aggression in Ukraine. “In 21 days of the war, russian troops has already killed 100 Ukrainian children. they are using DJI products in order to navigate their missile.
@DJIGlobal are you sure you want to be a partner in these murders? Block your products that are helping russia to kill the Ukrainians!”, he twitted.
In July 2021, the Pentagon issued a special statement reaffirming its view that DJI systems are “potential threats to national security.” In December of that year, the Treasury Department banned U.S. investment in DJI.
As a result, these drones provide potential platforms for Chinese espionage. Their high-resolution optical and thermal cameras, advanced sensor packages, access to wireless networks, small size, and high maneuverability make them sophisticated systems for spying. Through their frequent overflights of national security and high-tech targets, Chinese UAS can map U.S. critical infrastructure, identify network vulnerabilities for potential exploitation, steal Americans’ intellectual property, and conduct other espionage or cyberattacks, Richard Weitz, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute wrote.
In November 2022, DJI said it achieved Encryption Recognition from U.S Department of Commerce
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