DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Cirrus Aircraft, one of Duluth’s best-known companies, is named in a new U.S. Department of Defense document that lists Chinese military companies operating in the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of War, the listing appears under Aviation Industry Corporation of China Ltd., or AVIC, a Chinese state-owned aviation conglomerate.
The Pentagon says AVIC is tied to China’s defense industry.
Cirrus itself is not given a separate explanation in the document. It appears on the list because of its connection to AVIC.
The list comes from a federal law that requires the Pentagon to identify Chinese military companies with operations in the U.S.
The document does not state that Cirrus aircraft are banned from being sold or operated in the United States. But questions arise whether the designation could affect government contracts, business deals, investments, or future reviews involving the company.
Cirrus has a major presence in Duluth and remains one of the city’s most recognizable employers. The company is known for making small personal aircraft and the Vision Jet.
Northern News Now is working to learn more information about the impacts that the inclusion on the list will have on Cirrus Aircraft.
Click here to download the Northern News Now app or our Northern News Now First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2026 Northern News Now. All rights reserved.
