Germany will stop using Chinese-made drones at its military bases and training grounds. The Defense Ministry confirmed the move. It fears the devices could pass secret information to foreign spy agencies.
The German army, the Bundeswehr, will swap the drones for models made in Germany or elsewhere in Europe. The ministry says the step will make the army more independent and keep sensitive data safe.
The drones have cameras that can record military bases, training activities, vehicles and weapons. There are concerns that the recorded footage could fall into the wrong hands.
According to Der Spiegel, army units were previously able to purchase drones with limited authorization. Moreover, a 2024 acquisition plan named Chinese drone manufacturers, including DJI, one of the world's largest drone producers.
Thousands of drones were purchased individually, and the lack of a central inventory made it harder to track how many were in use. This added to calls for their removal.
In general, the army was mostly using them for basic flight training and training of anti-drone defense systems.
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It is not only about drones. The Bundeswehr has also banned Chinese car brands at certain military facilities. There are reports that car brands like BYD, Geely, and NIO have been put on the restricted list. Service members who drive them may have to park outside the facility and enter on foot.
The justification is the same. Modern cars are equipped with cameras, microphones, and GPS systems that can collect data.
Other countries are doing the same. Poland banned Chinese cars from military facilities. Recently, the US military banned BYD cars at its Kadena air base in Japan. It is consistent with a global trend. Western countries are being more cautious about Chinese tech products, particularly gadgets with cameras, sensors, and internet connections.
For the military, even a minor data breach can cause damage. The move is part of Germany's effort to strengthen oversight of military equipment purchases and protect sensitive information. Now, the Bundeswehr has to replace its drones and keep track of its purchases. The decision highlights the German military's growing focus on the data risks associated with connected devices.