Germany's military bans Chinese drones and restricts cars over espionage fears
Germany's armed forces are withdrawing Chinese-made commercial drones from military use and restricting Chinese vehicles from entering sensitive military facilities over concerns that their cameras, sensors and software could expose confidential information.
The Bundeswehr has ordered units to stop using previously purchased drones made by Chinese manufacturers, including DJI, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported. The Defense Ministry confirmed the decision.
"No Chinese models will be used in the future, and existing systems will be replaced with German or European products," a ministry spokesperson told the magazine.
The military fears the drones could potentially transmit information about training exercises, military bases and German weapons systems to Chinese intelligence services.
Drones previously approved for training
Since 2024, Bundeswehr commanders had been allowed to purchase commercially available drones for training with relatively little bureaucracy.
Several DJI models were included on an approved procurement list, and insiders estimate that German military units purchased several thousand Chinese-made drones, according to Der Spiegel.
The devices were used for introductory drone-pilot training and as targets for counter-drone systems. They were not authorized for reconnaissance or tactical operations during exercises.
The decision reverses a policy that had already been disputed within the military.
In 2023, a senior Bundeswehr commander prohibited Chinese drones over concerns about possible data transfers to Beijing. A year later, the military approved several models for training as it sought to expand its drone capabilities.
It remains unclear whether sensitive information has actually been compromised.
Welt reported that an insider claimed Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) had found forensic traces suggesting data was being transmitted from Bundeswehr drones. The Defense Ministry did not provide a specific response to questions about that claim.
Chinese cars face restrictions at military bases
The Bundeswehr has also introduced broad restrictions on Chinese-made vehicles entering barracks and other military properties.
According to the reports, military units have received lists of vehicles, including models made by BYD, Geely and NIO, that are barred from entering designated security areas.
Service members who own affected vehicles must park outside and continue on foot.
German authorities are concerned that built-in cameras, sensors and connected systems could record sensitive information at military installations.
Similar concerns have prompted restrictions elsewhere in Europe.
Poland introduced limits on Chinese vehicles entering military facilities earlier this year and prohibited service members from connecting official phones to their multimedia systems.
In Norway, military officials found that Chinese-made rental vehicles had recorded security checks at the entrance to a military camp during a September exercise, according to Welt.
The issue is also attracting attention at the European Union level. Fourteen members of the European Parliament have asked the European Commission to assess cybersecurity risks associated with BYD vehicles and consider whether additional restrictions are necessary.
BYD has rejected concerns about remote access to its vehicles' data, saying information processed or stored in its cars or cloud systems cannot be accessed remotely from China.
German authorities have not publicly established that Chinese intelligence services obtained information through the drones or vehicles covered by the restrictions.
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