The German Defence Ministry has confirmed a media report that the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, will no longer use Chinese-made drones. A ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that, in future, Chinese models would no longer be used even outside security-sensitive areas, such as for training purposes. Existing systems will be replaced with domestic and, where necessary, European products.
According to Der Spiegel, the decision is based on significant security concerns. There are fears that small drones purchased for the Bundeswehr could transmit sensitive information to Chinese intelligence services. This could include data about military exercises, images of barracks and training grounds, or even information about German weapons systems.
The ministry spokesperson explained that the Bundeswehr uses “inexpensive, commercially available drones as training equipment and practice objects”. When no security-sensitive information is involved, commanders can purchase “commercially available, off-the-shelf systems with little bureaucratic effort” for this purpose.
However, their use is subject to clear regulations designed to safeguard military security and IT security. These requirements are continuously updated. According to the spokesperson, an assessment of drones made by Chinese manufacturers has now concluded that “in future, no Chinese models will be used, including for target practice and training purposes”.
According to Der Spiegel, the Bundeswehr has also introduced extensive restrictions on Chinese car manufacturers, including BYD, Geely and NIO, entering barracks and other military properties. Here, too, the concern is that sensors and cameras installed in Chinese vehicles could record sensitive information and potentially transmit it to Chinese security authorities.
Responding to the report, the ministry spokesperson stated: “From the perspective of military security, all sensors in a vehicle that could be used for espionage pose a threat, regardless of the manufacturer.”
These include camera and radar systems, microphones, as well as autonomous and remotely controlled data transmission systems, including mobile communications components and, for example, ultrasonic sensors. For this reason, “access to security-sensitive areas may be restricted where necessary”.
The spokesperson confirmed that there are “access restrictions for certain types of vehicles in specific security areas”. However, she declined to provide details of individual measures, citing the need to safeguard military security.
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