German military bans Chinese-made drones
The German military has banned the use of Chinese drones for training purposes and is replacing them with European models, the defense ministry said on Wednesday.
Citing the need for data and IT security, the ministry said that “Chinese-made models will no longer be used … and existing systems will be replaced by products from domestic or, where applicable, European sources.”
News magazine Der Spiegel had first reported on the decision, based on worries the drones could transmit data on military exercises, training grounds, or weapons systems to Chinese intelligence services.
Referring to its armed forces, the Bundeswehr, the ministry said in a statement: “To strengthen the Bundeswehr’s self-sufficiency and technological sovereignty, Chinese-made models will no longer be used for target or training purposes.”
The development comes with growing concern in Europe about the use of Chinese-made technologies in sensitive sectors, as authorities warn of “hybrid threats” from both Russia and China.
According to Der Spiegel, the Bundeswehr has also restricted vehicles from Chinese companies such as BYD, Geely, and Nio from entering barracks and other facilities due to serious security concerns.
Soldiers who own Chinese models must now park them outside the barracks and enter on foot, the magazine reported.
Vehicle restrictions
The ministry confirmed that certain types of vehicles are barred from entering high-security military areas, without specifying whether Chinese models were included on the list.
“All sensors in a vehicle that are suitable for surveillance” can pose a threat to military security, it added, highlighting cameras, radar, microphones, and data transmission systems.
The German military, having observed the critical role played by drones on the battlefield in Ukraine, is investing heavily in the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from German manufacturers such as Rheinmetall and Helsing.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in 2025 that Berlin was planning to invest 10 billion euros ($11.1 billion) in the technology in the coming years.
However, drones have also become a critical threat to European security in recent years, with UAVs being observed flying over sensitive sites such as airports, military bases, and industrial plants in several countries.
