(Adnkronos) – The German army will no longer use any Chinese drone models for security reasons. The Ministry of Defense announced this today, citing the need to ensure data protection and cybersecurity. “No Chinese models will be used anymore” and drones will be replaced “with national and, if necessary, European products,” a ministry spokesperson emphasized in an email communication sent to AFP. According to the same source, until now it was possible to use Chinese-made drones, which are particularly inexpensive, for activities that did not present “any sensitive security aspects,” such as training missions.
The website of the German weekly Der Spiegel had reported on the ban on using Chinese drones, motivated by fears that these devices could transmit information related to military exercises, training facilities, or weapon systems to Chinese intelligence services. Germany has launched a vast rearmament program to strengthen its defensive capabilities after decades of insufficient investment. Russia is considered by Berlin to be the main threat, but China also represents a rival country, regularly suspected of conducting espionage operations. “To strengthen the self-sufficiency and technological sovereignty of the Bundeswehr, Chinese-made models will no longer be used for targeting or training purposes in the future,” the ministry spokesperson explained.
When questioned following the publication of the Der Spiegel article on restrictions also concerning the use of Chinese-made vehicles, the ministry clarified that certain limitations are already in force in some military installations, emphasizing, however, that there is no general ban. “From a military security perspective, all sensors installed on board a vehicle, regardless of the manufacturer, that could enable surveillance or information gathering activities are considered a potential threat,” the spokesperson explained, citing cameras, radar, microphones, data transmission systems, and ultrasonic sensors present in modern vehicles. “A more comprehensive internal regulation regarding computer systems installed on board vehicles within Bundeswehr infrastructure is currently being developed,” she added.
