Germany To Replace Chinese-Made Drones In Military Training With European Models

Germany's military will stop using Chinese-made drones, including for training and target practice, and replace existing equipment with German or other European models amid growing concerns over data security and potential espionage.

The German Defence Ministry confirmed the decision on Wednesday, saying the Bundeswehr, the country's armed forces, would no longer use Chinese-manufactured drones. The move is intended to strengthen Germany's military self-sufficiency and technological sovereignty.

The decision follows reports by German magazine Der Spiegel that the military had ordered commercially purchased Chinese drones to be withdrawn from barracks and training grounds with immediate effect. These included models from DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer.

Under a 2024 procurement strategy, local military commanders had been permitted to purchase commercially available drones, including Chinese models, for training and exercises. However, concerns emerged that their cameras and data-transmission systems could potentially expose sensitive information about military facilities, exercises and weapons systems.

According to reports, several thousand Chinese-made drones may have been acquired by different military units, although the Defence Ministry has not disclosed the actual number. The absence of a centralised procurement record has also complicated efforts to track the equipment.

The ministry said commercially available drones could still be purchased for training and certain exercises, provided they undergo risk assessments and do not expose security-sensitive information. It also clarified that there is no blanket ban on technology from particular countries, with decisions based on individual security assessments.

The restrictions come amid wider Western concerns about Chinese-made connected devices. Germany has also reportedly restricted certain Chinese-made vehicles from sensitive military facilities over fears that their cameras and sensors could collect sensitive information. Similar concerns emerged after Norwegian forces reportedly discovered Chinese rental cars recording security-related activity during a military exercise.