Bundeswehr bans Chinese drones, Spiegel reports

The Bundeswehr has been ordered to immediately stop using Chinese drones, including DJI models, LIGA.net reported, citing Spiegel. Military officials fear the aircraft could transmit photographs of barracks and training grounds, along with information about exercises and German weapons, to Beijing.

Germany's defence ministry confirmed the ban and said all Chinese drones would be replaced with German or European alternatives, according to the report. LIGA.net did not specify the date of the order or a deadline for completing the replacement.

In 2024, the Bundeswehr allowed local commanders to buy Chinese drones for training without complex approval procedures. The report said there was no central record of those purchases. Spiegel's sources estimated that the military may have bought several thousand drones; the ministry did not disclose an exact figure.

Some BYD, Geely and NIO car models have also been barred from military sites, with owners required to park outside barracks. The restrictions reflect concerns that cameras, sensors and other electronics could collect information about military facilities. LIGA.net said there was no evidence that such vehicle data had been passed to Chinese intelligence.