Germany’s military will phase out the use of Chinese-made drones, citing concerns over security, data protection and technological sovereignty, as Western nations increasingly scrutinise Chinese technology deployed in sensitive defence environments.

A spokesperson for Germany’s Defence Ministry said Chinese-manufactured drones had previously been authorised for training activities and target practice because they offered a cost-effective solution. Those systems will now be replaced by European alternatives.

The ministry said the move is intended to bolster the Bundeswehr’s self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on foreign technology in critical areas. According to the spokesperson, “To strengthen the Bundeswehr's self-sufficiency and technological sovereignty, Chinese-made models will no longer be used.”

Officials stressed that the decision does not amount to a blanket ban on equipment originating from a particular country. Instead, procurement decisions are based on individual risk assessments designed to protect military security, IT infrastructure and sensitive data.

The policy marks a shift from Germany’s 2024 procurement approach, which had allowed local commanders to acquire drones from a pre-approved “white list” of systems. That list reportedly included several products manufactured by DJI, the Chinese company that dominates the global civilian drone market.

The decision reflects broader concerns among Western governments and armed forces that connected technologies, including drones equipped with cameras, sensors and communications systems, could potentially expose sensitive information or create security vulnerabilities.

DJI has consistently rejected allegations that its products present security risks. In May, the company told US lawmakers that an independent review had found “no evidence of data transmission outside the United States”.

Chinese authorities had not publicly responded to the German decision at the time of reporting. The Chinese embassy in Berlin, along with China’s commerce and foreign ministries, did not immediately provide comment.

Germany’s move follows similar actions by other Western nations. Last month, the United States prohibited Chinese-made BYD vehicles from operating at its air base on Okinawa in Japan. Earlier this year, Poland barred Chinese-made vehicles from military facilities over concerns that onboard sensors could potentially gather sensitive information.

The German Defence Ministry also noted that while there is no general prohibition on vehicles from specific countries or manufacturers, modern vehicles increasingly contain advanced sensors and connected technologies that may pose security risks. As a result, access to sensitive military sites can be restricted where such concerns are identified.

The latest decision underscores a growing trend across NATO countries and other Western partners to reduce dependence on Chinese technology in defence-related applications, particularly where data security, operational resilience and control over critical military systems are concerned.

Agencies