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Fear of Espionage

Bundeswehr Bans These Cars and Drones From Barracks

In the photo, a dark drone flies through an autumn forest. In the blurred background, two people in camouflage clothing are visible. One person is holding a remote control. German flags can be seen on their clothing. The drone is marked with the label "MAVIC 3 ENTERPRISE," among other things. The drone is centrally positioned in the foreground and is depicted much more sharply than the people and the forest in the background.
The German military restricts Chinese technology in barracks Photo: AFP via Getty Images
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November 13, 2026, 7:03 am | Read time: 2 minutes

The German military is tightening its policies on technology from China. Small drones from Chinese manufacturers are now banned from use in barracks and on training grounds. Certain cars from China are also prohibited from entering military security areas. The concern is that this technology could gather information about locations, exercises, or weapons systems and transmit it to intelligence services in Beijing.

German Military Had Explicitly Approved DJI Drones

As recently as 2024, the German military facilitated the purchase of commercial drones. Commanders could acquire devices from the Chinese manufacturer DJI for training purposes. These models were even on an official list of approved systems at the time.

Insiders estimate that the German military purchased several thousand drones nationwide in this manner. Apparently, there was no central overview of the acquired devices. Now, these drones are to be taken out of service.

More on the topic

Espionage Suspicion with Chinese Drones

The Ministry of Defense confirmed the decision. Particularly sensitive is the potential suspicion of espionage. The “Spiegel” reports, citing an insider, that the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) discovered forensic traces during investigations of German military drones that suggest possible data leakage.

Whether sensitive information actually reached Chinese entities has not yet been proven. The Ministry of Defense did not comment on the specific allegations.

Also of interest: 777 km/h! This drone is six times faster than a car

Chinese Cars Must Also Stay Outside

According to the report, the restrictions apply not only to drones. Numerous cars from Chinese manufacturers are also no longer allowed to enter military security areas. Models from BYD, Geely, and NIO are among those mentioned. Soldiers with such vehicles must park them outside the affected barracks in the future.

The reason is the numerous cameras and sensors in modern cars. The German military fears that such systems could capture entrances, security checks, or military facilities. There is also concern that the collected data could be forwarded to Chinese security agencies.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.

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