The German Federal Armed Forces has recently updated its defense restrictions: Chinese commercial drones are now prohibited from flying over military bases or training grounds. Any already-purchased units must be promptly decommissioned and replaced with European or domestically produced models.
The report was published by the prominent German news magazine Der Spiegel.
The restriction primarily targets consumer-grade, small commercial drones widely available on the market, such as those manufactured by DJI.
According to German military officials, the core concern centers on data security.
Drones equipped with cameras can capture images of barracks layouts, exercise schedules, and weapon systems. Authorities fear that such visual and location data could be transmitted overseas.
In a related move, the German military has also restricted access for Chinese electric vehicles in sensitive military zones, citing concerns over the extensive array of sensors and cameras embedded in these vehicles, which may pose risks of information gathering.
The new policy marks a reversal of recent stance. Just in 2024, the German armed forces had issued a list of approved drones for procurement—including DJI models.
Prior to this, lower-ranking officers could acquire such small drones through simplified procedures without complex approvals. Many units had used them for reconnaissance and training support.
Now, a single directive has effectively closed that avenue.
A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed the policy but provided no concrete evidence of data breaches. The statement cited only potential risks, declining to disclose how many Chinese-made drones have been procured.
This is not an isolated case. In recent years, military institutions across several NATO member states have reassessed supply chains for consumer drones, favoring domestic defense products.
However, this approach—preemptively assuming risk and banning equipment outright—has drawn criticism. Commercial drone manufacturers have repeatedly emphasized that their devices support local data management and offline operation modes, and do not feature mandatory data upload mechanisms.
European online commentators have mocked the situation: first banning effective tools, then spending significantly more on inferior domestic alternatives.
(Source: Der Spiegel, Germany, November 10, 2026; Deutschlandfunk radio; RIA Novosti/TASS republished)
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881520483388556/
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