German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius inspects drones during a visit of the Homeland Security Division and the Guard Battalion in Berlin, Germany, 15 July 2026. The focus of the visit will be on discussions with the commanders and soldiers of the Homeland Security Division and the Guard Battalion and for the minister to gain an understanding of the equipment and training levels of the two Berlin units. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKEThe Defence Ministry was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours.
Western military forces have grown increasingly concerned that Chinese-made technology could pose a security risk and may be used to transmit sensitive security information to Beijing.
Der Spiegel reported that the drones, acquired by military units in recent years with limited bureaucratic oversight, are being withdrawn from service as quickly as possible.
Local commanders had been allowed to purchase them under a 2024 strategy that included a "white list" of approved systems, including several made by China-based DJI, the world's largest drone maker, it reported.
As there is no central record of purchases by individual units, the military has to impose a blanket ban, Der Spiegel added.
The US last month prohibited vehicles made by China's BYD on its air base on Japan's Okinawa island, and Poland in February banned Chinese-made vehicles from military facilities over concerns their sensors could be used to collect sensitive data.
(Writing by Miranda MurrayEditing by Gareth Jones)
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