The German military will discontinue the use of Chinese-made drones for training purposes, the government announced on Wednesday. The Bundeswehr, as the German armed forces are known, plans to replace these units with models manufactured in Germany or other European countries. This strategic shift is intended to bolster the military's self-sufficiency and technological sovereignty.
The decision, which was first reported by the German outlet Der Spiegel, comes as the Defense Ministry seeks to refine its procurement standards. While the ministry confirmed the transition, it did not provide a specific figure regarding how many Chinese-made drones are currently in use within the Bundeswehr.
Under the updated policy, military commanders retain the authority to purchase off-the-shelf commercial drones for training and specific exercise requirements. However, the ministry emphasized that the use of such equipment is subject to strict conditions. These drones may only be deployed following a formal risk assessment and in operational circumstances where no “security-relevant information” is at risk.
