Chinese-made drones used by troops pose severe information security risks, IDF officals warn

Israeli military officials have issued a stark warning regarding the extensive use of Chinese-made drones by frontline combat units, citing severe information security risks. The concern is that these drones could inadvertently expose troop locations and other sensitive operational data to hostile monitoring.

During the initial phase of the war nearly three years ago, the IDF received substantial donations for weapons and equipment, including various types of drones. While some of these are advanced and intended for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and attack missions, their widespread and sometimes unregulated use has raised alarms.

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In Sayeret Matkal, there is particular care not to use any piece of Chinese-made technology that can collect information and transmit it back or create a clear signature that can be detected remotely.

Security officials revealed that while the IDF has tightened its information security policy by banning Chinese-made vehicles from its bases, similar to a policy adopted by the Shin Bet, the military continues to permit the use of Chinese drone technology at the operational edge. This creates a contradiction, where physical access is restricted, but the use of potentially compromised technology in the field is allowed.

One official highlighted that certain drones are equipped with applications capable of identifying similar drones in the operational area, further increasing the risk of detection and tracking. The preference for Chinese-made drones stems largely from their significantly lower cost compared to Israeli, American, or European alternatives. However, officials stress the urgent need for the IDF to regulate not only the quality and types of drones but also the frequencies on which they operate, noting a current state of "chaos" and a lack of adherence to allocated frequencies.

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The IDF is far from having this issue in order, and there is a lot of chaos. Frequencies were allocated to the Ground Forces, and they do not really adhere to them. It is a sensitive issue.