IDF Continues Using Chinese-Made Electric Vehicles Despite UK Navy Security Breach
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue to operate Chinese-made MG ZS electric vehicles within the Kirya military complex, despite recent security concerns raised by a similar incident involving the British Royal Navy. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Chinese components embedded in security cameras on British unmanned naval vessels transmitted data to servers in China, sparking alarm within the UK defense establishment about potential espionage risks. The breach was discovered during a routine cyber inspection by the UK Ministry of Defence, which found that cameras installed on K3 Scout autonomous boats, valued at around £12 million and used by British commando and marine units, contained Chinese chips communicating independently with Chinese servers. These cameras sent heartbeat signals that could reveal the vessels' locations, raising fears of sensitive operational information leaking.
The British Ministry of Defence promptly disconnected the cameras from the internet and stated that no classified information or internal systems were compromised. The boats were supplied by Kraken Technology Group, a British company that sourced the cameras from a third party. This incident highlighted longstanding concerns about Chinese-made products being used for espionage purposes. In Israel, the military has long banned officers from using Chinese mobile phones and refrains from purchasing Chinese communication equipment. However, the IDF had leased hundreds of Chinese Chery Tiggo 8 vehicles for officers, which included cameras, microphones, and cellular communication capabilities. After discovering the risks, the IDF disabled the communication equipment, prohibited classified discussions inside these vehicles, and barred their entry into sensitive bases. Eventually, the IDF and Ministry of Defence ceased leasing Chinese vehicles, replacing them with Mitsubishi Outlanders.
Despite this background, the IDF’s security unit at the Kirya headquarters continues to use MG ZS electric vehicles purchased about five years ago for patrols inside and around the base, which houses the General Staff and Ministry of Defence. The IDF spokesperson declined to comment specifically on the use of Chinese vehicles at Kirya, stating only that the military operates according to strict security regulations and standards. Systems meeting these standards can be considered for IDF use, while those that do not must be adapted or will be rejected.
This ongoing use of Chinese vehicles at Israel’s central military complex contrasts with the cautious approach taken elsewhere in the IDF and raises questions about internal security protocols and risk assessments regarding Chinese technology within sensitive Israeli defense environments.
