Israel’s Defense Ministry has suspended a tender for Chinese-manufactured vehicles following heightened concerns about Beijing’s advanced data collection capabilities, marking a significant shift in military procurement strategy as per ynetnews.

Previously, lieutenant colonels in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were issued electric ATTO BYD 3 vehicles. However, cybersecurity and information security experts raised alarms about the risks posed by these cars, leading to their discontinuation earlier this year. Notably, these vehicles were prohibited from entering high-security IDF bases, and their e-Call emergency systems—designed to automatically connect to emergency services in the event of an accident—were disabled to prevent external communication.

Experts warn that Chinese vehicles, equipped with sophisticated sensor systems, function as potential intelligence-gathering tools. These systems can capture extensive visual, audio, and even biometric data about occupants and their surroundings, transmitting it directly to servers in China. Such capabilities provide valuable intelligence on personnel, infrastructure, and vehicle movements in sensitive areas.

This is not the first instance of the IDF employing Chinese vehicles. Electric MGZS models are currently used to secure the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, while approximately 600 Chery Tiggo 8 crossover vehicles have been distributed to officers with large families. Beyond vehicles, other Chinese-manufactured devices, including cranes, CCTV cameras, and even heating cups, have been flagged for their data-transmission capabilities, raising broader concerns about the use of Chinese technology.

The decision to halt the tender reflects growing awareness of the cybersecurity risks associated with Chinese-made equipment, prompting Israel to reassess its reliance on such technology in sensitive military contexts.