In an unusual move, the IDF has begun collecting Chinese-made vehicles from officers, under direct orders from the chief of staff. The decision follows an assessment by Israel's security agencies that certain Chinese cars pose a real risk of sensitive information leaks or even espionage through their onboard systems.
The step is part of a broader policy tightening restrictions on Chinese vehicles, after they were already banned from entering IDF military bases.
The process is being carried out gradually: In the first phase, vehicles are being collected from officers in classified roles or those with access to sensitive security information. By the end of the first quarter of 2026, the measure will extend to all officers. The IDF estimates that around 700 vehicles are involved, most of them CHERY models that had been allocated to officers with large families because they seat seven passengers.
Officials explain that some Chinese vehicles include systems equipped with cameras, microphones, sensors, and connectivity technologies that transmit data to external servers, sometimes without the control of the user or even the local importer.
A former senior officer told Israel Hayom the problem goes far beyond cameras and microphones: every "smart" car is essentially a computer on wheels, with a closed operating system and wireless connections that can enable intelligence gathering near sensitive installations. Several months ago, the Chinese ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, told Israel Hayom that the allegations against his country's electric vehicles were unfounded.
According to estimates, the IDF's decision is also influenced by a global trend. The US and the UK have already banned Chinese vehicles from security-sensitive zones. A senior official familiar with the issue added that the move is also linked to Israel's relations with Washington, amid the ongoing economic confrontation between the US and China.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said it does not intend to comment on the matter.
