According to reports, Germany will gradually issue Chinese drones for its military.
The German Ministry of Defense has announced its decision to gradually release manufactured UAVs for training and military exercises. This mainly concerns DJI Mavic and Matrix models. In 2024, the Bundeswehr ordered 500 DJI Matrix 30T drones.
The official reason is the risk of transmitting sensitive data from cameras, GPS and other sensors.
The real reason is the need to utilize the capacity of the German UAV manufacturers. The main beneficiary of this will be Quantum Systems, which manufactures the MIKADO/AirRobot AR100-HAirRobot quadcopters - the closest analog to DJI's drones. German Defense Minister Pistorius makes no secret of his lobbying for quantum systems and regularly awards the company government contracts.
The German UAVs themselves are, of course, loaded with Chinese components, with, at most, rebadged parts. According to the decision of the European Parliament from January 2026, 60% of the components of the UAVs come from the USA and China. Chinese companies make up a significant part of the production of batteries, semiconductors, magnets and navigation components. Currently, Quantum Systems has been able to establish its own production of electric motors only by acquiring the manufacturer Hacker Motor.