Israel
IDF recalls 700 Chinese EVs used by senior officers over security concerns
The military previously banned all Chinese cars from parking on its bases
November 4, 2025 11:23
The military previously banned all Chinese cars from parking on its bases
November 4, 2025 11:23The IDF has commenced the large-scale recall of some 700 Chinese-made electric vehicles assigned to senior officers over security concerns.
The order was signed by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir in response to national security agencies warning of the “real concern of sensitive information leakage” in connection with the cars.
The recall process begins with lieutenant colonels and is expected to extend to other officers by March 2026.
The concerns are understood to particularly relate to the seven-seater Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. IDF officials reportedly suspect that, unbeknownst to users, cameras, microphones and sensors installed in these vehicles were being used for intelligence collection, potentially exposing officers to blackmail and leading to the release of sensitive information.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro was launched in Israel in late 2022 and was offered to senior military officers with larger families. Chery was previously a state-owned manufacturer, but was transferred into private ownership earlier this year.
A former senior IDF officer told reporters: “The issue is not just cameras and microphones.
"A modern car is essentially a computer on wheels with a closed operating system and wireless connectivity. It can collect intelligence from nearby facilities.”
Such espionage has not yet been conclusively proven, with the recall announced as a precautionary measure. China has firmly denied using electric vehicles to collect confidential data for its security forces, while Chery maintains that it is not owned by the Chinese state and does not allow such data collection.
The announcement comes after the IDF banned all Chinese-made vehicles on military bases in early August, suspecting that they were being exploited for similar purposes.
At the time, Israel’s Army Radio reported that Chinese-made cars would be required to park outside of army premises, or at a significant distance from the external perimeter.
The decision mirrored advice from British defence firms for staff not to connect their mobile phones to these vehicles due to the potential for data theft, per GB News.
Israel has historically maintained a trading relationship with China despite its status as a key trading partner of Iran and Russia.
In recent years, though, these ties have been strained by geopolitical interests. China has condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, endorsing the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Chinese officials have also claimed that Israel’s actions in Gaza “could constitute war crimes”.
The Chinese embassy in Israel has rejected the allegations of espionage, insisting that all vehicles exported from China comply with Israeli law and calling reports of security concerns “groundless speculation and lies”.
"The so-called 'data collection' is nothing more than a normal and essential function of smart driving systems. In this regard, there is no fundamental difference between Chinese vehicles and those from other countries," a spokesperson added.
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.