Opinion | The Israeli Defense Establishment Must Wean Itself Off Chinese Drones

Chinese drones serve the Israeli defense system well in an emergency, but they are not a long-term solution. Relying on them is a strategic mistake.

The Swords of Iron War revealed not only the strength of the IDF and the resilience of its soldiers on the front lines—but also the vulnerabilities of Israel’s technological rear, particularly the growing dependence on commercial Chinese drones.

During the fighting, the urgent need for available drone capabilities—for reconnaissance, scanning, navigation in enemy territory, and even offensive action—led to a situation where soldiers and officers purchased drones independently. Families sent off-the-shelf gear, and NGOs and donors from Israel and abroad supplied thousands of drones—most of them manufactured by Chinese companies such as DJI and Autel Robotics.

On the surface, these drones delivered: they were accessible, operationally proven, and significantly cheaper than alternatives. But the short-term advantages obscure long-term strategic risk security, economic, and industrial.

First, these are advanced technological tools connected to networks, GPS, and control systems and often contain closed-source code. When you consider that the manufacturers are under ownership or oversight by the Chinese government, this poses a tangible risk to information security—not only tactically, but also at the national level.

This growing dependency directly undermines Israel’s ability to develop an independent drone industry. Unlike the decades-long investment in UAVs, the state has failed to foster domestic infrastructure for drones—despite them being simpler to produce and no less critical operationally. There are no dedicated production lines, no preferred procurement policies, and no meaningful incentives for local R&D. Without government investment and strategic guidance, Israel will not develop a self-sufficient drone sector.

Finally, there’s the international impact. Strategic markets like the U.S., India, and Europe are dramatically reducing their use of Chinese-made drones and demanding alternative solutions. Anyone who wants to export to these regions must develop a product independent of China.

Chinese drones served us well in a moment of crisis, but they are not a permanent answer. Continuing to rely on them is a strategic error. Israel must decide whether it chooses to invest in a secure, innovative, and sovereign technological future, or whether it continues to rely on a foreign industry controlled by a rival power.

The choice is ours, and the time to make it is now.

Rotem Mey-Tal is the CEO of Asgard Systems and Founder of Robel Innovations.