New Era in Israeli Military Drone Procurement as IDF Purchases Thousands from Chinese Manufacturers

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Army Headquarters Procurement Directorate has recently placed orders for thousands of multicopter drones from two Chinese manufacturers, DJI and Autel Robotics, according to reports from Globes and the Mako website. These drones have been actively used by the IDF in Gaza for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering since the start of the conflict. Previously, the drones used were provided as “gifts” by volunteers and organizations, but this marks a shift to centralized procurement.

It’s worth noting that the United States has banned its security forces from using DJI equipment due to information security and cybersecurity concerns. However, the IDF press office stated that the drones being purchased are selected based on the tasks they need to perform, and undergo necessary checks and modifications.

Cheap and affordable Chinese-made drones have become increasingly popular in military conflicts, with some countries like Ukraine also recently purchasing a large batch of drones from China. These drones play a crucial role in gathering intelligence and conducting reconnaissance in conflict zones.

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