The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reportedly begun recalling approximately 700 Chinese-made vehicles from senior officers, citing significant security concerns. This move follows a directive issued earlier this year that banned all Chinese-manufactured cars from entering IDF military bases.
According to reports on November 2, 2025, by the Israeli financial paper Calcalist and the Yisrael Hayom daily, the recall targets lieutenant colonels and colonels. The vehicles being collected are primarily the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro model, which had been issued to officers with large families as part of a leasing program since 2022.
The recall is the latest step in a growing counter-espionage effort within the Israeli defense establishment. Officials have repeatedly warned that the advanced technology integrated into many Chinese “smart” cars poses a direct security threat.
The concern is that the vehicles’ systems—which include sophisticated cameras, microphones, sensors, and constant internet connectivity—could be used as “mobile intelligence platforms.” Defense officials fear these systems could be exploited to collect and transmit sensitive data, such as audio from conversations, video of military installations, and precise geolocation, back to servers in China.
This action follows a series of escalating restrictions. Earlier in 2025, the IDF’s C4I Corps (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) base first restricted Chinese vehicles from parking in sensitive areas. This was later expanded to a total ban on Chinese-made cars entering all military bases.
Despite the “sterilization” of some media systems in the vehicles already in use, security experts, including founders of the Shin Bet’s cyber division, warned these measures were insufficient. The IDF has now opted to remove the vehicles from service with high-ranking officers entirely. The IDF has declined to officially comment on the reports.
