Tuesday, December 5, 2023
 
 

US officials ground Chinese-made drones over cybersecurity fears

EPA-EFE/ALEKSANDAR PLAVEVSKI
A view of a Chinese unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) displayed along with YJ-9E anti-ship missiles (L, front) and other multi-purpose air-to-surface missiles during a military airshow in Zhuhai, Guangzhou province, China, 05 November 2018. The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, China's solely international aerospace trade show, runs until 11 November 2018. Organizers refer the show as under the guidance of Chinese President 'Xi Jinping's thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era to further encourage innovation.'

- Advertisement -

Just months after it approved them, the US Department of the Interior has grounded its fleet of 810 Chinese-made drones amid fears they could leave sensitive information vulnerable to hacking.
“Drones for non-emergency operations will remain grounded while the Interior Department reviews the possibility of potential threats and ensures a secure, reliable and consistent drone policy that advances our mission while keeping America safe”, Carol Danko, a spokesperson of the department said, confirming the US’ espionage fears.
Danko added some drone operations will continue to be allowed in emergency situations, including search and rescue operations and natural disasters: “We’ve had only 12 drone flights since that time for emergency operations related to fires and floods”.
In October, the drones were temporarily grounded, but the order is now extended. A Pentagon official said that the grounding order does not specifically mention Chinese drones, but “there is an emphasis on Chinese-made drones without question”.
The department also said that the order will remain in effect until it is revoked, and that it does not include an expiration date.

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

Latest

Playing politics with EU veto power – a very old game

In late November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, standing alongside...

Africa will watch the DRC’s elections with bated interest

2023 and 2024 are going to be busy years...

Ukraine, Middle East will dominate Cameron’s UK foreign policy agenda

David Cameron, who was made Foreign Secretary in a...

Don't miss

Playing politics with EU veto power – a very old game

In late November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, standing alongside...

Africa will watch the DRC’s elections with bated interest

2023 and 2024 are going to be busy years...

Ukraine, Middle East will dominate Cameron’s UK foreign policy agenda

David Cameron, who was made Foreign Secretary in a...

What will it take to prevent a Gaza reconstruction fiasco?

Let us be unequivocal about the current war between...

What will it take to prevent a Gaza reconstruction fiasco?

Let us be unequivocal about the current war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas - the latter declared this war on Israeli...

New US actions against corruption and Russian malign influence in the Western Balkans

On November 16, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, known by its acronym OFAC, designated eight individuals and six...

Breaking Europe’s hold on football

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar brought together nations from around the world, and 1.5 billion people tuned in to watch the final. But...

US announces Israel’s acceptance into the Visa Waiver Program

Israeli citizens will be allowed visa-free entry into the United States by the end of November when Israel officially becomes the 41st member of...

US Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery announced

President Joe Biden announced on September 14 the appointment of Penny Pritzker as the US Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery.In this role, she...

US-ASEAN establish a research center in Washington, D.C.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who was in Jakarta for a US-ASEAN Summit on September 6, announced Washington’s decision to establish a joint center with...

US-UK Strategic Sanctions Dialogue inaugurated

Building on the unique economic and security partnership between the two nations, the US Department of State hosted a senior UK government delegation for...

Strong US support for Minnesota’s 2027 Expo bid

The next General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions, better known by its acronym ‘BIE’, will take place June 20-21 in Paris where...