Globes and Mako report that the IDF Army Headquarters Procurement Directorate has placed orders for thousands of multicopters from two Chinese manufacturers, DJI and Autel Robotics, which dominate the civilian drone market.
These drones have been extensively utilized by the IDF in Gaza since the start of the conflict for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, including indoor operations. However, up to this point, they have primarily been acquired through donations from volunteers and various organizations, rather than centralized procurement.
It's worth noting that the United States has prohibited its security forces from using DJI equipment due to concerns regarding information security and cybersecurity.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that the procurement of various drone types aligns with the tasks facing the IDF, with purchased devices undergoing necessary checks and modifications.
Cheap and readily available Chinese-made drones have seen widespread use in military conflicts in recent years. For instance, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense recently acquired a batch of 4,000 drones from China, including models from DJI.
