2026-01-16 19:33
publication
2026-01-16 19:33
Work is underway to restrict the entry of Chinese-made vehicles into protected military units and facilities, the press service of the Ministry of National Defense told PAP. As emphasized, the issue of data collected by Chinese vehicles is of interest to the services.
According to unofficial information from Polish Radio, in the near future the Chief of the General Staff, General Wiesław Kukuła, is to issue an order banning the entry of Chinese-made vehicles into the premises of military units, as well as, for example, parking lots next to the units.
This decision is due to the security of information collected by these vehicles – modern cars have a number of various types of sensors and cameras collecting data about the car's location or its immediate surroundings. In the wrong hands, such data could be used, for example, to create maps of units, monitor their surroundings or track soldiers.
The press service of the Ministry of National Defense, in response to PAP's questions, confirmed on Friday that The issue of the safety of using Chinese vehicles is of interest to the services. “In 2025, the Military Counterintelligence Service issued guidelines on how to protect military facilities in connection with the threats resulting from the use of various devices manufactured in China,” it was emphasized.
The press service of the Ministry of National Defense added that “currently, as part of the applicable security procedures, work is underway to limit the entry of Chinese-made vehicles into protected military units and facilities, as well as to connect business phones and other data carriers with systems installed in this type of vehicles.”
However, it is not yet known when the order of the Chief of the General Staff could enter into force and what its exact scope would be.
At the end of last year, the Center for Eastern Studies published a report which emphasized that the ongoing expansion of the so-called smart cars from Chinese manufacturers raise national security concerns. These are modern cars with an integrated computer system managing all vehicle functions.
The author of the report, Paulina Uznańska, pointed out that although all car companies are trying to develop and implement these technologies, the People's Republic of China (PRC) is currently becoming the global leader in this area. The share of Chinese passenger vehicles in sales in Poland reached approximately 7%. after the first nine months of 2025, and in October alone it exceeded 10%.
According to OSW analysts data collected by these vehicles – e.g. while driving near critical infrastructure facilities or military units – can be very valuable for intelligence services unfriendly countries; they also warned against the possible use of cars to carry out terrorist acts remotely.
According to data from the Automotive Market Research Institute SAMAR, in December 2025, 9,821 new Chinese cars were registered in Poland, i.e. 427 percent. more than in December 2024. In total, models of Chinese brands accounted for 14.5 percent in December. all newly registered passenger cars in Poland. Throughout last year, 49,000 buyers were found on the Polish market. 161 Chinese cars. (PAP)
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