Many have long suspected that China routinely buries spyware in electronic components and software it sells overseas. According to a new report, that’s exactly what they’re doing with British-made drones that were taught to phone home.
Information was allegedly being sent directly back to the Chinese Communist Republic:
Royal Navy spy drones used by Britain’s elite special forces secretly sent data to China, The Telegraph can reveal.
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 9, 2026
The cameras on the K3 Scout surveillance drones had components made in China which were secretly transmitting information to a device in the country.
The Royal… pic.twitter.com/wDeps32i04
Royal Navy spy drones used by Britain’s elite special forces secretly sent data to China, The Telegraph can reveal.
The cameras on the K3 Scout surveillance drones had components made in China which were secretly transmitting information to a device in the country.
The Royal Marines have been using the £12m fleet since March and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was forced to remove all internet connectivity from the cameras after discovering the breach.
Although the drones weren’t manufactured in China, the cameras were discovered to be compromised:
The drones were supplied by a major British defence contractor, Kraken Technology Group, which sourced the cameras from a third party who had given assurances about their security.
An investigation into the drones revealed that the cameras were transmitting “heartbeat communications” – data to confirm they were online and functioning normally – to an IP address in China. The MoD insisted that there was no evidence that any sensitive data or systems had been sent abroad.
Just because they can’t find evidence of crucial information being transmitted doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Whoever put spyware in those cameras presumably didn’t do it for fun.
More: America’s Top Generals Walked Straight Into China’s Influence Machine
Concerning Report on What China May Be Supplying to Iran Prompts a Trump Warning to Xi
The Brits have long been concerned that China is behind numerous major espionage efforts.
Concerns about China-linked cyber activity have risen sharply in recent years. In April, the National Cyber Security Centre issued a security advisory regarding covert networks, built from compromised routers and other edge devices. Beijing is also rarely far from the headlines when spying and covert operations are involved. In January, a China-linked group was accused of spying on the phones of aides to UK prime ministers.
We’re certainly not immune to the threat here in the United States, and the Trump administration has taken steps to reduce our reliance on foreign tech. It remains a tricky problem, though:
Concerns over potential national-security threats posed by Chinese-made components and machinery extend far beyond the U.K. In the U.S., a congressional probe previously found that Chinese cargo cranes at U.S. ports had been equipped with technology that could allow China’s government to potentially gain remote access to the machines….
The U.S. banned all types of new Chinese drones and components late last year. But establishing the provenance of tiny components in the drone sector is challenging.
Ten years ago, the Port of Miami purchased 13 of these cranes for $11M each.
— Christian Bello (@NoRiskNoParty) March 31, 2024
Where did they originate, you wonder? That's right, China.
These cranes allow for a full cargo vessel to be unloaded in less than 24 hours - a task that previously took a week.
Just six days ago,… pic.twitter.com/dREL3IhFPv
Ten years ago, the Port of Miami purchased 13 of these cranes for $11M each.
Where did they originate, you wonder? That's right, China.
These cranes allow for a full cargo vessel to be unloaded in less than 24 hours - a task that previously took a week.
Just six days ago, maintenance crews discovered cellular modems inside these Chinese cranes.
Consequently, a cybersecurity claim was filed given these devices were not part of the contract.
The Cold War against China may persist, but U.S. sea ports remain enamored with Chinese cranes - 80% of the nations' cranes are made in China.
China government said that our claims are just paranoia.
Do you agree?🤔
If you always feel like someone is watching you, it’s probably because you’re right.
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