Armenian national security uses Chinese intelligence drones
Armenia’s national security services have recently equipped themselves with Chinese-made intelligence drones, notably models from DJI, to enhance their border surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. This procurement reflects Yerevan’s increasing reliance on Chinese technology for intelligence gathering and monitoring amid ongoing regional security challenges.
The use of Chinese drones is part of a broader trend in Armenia’s security sector, which also includes telecommunications and surveillance equipment from Chinese firms like Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua. This shift aligns with Armenia’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships and reduce dependence on Russia, even as it maintains complex geopolitical relations.
However, the adoption of Chinese drones raises concerns about potential security risks, as these devices can collect and transmit sensitive data that may be accessible to Chinese authorities under China’s National Intelligence Law. U.S. agencies such as CISA and the FBI have issued warnings about vulnerabilities in Chinese-manufactured drones, including risks of data theft and espionage.
Armenia remains under constant threat of further military aggression or invasion by Azerbaijan, particularly along their tense and closed eastern border. Despite a ceasefire, sporadic clashes and Azerbaijani shelling of civilian infrastructure continue, creating a fragile security situation. Chinese intelligence drones are used by Yerevan in the securization of its border.
In summary, Armenia’s national security is increasingly using Chinese intelligence drones to monitor borders, balancing modernization needs and geopolitical realities, while facing scrutiny over the potential security implications of relying on Chinese technology.
