May 8, 2023
A Chinese-made drone deemed grounded by Defence and black-listed by the US military is still being used by the Australian Border Force sparking fears the high-risk technology could compromise the agency’s “highly sensitive” operations.
The Coalition is calling for the ABF to follow the Australian Defence Force in suspending the use of drones and other products manufactured by controversial Chinese company Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) pending a security audit.
It can be revealed the ABF has purchased 41 DJI drones since 2017, including 37 acquired between February and June last year, many of which are currently being used part of a trial exploring how remote systems could enhance its operational capability.
The agency also has hundreds of batteries, controllers, charging stations and several thermal and night vision cameras produced by DJI.
The use of this equipment was banned in the US by the Pentagon more than six months ago due to concerns about the Chinese company’s possible military links and cyber security vulnerabilities.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said the US moved against DJI because the company was “controlled by the People’s Liberation Army” and had been sanctioned “for their involvement in the Chinese Communist Party’s repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang”.
After it was revealed the ADF was using hundreds of DJI drones, the federal government last month ordered an audit to identify, remove and ban any technology considered inappropriate.
But on Friday Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty and Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell reportedly signed an order to suspend the use of all DJI products until the government-ordered audit was completed.
“In 2020, the Australian Border Force (ABF) identified a potential role for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to enhance and complement the ABF’s existing capabilities, and align with other law enforcement and border control agencies utilising RPAS,” a statement from Home Affairs responding to the question said.
“In 2021, the ABF established an RPAS Capability Project to test, trial and implement an RPAS capability for the agency.
“Due to the impact of Covid-19, the project has been delayed and currently remains in the trial stage.”
Asked if the ABF would ground its DJI fleet, an ABF spokesman said the technology trial was not “embedded” in current operations.
Mr Paterson said the ABF should “follow their colleagues” in the ADF and cease flying the Chinese-made drones pending a similar review.
“If it’s not safe to use in our military it should be nowhere near our highly sensitive border protection operations either,” he said.
“The Albanese government should urgently investigate lower-risk alternatives to DJI for all Commonwealth departments and agencies.”
All Chinese companies headquartered in the country, like DJI, must comply with 2017 national security laws requiring them to hand over data at the request of China’s intelligence agencies.
In response to a Question on Notice the ABF confirmed it has purchased of 41 DJI drones and 379 other accessories manufactured by the controversial company in the past six years as part of a trial.
“The ABF adheres to strict cyber security measures with DJI technology to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all official information generated through or during the use of this technology,” he said.
“The ABF is working closely with partner agencies on its RPAS cyber security measures to ensure they remain contemporary and fit-for-purpose.”
