India Cancels Contracts for 400 Drones With Chinese Parts Over Security Concerns

India has strictly prohibited its security agencies from using Chinese drones due to concerns over espionage threats, according to an expert.

An aerial drone sprays water mist, which is tasked with flying around the city's pollution hotspots to clear dust and harmful particulate matter from the air, in New Delhi, India, on Nov. 8, 2024. Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images

NEW DELHI—India has scrapped three contracts for 400 drones for its military because they included Chinese components, which an expert says could threaten the country’s defense.

The canceled contracts, worth $26 million (RS 230 crores), include those for 200 medium-altitude, 100 heavyweight, and 100 lightweight logistics drones, the Times of India reported on Feb. 7.