The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has announced restrictions on the use of its 973 Chinese-manufactured drones, citing significant security risks due to their country of origin. These drones account for approximately 80% of the RCMP’s fleet of 1,230 remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) utilized for surveillance along the Canada-U.S. border and in various law enforcement activities.
In response to queries from the national security committee of the Senate, the RCMP disclosed that replacing the Chinese drones would incur a cost exceeding $30 million, translating to around $35,000 per device. The higher expenses are attributed to the nearly double cost of non-Chinese alternatives, as stated by the RCMP.
Security experts have raised concerns about the communication and data transmission systems of the Chinese drones, highlighting potential vulnerabilities. Ygal Bendavid, a professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, emphasized the security risks associated with any connected device.
Acknowledging the risks, the RCMP has imposed limitations on the Chinese drones, restricting their data transmission during flight and assigning them to non-sensitive operations such as search and rescue missions, vehicle theft investigations, and community policing. The RCMP confirmed that these drones are never deployed in emergency response scenarios, protection of VIPs, border security tasks, or joint operations with U.S. counterparts.
For critical operations, the RCMP relies on drones from France, the United States, and Belgium, totaling 112, 96, and 24 units respectively. A small percentage of drones, categorized as custom or part of research and development, have unlisted origins. The RCMP clarified that the Chinese drones were procured before the restrictions were implemented in 2023, underscoring their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional aircraft.
In response to the Senate committee, the RCMP highlighted the efficiency of RPAS in investigative activities, emphasizing their ability to access remote areas and streamline resource allocation. Experts emphasized the need for caution in deploying Chinese drones, given the uncertainty surrounding the origin of various components and systems.
Looking ahead, experts recommended centralized procurement and rigorous security assessments for drone acquisitions by federal agencies, prioritizing Canadian vendors and supply chains for security-related drone purchases.