Key Takeaways
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is limiting the use of its Chinese-made drones to non-sensitive operations due to "high security risks" related to their country of origin.
- The RCMP’s fleet of drones is approximately 80% Chinese-made, with the remaining 20% coming from other countries such as France, the United States, and Belgium.
- Replacing the Chinese drones would cost over $30 million, with non-Chinese drones being nearly twice as expensive.
- The RCMP is taking precautions to mitigate potential security risks by restricting the drones’ in-flight transmission of data and dedicating them to non-sensitive operations.
Introduction to the Issue
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has announced that it will be limiting the use of its Chinese-made drones to non-sensitive operations, citing "high security risks" related to their country of origin. This decision comes as a result of concerns over the potential risks associated with the drones’ communication and data-transmission systems. The RCMP’s fleet of drones is comprised of approximately 1,230 remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), with about 80% of these being Chinese-made. This large proportion of Chinese drones has raised concerns among experts, who warn that any connected device can pose security vulnerabilities.
Security Risks and Concerns
Experts such as Ygal Bendavid, a professor specialized in operations management at the Université du Québec à Montréal, have highlighted the potential security risks associated with the use of Chinese drones. "Any connected device raises questions about security vulnerabilities," Bendavid stated. The concerns surrounding Chinese drones are related to the potential risks of data transmission and communication systems, which could be compromised by the device’s country of origin. Wesley Wark of the Centre for International Governance Innovation noted that the RCMP seems to have found the right solutions to its use of Chinese drones, but emphasized that "mitigation after the fact is always a second-best option."
Mitigating Security Risks
In order to mitigate the potential security risks associated with the use of Chinese drones, the RCMP is taking several precautions. The drones’ in-flight transmission of data is being restricted, and they are being dedicated to "non-sensitive operations" such as those involving missing persons, car thefts, and community policing. The RCMP has stated that it never uses Chinese drones for activities involving emergency response teams, the protection of VIPs such as ministers and foreign dignitaries, border integrity operations, and investigations with U.S. authorities. Instead, the RCMP relies on drones from other countries, including France, the United States, and Belgium, for these more sensitive operations.
Cost and Practicality
The use of drones has been a cost-effective alternative to deploying planes or helicopters for investigative operations, according to the RCMP. The devices offer significant savings in time and money, especially compared to traditional methods. However, replacing the Chinese drones would come at a significant cost, with estimates suggesting that it would cost over $30 million to replace them. This is due to the fact that non-Chinese drones are nearly twice as expensive as their Chinese counterparts. The RCMP has stated that the Chinese drones were purchased before it began restricting their use in 2023, and that they have been a valuable tool in a variety of police operations.
Future Purchases and Security
Experts such as Wark have emphasized the need for caution when it comes to the purchase of drones for security purposes. "In future, all drone purchases by federal agencies for security purposes should be centralized and security vulnerability tests should be performed on them as a matter of course," Wark stated. Additionally, Wark suggested that purchases of small drones for security purposes should prioritize Canadian manufacturers and supply chains. This would help to mitigate the potential security risks associated with the use of drones from other countries, particularly those with questionable security track records. By taking a more cautious and strategic approach to drone purchases, the RCMP and other federal agencies can help to ensure the security and integrity of their operations.