By Ahmed Abdelsalam
The US military has banned vehicles made by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD at Kadena airbase in Okinawa, Japan, citing an "unacceptable and unmitigable risk" to personnel and operations. The restriction took effect this week and applies to all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis, and delivery vehicles.
Ban takes effect this week
Security personnel at the base gates have been instructed to block BYD vehicles and direct drivers to turn around. The measure was announced by Lieut Col Alli Stormer, a spokesperson for the US Air Force 18th Wing at Kadena, who said the vehicles present an unacceptable risk to the mission.
Strategic importance of Kadena
Kadena is the largest US Air Force base in East Asia and would be directly involved in responding to a crisis involving China, Russia, or North Korea. The base hosts the Typhon missile system, capable of firing Tomahawk missiles up to 1,600 km, as well as fighter jets, aerial refuelling aircraft, and surveillance and reconnaissance planes.
Concerns over vehicle technology
The ban reflects broader concerns that vehicle-mounted technologies such as cameras, sensors, and GPS devices could be used to collect sensitive information. It is part of wider Western efforts to restrict Chinese smart technology in vehicles, phones, and other devices. In June, the Pentagon added BYD to a list of 188 Chinese firms believed to have ties to China's military.
Previous bans and reciprocal measures
The US Defence Department banned the sale and use of smartphones from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE at military bases worldwide in 2018, also citing security concerns. China imposed similar restrictions on US-made Tesla vehicles, barring them from some government compounds in 2021 before lifting the ban in 2024.
BYD's global expansion
BYD overtook Tesla as the world's largest seller of battery-electric vehicles in 2025 and is expanding overseas, including in Japan where it launched its Racco electric minicar in July.
