A security scandal has emerged in Norway after the Nettavisen outlet reported a major breach during a military exercise. Rented Chinese-made vehicles were recorded filming Norwegian soldiers without their knowledge. This incident occurred in September 2026 during Operasjon Hovedstad (Operation Capital City), which aimed to simulate the defence of Oslo Airport in the event of conflict.
What began as a logistical decision to rent cars became a major security issue. Soldiers noticed that some vehicles, including models from the Chinese brand Deepal, were recording videos of their activities without permission, capturing footage of personnel, routes, and sensitive defensive positions. Alarmingly, the cameras also recorded soldiers entering top-secret security codes to access military sites.
The exercise used vehicles rented from Hertz, a reputable car rental company whose operations in the Scandinavian region are reportedly overseen by the Chinese automotive manufacturer Geely. Contemporary Chinese vehicles are equipped with sophisticated cameras, microphones, and continuous internet connectivity, which raises potential security concerns in a military context.
The primary issue is that Norwegian authorities have not yet established with certainty whether the collected videos and other data were automatically transmitted to external servers in China. Despite this risk, Norwegian soldiers were required to use these vehicles until the exercise officially ended because of an extended shortage of alternative transportation options.
The situation has sparked intense debate in the Norwegian parliament, with opposition politicians and defence experts calling for an urgent review of military procurement contracts with companies linked to Chinese capital. Critics warn that a significant lapse in operational security is unacceptable amid rising geopolitical tensions.
An investigation is ongoing to understand how certain vehicles passed safety checks and were approved for military use. This raises concerns about how a NATO member bordering Russia could allow vehicles from Chinese brands like Geely-associated Deepal into service.
This incident serves as a warning for NATO. NATO must thoroughly review defence procurement contracts, prioritising security over the lowest price or immediate availability. Also, Norway now faces critical questions about military administration and potential compromises to security protocols.
