Kadena Air Base Bans BYD Cars Over Security Risk

The US Air Force 18th Wing at Kadena airbase in Okinawa, Japan, banned all vehicles manufactured by the Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD on Tuesday. The restriction took effect this week and applies to every BYD model on the installation, including private cars, taxis, and delivery trucks. Security guards at the base gates were ordered to stop these vehicles and direct drivers to turn around.

Lieut Col Alli Stormer, a spokesperson for the wing, said the cars pose an “unacceptable and unmitigable risk” to military personnel and their missions. The decision reflects growing anxiety within the US military about potential data leaks from vehicle-mounted technology, such as cameras, sensors, and GPS units. Officials have not identified a specific threat at Kadena, but the ban aligns with a wider Western effort to limit Chinese smart technology in military environments.

Kadena is the largest US Air Force base in East Asia and serves as a primary hub for responding to crises involving China, Russia, or North Korea. The base houses Typhon missile systems capable of firing Tomahawk missiles up to 1,600 kilometers, placing parts of China and Russia within range. It also hosts fighter jets and aircraft used for refueling, surveillance, and reconnaissance, according to the wing's website.

The move follows a Pentagon designation in June that added BYD to a list of 188 Chinese firms believed to have ties to the Chinese military. That blacklist also includes automaker Nio, e-commerce giant Alibaba, and internet firm Baidu. Beijing protested the inclusion, but the US maintained its concerns about state-linked technology. This action mirrors a 2018 ban on Huawei and ZTE smartphones at US military bases worldwide.

BYD has not yet issued a public response to the Kadena ban. The company overtook Tesla as the world's top seller of battery-electric vehicles in 2025. It is currently expanding its overseas presence, including in Japan, the world's fourth-largest auto market. In July, BYD launched its Racco electric minicar in Japan, aiming to compete in a market dominated by domestic brands with a small, cost-efficient vehicle.

China has implemented similar measures against US brands. In 2021, Beijing barred Tesla vehicles from some government compounds due to security concerns over their cameras. That restriction was lifted in 2024 after Tesla received an endorsement from the country's top auto industry association.